What Genres Did Musical Theatre Influence?

Musical Theatre|Theater

Musical theatre has been a beloved and important part of performing arts for centuries, and its influence is still felt today in a variety of genres. Musical theatre has had a profound effect on both musical genres and theatrical performances, creating a unique form of art that blends music and storytelling.

One genre that has been heavily influenced by musical theatre is jazz. Jazz originated from African American spirituals and songs, but it was through the addition of musical theatre techniques that jazz became more complex.

Jazz musicians began to incorporate more intricate melodies, harmonies, and rhythms into their music, drawing inspiration from the composers of popular Broadway shows. Additionally, jazz singers began to adopt the vocal techniques used in musical theatre performances in order to add dynamic and emotion to their performances.

Musical theatre also had a strong influence on pop music. Pop songs often feature catchy melodies, simple chord progressions, and memorable lyrics, which are all elements seen in many musical theatre compositions.

Additionally, many pop artists have drawn inspiration from classic Broadway shows in order to create their own unique sound.

Rock music is another genre that has been heavily influenced by musical theatre. Rock musicians have adopted many of the same techniques used in musical theatre performances such as call-and-response vocals and dramatic flourishes. Additionally, many rock songs possess an emotional intensity that comes directly from musical theatre.

Conclusion:

Musical Theatre has had a significant impact on the development of several different genres of music including jazz, pop, and rock. Its influence is seen in everything from the incorporation of complex melodies and harmonies to the adoption of vocal techniques used by Broadway performers.