The History of Rock and Roll Lesson 1 Pre Rock and Roll

What was there before Rock and Roll? 1700’s- 1900’s- All music was what we now consider “classical” using : string, brass, wood wind, and percussion instruments, to produce all of the music. Lyrics were only in religious songs and hymns. Flight of the Bumble Bee- Mozart Moonlight Sonata- Beethoven Symphony No. 5- Beethoven Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies- Tchaikovsky

The end of an Era World War 1. This was the first major international war that claimed the lives of many soldiers and innocent alike…it also helped to change the music that was soon to be produce. The Roaring 20’s- There was an unexpected wealth with the end of the war and this was reflected in what people, especially Americans, were doing and listening to.

The Roaring 1920’s The increased wealth saw the population seeking out the finer things in life, which meant leading a lavish lifestyle at speak easies, jazz clubs, and getting around the police looking for at that time illegal alcohol. This has become the Jazz era as we know it…the music changed from completely instrumental to include vocals and the instrumentation changed as well…much more of a hard edge sound, less or even no strings, raspy voices singing of good times. Ex. Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Glenn Miller

The Birth of Technology Not only did the new wealth of the people inspire change…but so did the technology. Radio was created in the 1920’s, this made it so music was no longer simply heard in a small region, but could be accessed across the country. The radio started out as simply news and instrumental music or religious hymns…that soon changed too! Radio shows became very popular, they had audiences tuning in every day or week to hear the latest show. ZStAEPx4STS5

Sheet Music It wasn’t only the creation of radio and the good times that helped to dictate what was popular for music…but an entire industry dedicated to writing music. The sheet music industry known and Tin Pan Ally produced 90% of the sheet music and distributed this music to radio stations…this helped to unify the sound of music.

Breaking NEWS…Another War With the outbreak of World War II in 1932 and a fresh wound of the stock market crash in 1930 the feeling in America and popular culture was down in the dumps. Music made a change back to an easier sound, less provocative lyrics, and incorporated more variety of instruments again. The Big Band Era of the 1930’s was about Dancing and forgetting the hardships, but kept society in check.

War ends and Good Times come Around…Again! After the War, soldiers were coming back home to successful independent women and because of the female workers movements during the war the North American economy was stronger than ever! When the men arrived home they assumed their roles as the bread winners and more wealth was created…more wealth equals more babies. The Baby Boom Era was “Born”.

Baby Boom and Music With some many large families being created the music changed to suite these needs. Now a more wholesome sound, focused less on dancing and more on listening. This is where the first major divide in music takes place. Country and Western, or Rhythm and Blues (R & B), popular movie or television music.

Controversy in Music These new music styles were great to listen too, but some felt they did not have the same wholesome sound that the youth at the time should be listening to. R & B (Black Music) was extremely controversial as it dealt with themes that the proper white folk just didn’t talk about…sex and alcohol “gasp”. This risky music made it more appealing to the white youth and helped to elevate this music style even more.

The Great Divide Happens…and it changes EVERYTHING Once popular music split into distinct categories it changed the landscape of music history forever! No longer did people have to listen to one particular type of music, but instead had a choice…this choice caused the industry to boom and soon Rock and Roll was born! Next Class- The 1950’s When it all Changed. Rock and Roll was Born!