During the 1960's Rock 'n' Roll evolved into more guitar-dominated music known simply as rock. Like the 12-bar blues rock songs ten to be based around the chords 1, 4 & 5. Songs are often in 4/4 with a steady drum rhythm & follow a verse - chorus structure.
What? Western Rock music from the 1970's & 1980's
Where? America & England
When? 1970's - 1980's
Who? Led Zepplin, The Eagles, Jimmy Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple etc
Structure - As rock developed so did the structure (this tended to mean longer songs!). At first the structures were similar to the Rock 'n' Roll of the 1950's & early 1960's but as time moved on Rock bands became more experimental, adding long guitar/drum solo's, psychedelic jams & even concept albums that were one long piece of music.
Instruments - As rock music developed, more instruments were added. In some songs bands might use a string section, a brass section or a wind section. They also may have used keyboard instruments such as Synthesisers, Hammond Organs and Pianos. This is in addition to the standard instruments of Drums, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar and Vocals
Sub-Genres - Over time, rock has branched into a number of sub-genres such as Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Glam Rock, Arena Rock, Progressive (Prog) Rock and Punk Rock.
Classic Rock songs are known as Anthems. They usually have memorable, singable choruses.
What? Western Rock music from the 1970's & 1980's
Where? America & England
When? 1970's - 1980's
Who? Led Zepplin, The Eagles, Jimmy Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple etc
Structure - As rock developed so did the structure (this tended to mean longer songs!). At first the structures were similar to the Rock 'n' Roll of the 1950's & early 1960's but as time moved on Rock bands became more experimental, adding long guitar/drum solo's, psychedelic jams & even concept albums that were one long piece of music.
Instruments - As rock music developed, more instruments were added. In some songs bands might use a string section, a brass section or a wind section. They also may have used keyboard instruments such as Synthesisers, Hammond Organs and Pianos. This is in addition to the standard instruments of Drums, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar and Vocals
Sub-Genres - Over time, rock has branched into a number of sub-genres such as Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Glam Rock, Arena Rock, Progressive (Prog) Rock and Punk Rock.
Classic Rock songs are known as Anthems. They usually have memorable, singable choruses.
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Tempo
Moderate to Medium Fast (Allegro Moderato) 110-120 bpm. 4/4 Time Signature. Strong steady “Rock Beat”. |
Harmony & Tonality
Early Rock uses mainly Primary Chords (I, IV & V) but later Rock uses Auxiliary Chords, Chromatic Chords, Added Sixth Chords, First and Second Inversion Chords and Altered Note Chords. Power Chords (chords which don’t contain the 3rd e.g. C5) are a key feature of Rock Music and Modulations (in the Bridge section) became more common. |
Melody
Performed by the lead singer with lyrical vocal phrases featuring repeated patterns. The lead Electric Guitar plays Strong Guitar Riffs based on short sections of the main melody. |
Dynamics
Due to heavy amplification, Rock Music is designed to be performed very loudly – Fortissimo (ff). |
Rhythm
Strong and Driving Rhythms. Incessant Drumming Patterns. Use of a heavy Bass Drum and continuation of use of Backbeat (emphasising the 2nd and 4th beats of the bar on the Snare Drum). |
Texture
Homophonic (Melody and Accompaniment) Texture although thick Polyphonic Textures are often used when singers, guitars and drums play different rhythms at the same time. |
Articulation
Effects added to guitars: Distortion, Echo, Reverb, Overdrive, Delay, Wah-wah and Feedback (the noise made when a mic or guitar are too close to a speaker). |
Accompaniment
Lead singer accompanied by band that provide the accompanying rhythm, bass line and chords, although there are opportunities for virtuosic instrumental solos. |
Form & Structure
Verse-Chorus Form. Long Intros. Modulation in the Bridge (extended instrumental solo improvisation). Memorable Chorus. Rock Songs often of longer duration – some 7-8 minutes. |
Vocal Performance & Technique
Mainly male vocal lead-singer singing with a growly, raspy and husky-style of singing using very high pitch screams singing with Vibrato but not Falsetto. |
Technology
Amplification technology developed – louder volumes. New sounds and effects: Distortion, Wah-wah, Delay, Overdrive. Multi-track recording created increasingly complex textures. |
Venue
Louder amplification = increasingly larger audiences in stadiums, sports arenas and pop festivals. Performances feature special effects – light shows and pyrotechnics. |