EXP - What are the differences between Alternative and Contemporary R&B when it comes to musical elements?

What are the differences between Alternative and Contemporary R&B when it comes to musical elements?

Aspects of Contemporary R&B

R. Kelly - Ignition: In R. Kelly's Ignition from the beginning of the song and playing throughout there is a background synth (a wah synth) which has inspired me to add a background synth to my second track, the synth is fairly quiet compared to the rest of the mix, however since it played at the beginning of the song when there wasn't too many musical elements going on and it was clearer to hear, you can now hear it consistently in the song. Furthermore the chords played by the piano are fairly simple and bass only plays with the piano until every other drum break occurs, by this I mean what's happening in the mix at (0:26) - (0:31) this is a common occurrence throughout the song. The vocals are a key part in the song, the revolves around the vocals, and the harmonies with the vocals also play a big part as just with vocals they are using antecedent and consequent phrases, this is done when R. Kelly solo is singing and the back in vocals answer what he has sung. This also happens throughout the song but the best example would be the chorus (1:06)-(1:10). Furthermore the drums tend to be an acoustic kick drum and clap however in the background there is electronic hi-hats being played.



Nelly - Dilemma ft. Kelly Rowland: The song starts off with chords which seem to be from an electronic piano, they are very simple chords and are played throughout the song, this trait is shared with most contemporary R&B songs. Furthermore the bell synth following Kelly Rowland's chorus vocals, is similar to the synth played continuously throughout R. Kelly's Ignition. In addition the drums again seem to be acoustic drums with a clap, the use of drums in this track isn't too heavy, but there is almost always a noticeable hi-hat pattern and clap being played.



Jodeci - Freek'N You: The song starts off with a very twangy synth, quiet vocals and bells and percussion. There are also quiet drums being played at the beginning but very softly and only at the beginning of every barThe song drops once the crash hits. Similar to other contemporary R&B songs the synth that was played at the beginning. Throughout the song theres a very simple drum pattern being played which is an acoustic kit that consists of; hi-hats, a snare, clap, kick drum and toms. 

Aspects of Alternative R&B

PARTYNEXTDOOR - Persian Rugs: The song starts off with an electronic piano that plays the same sequence of chords throughout the song. The vocals follow after the chords, they aren't very powerful vocals but they add to the mix by filling the melody. After the vocals comes the electronic drums, at first it is hi-hats and a click, then snare and finally a kick. Electronic drums is a much more common trait in Alternative R&B however its not unheard of to hear electronic drums in Contemporary R&B. The track in general is quite simple, there are very few musical elements giving the song a lot of space. Although the song has a lot of space it's still a good song. 


Frank Ocean - Thinkin' Bout' You: The song starts off quite strong, lyrics going in straight away with a synth playing chords in the background which are played throughout the song. The drums also start at the beginning, they have a muffled kind of sound with echo. Similar to PND's Persian Rugs there is a lot of space in the song as there aren't too many musical elements however the vocals are a lot more prominent in this song. The vocals are the melody in the song as there aren't too many musical elements.



Post Malone - White Iverson: The song starts off with a almost like choir sound in the back ground, the main vocals then come in and a clap in the background. After a bar the electronic drums comes in.(Hi-Hats, kick drums, clap and cymbals). The hi-hats are a constant occurrence throughout the song alongside the choir like sound from the beginning which is always in the background. Furthermore in this song there aren't too many musical elements yet the song sounds full, if anymore were to be added it could potentially ruin the song as it makes use of what instruments it has.

Similarities
Between the two sub-genres, I would say the similarities would be there is always some sort of constant chord being played, In White Iverson it wasn't so much a a piano or synthesiser but a choir like sound. Furthermore both genres make use of electronic drums and acoustic drums however I would say alternative music make more use of electronic Hi-hats which I will talk about in the differences section. In addition the use of claps is also quite similar and other types of percussion, both genres use percussion in the background in some way, shape or form.

Differences
Between the two sub-genres, some of the main differences would be the heavier use of electronic drums in alternative music, since alternative music tends to use acoustic drums less there is a much bigger presence of electronic hi-hats being played a lot faster than acoustic drums, kick and tom drums being muffled with effects to give it a more spacey feel. Moreover alternative tracks tend to have more space in the song for musical elements, by this I mean there isn't as many instruments/musical elements in the song as their might be in a contemporary R&B track, whilst their is more space in the song, it doesn't ruin the song the track then just tends to emphasise on one or two particular elements for example In PnD's Persian Rugs the chords play a huge role.