Classical music and opera seem to be the main forms of music in Italian songs. The music scene in Italy has often been influenced by war and politics. Italy is staunch in its Catholic faith and most of the church music has a opera feel. War definitely influenced church music too and instrumental music in Italy is also native and modern. The concerto and symphony were greatly applauded by many music lovers. The best Italian songs are available in rock and jazz. The regional song in folk type is often accompanied by dance, style of movement and instruments. Canzone Napolettena is a popular Italian song. 

European classical music is famous about Italy and the romantic feel is evident in the typical Italian music. There is a distinct harmony in the tone and instrument and there is no overlapping of both the elements. Experimental music with its minimalism and electronic music came in the 20th century. This has also made the original Italian music fade away. Carlo Jachino, Luigi Nono happen to be the main composers during this era. 

Opera is the main music of Italy and was made more famous during the time of Florentine Camerata. Gaetano Donizetti and Alessandro Scarlatti were the chief opera masters during this time. The opera culture declined after the World War I as the main reason can be the shift in focus and liking to romantic interests in music. Moreover this was also the time when cinema became important than theatre and the cinema hall culture became a better mode of entertainment. Somehow there were Carisch and Zerboni who helped the preservation of the melody of opera. 

Instrumental music in the form of concerts and orchestra is famous with Cherubini and Scarlatti. In the 20th century the music of instrumental variety gained prominence and by 1904 the were many patrons. Franco Alfano and Pizetti were the chief composers of instrumental music. There were many associations that encouraged the Italian music like the Venice festival of Contemporary music. 

Treating music with acoustics is the marked feature of experimental music. Here the traditional Italian music is ignored to create sound through technology. Hence there also emerged new instruments to create better modern music. Children’s songs like nursery rhymes, folk songs and lullabies are the main parts of Italian folk music. Instruments for Italian music include wind instruments mainly the flute and percussion ones like the bells, wood blocks while the harp forms the string instrument.

There is much about Italian music in pop and modern trends. The songs include Baglioni’s Questo Piccolo grande Amore and De Andre’s Bocca di rosa. There is experimental music and also instrumental music with variety. There also is a specialty with Italian war songs during 1915 where the Alpini troops invented war songs. The style was musical and the infantry further changed the song to suit their mood. The famous song during the war i.e. Monte Cannio and has a deep meaning. It talks about weary soldiers who can look up to the snow to quench their thirst and also emphasizes that it is time to leave. 

It is interesting to know that as a paradox to war, children’s life is full of joy. There are pure souls and love to participate in fun and activity. Today’s methods to teach children are modern with importance on phonics and language. But for a child the words that come for its care giver is the most melodious. Mother’s lullabies can soothe any child to sleep and the best way is to hum to the child from an early stage. 

There are folk songs that usually come down from generations as parents narrate the same songs to their future generations. The folk songs and poems are thus kept alive. There is a distinct ability in children to comprehend any kind of language. What initially may seem unintelligible to them slowly forms shape in their minds to understand the real meaning of songs and poems. 

‘Fa la ninna, Fa la nanna ‘is the best lullaby in Italian language that soothes a child to sleep in the arms of his or her mother. ‘Lucciola ‘means the firefly and this nursery rhyme is very exciting for children. ‘Batta le manine’ means clap your hands which also expresses that dad is gonna come home with some candy. Kids love action based songs and it further makes them intrigued towards more adaptation. ‘Giro Giro Tondo’ is a cute song of a chicken singing where the chicken does not wish to go to school. This also makes the children to ‘giro’ or turn around which adds to the fun. 

Every language or dialect definitely has several songs to meet occasions. Birthdays are definitely special and there are lots of wishes for the child. ‘Tanti aguri a tete’ simply means ‘so many wishes for you’. This is a simple heartfelt poem for a birthday. ‘Cincirinella’ speaks about the trotting of the mule and is a long poem and also available in another dialect. This is a happy go lucky riding song and is the tempo is liked by children.

The original melody of Italian music can be sought when one is in a mood to listen to Italian songs of folk culture. The wedding songs, lullabies and rhymes are simple melody and are interwoven with an assortion of musical instruments. Lyrics and ballads are the main songs in Italian folk culture. There are songs which depict the festivity of Christmas and others that add meaning to customs and traditions like baptism events, weddings and baby shower. In the north of Italy, Ballads seem to be more prominent whereas the south mainly is famous for lyric songs. The traces of English form is clearly evident in the Ballads. There are songs in the lyrics that highlight about work, lullabies and serenades. This is more of the traditional form. 

In the north of Italy, Yodeling exists and the Carnival is the time when there is a variety of Italian folk songs. Bands and choirs exist and Maggio festive songs are related to the epic songs and the laude is of religious value. The essence of folk music is accentuated with instruments. Instruments enhance the tune and pitch of the song. Interludes are highlight with good music. The Christmas time is when the bagpipe is heard and there are broadly three categories of instruments like the percussion, string and wind. Most songs are connected to rituals wherein it could be christening or a baby or bridal shower. The organetto or the accordion is found in chromatic variety in the north and diatonic button accordion is what is seen in the central Italy. 

Instruments in percussion for folk music also are bells, drums, rattle and a spinning staff. Flutes are of different lengths and a ceramic pitcher is also defined as a wind instrument. There are pan flutes and duct ones. The bagpipes include the beghet, zampogna and piva which changes name as per the location in Italy. The fiddle and harp are also common instruments aided in folk music. It is interesting to note that toy instruments are made from stems, fibers and barks of trees. 

The choral singing in Italy is mostly existing in the North and in the south people usually sing in a small team of two or three with a lead performer. The northern Italy believes in a ballad of not very clear lyrics whereas as rubato is followed in the south of Italy which is intense and vocal. Somehow folk music in Italy never lived up and there are many inclusions these days the advent of latest pop. 

War and political scene go a long way in changing the scenario of a country. This has hence changed the musical phase in Italy and rock resulted after war. The land of operas and ballads and a great sense of rock, hip hop and jazz showing that music is getting international and knows no boundaries.

The music culture in Italy primarily reminds us of the opera and classical church music. The changes brought by politics and war and also the depiction in each part of Italy is different to place before us a variety of music and musical instruments. The bagpipe, string instruments and flute is what is primarily used in folk music. There is a quality of meaning in children’s songs and the nursery rhymes are interactive. The shift towards romanticism altered the taste of many. 

Jazz and pop culture made its entry in Italy and the Italian pop is more famous that any other music. Italian rap songs are getting popular. Naturally the instruments used are also getting modified to suit the sound and engineering with acoustics is getting pronounced. Opera and theatre was slowly replaced with the fad for cinemas and romantic songs. It is interesting to note that the music preference in the intrinsic form of Italian music is different in the north and south of Italy. There are narrations in dialects and the languages are also imported. 

Modugno, Morando and Celentano are the chief pop musicians. The latest pop stalwarts are Zucchero, Rosso and Ramazotti. The are many ‘cantautori’ or song writers who are themselves musicians. There are war songs which depict the spirit of freedom and voice out strongly with the lyrics. The sixties saw the emergence of great musicians like Paoli and Tenco. In the 70 the music by Guccini and Vendiiti was applauded by all. There was a clear demand for film music composition as cinema was becoming popular with its entertainment value. The famous film music composers were Petrassi and Vlad. The Godfather series by Nino Rota is famous. Here the background score and sound tracks were getting popular. 

The café chantant or cabaret became another popular feature in Europe and hence this required a particular type of music composition. Hence the taste change and there emergence the caffe concerto and sciantoso or the lady performer. Then came the rock and roll bands and Broadway dancers where dance naturally accelerated the pace of music. Jazz became popular after the world war I and the Creole singers also became famous. Fusion music and Free jazz were the main branches and this also encourage jazz festivals all over Italy. 

Pop in Italy produced several hits with progressive rock bands like PFM or Premita Forneria Marconi. There were several British influences in hip hop and rap music also gained importance. The electronica and trance music was accompanied techno too. Fusion projects were also happening and there were mixed cultural bands. Ranieri was famous for his North African rhythms and arrangement of instruments.

Online music sites offer great music which is rare and popular. The forgotten era where certain music composers were popular is well captured through online possibility of downloading music. It is essential to make sure about the validity or site and also enquire the payment factor prior to downloads. Searching for legitimate sites is important as this ensure quality and respect for music. 

Legal Italian MP3 songs websites and resources: 
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Download an mp3 player for free and listen to your favourite Italian songs online. 

3. http://www.mamalisa.com/world/italy.html 
Download children’s songs. Know about the butterfly and firefly. Pure fun with easy download.

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