Popular music

The 19th century singer Jenny Lind in La sonnambula

1929 record with a song by Walter Donaldson and Edgar Leslie, cover

Popular music is music that many people like. Usually, popular music can be performed by people with little or no musical training. Usually, the music industry distribute popular music to a wide audience. The term is in contrast to art music, which needs musical training to be performed. It is also different from traditional folk music. Pop music is a kind of popular music. Many people use the two terms as synonyms.

Popular music started in the 17th century Bourgeoisie. The phonograph as well as industrialisation made it possible to create and distribute phonographic records. In the 19th century, these were responsible for the success of popular music. Later the radio, as well as shows in theatres, and movies were used to distribute popular music.