Basics of Rock and Roll

Rock styles Certain types of rock music that share characteristicsCertain types of rock music that share characteristics Often from a particular time period or locationOften from a particular time period or location

Rhythm –Regulates movement of music through time –Basic unit = beat –Regular pulse heard in most music –Organized in measures or bars

Measure or Bar Group of beatsGroup of beats Number of beats in a measure is determined by the time signature (aka meter)Number of beats in a measure is determined by the time signature (aka meter) In popular music, usually 4 In popular music, usually 4

Backbeat In Classical music, accent on first and third beat of every barIn Classical music, accent on first and third beat of every bar In blues, jazz, and most rock, accent is on the backbeat = second and fourth beatsIn blues, jazz, and most rock, accent is on the backbeat = second and fourth beats

Elements of rock styles: Rhythmic Accent on beat, or backbeat?Accent on beat, or backbeat? Style beatStyle beat –Underlying rhythmic pulse that is common in particular musical styles  Two beat (marches, fox trot, country, honky tonk)  Four beat (swing jazz, funk)  Eight beat –Even = rock beat –Uneven = shuffle TempoTempo

Elements of rock styles: Rhythmic Syncopation - accents of melody displaced from normal metrical patternSyncopation - accents of melody displaced from normal metrical pattern If I could stick my pen in my heart And spill it all over the stage Would it satisfy ya, would it slide on by ya Would you think the boy is strange? Ain't he stra-a-nge?

Elements of rock styles TextureTexture ThickThick Thin?Thin? Medium?Medium? Does the texture change at some point in the piece?Does the texture change at some point in the piece? End-weightingEnd-weighting –Texture builds throughout –Increases tension or momentum

Melody Dominant musical lineDominant musical line In popular music, usually the vocal lineIn popular music, usually the vocal line Contains main musical ideas of pieceContains main musical ideas of piece – Motive = short, distinct figure – Riff = motive with a distinct rhythm that repeats throughout piece –Hook – text phrase or musical idea that “grabs you” – repeated frequently –Range- distance between highest and lowest note

Harmony Sounds that provide support for a melodySounds that provide support for a melody Chord - simultaneous sounding of 3 or more notes Chord - simultaneous sounding of 3 or more notes Most common in pop music = triadMost common in pop music = triad –Three notes –First, third, fifth notes of a scale Ex. C D E F G A B C Ex. C D E F G A B C – Harmonic progression – sequence of chords that define the key Harmonic progression – sequence of chords that define the key

Key Scale upon which the piece is builtScale upon which the piece is built Pattern of half and whole stepsPattern of half and whole steps Important notes: tonic (1 st ) and dominant (5th)Important notes: tonic (1 st ) and dominant (5th) Melodies frequently return to the tonicMelodies frequently return to the tonic

Basic Chord Progression I - tonic - built on the first note of the scaleI - tonic - built on the first note of the scale VIVI IV - subdominant - built on the fourthIV - subdominant - built on the fourth V - dominant - built on the fifthV - dominant - built on the fifth I

Form Structure of a song or pieceStructure of a song or piece Basic principles - repetition and contrastBasic principles - repetition and contrast Articulated byArticulated by –Lyrics –Addition or subtraction of elements = changes in texture –Alteration of other elements

Common Rock Forms Verse and refrainVerse and refrain Refrain frame: verse and refrain, but refrain occurs firstRefrain frame: verse and refrain, but refrain occurs first AABA = pop song formAABA = pop song form 12-bar blues12-bar blues

Blues Many (not all) blues lyrics aabMany (not all) blues lyrics aab (a) Mean old levee, taught me to weep and moan (b) Its got what it takes to make a mountain man leave his home

12-Bar Blues Phrase 1 (a): I I I IPhrase 1 (a): I I I I Phrase 2 (a): IV IV I IPhrase 2 (a): IV IV I I Phrase 3 (b) V IV I IPhrase 3 (b) V IV I I

Elements of rock styles: Harmonic Fast or slow harmonic rhythmFast or slow harmonic rhythm –Rate at which harmonies change –Fast - different chord every measure, or on every beat –Slow - Chord held for several measures before change

I Know….. Verse E If I could stick my pen in my heart I would spill it all over the stage Would it satisfy ya, would it slide on by ya, Would it satisfy ya, would it slide on by ya, Would you think the boy is strange? A G E A G E Ain't he stra-a-nge?

Chorus A E I said I know... it's only rock and roll, but I like it I said I know... it's only rock and roll, but I like itA I know... it's only rock and roll, E D A E E D A E but I like it, like it, yes I do A EA A EA Oh well I like it I like it I like it D A D A I said can't you see D A E D A E that this old boy has been a-lonely

Elements of rock styles Performing stylePerforming style Blues influenced?Blues influenced? Gospel?Gospel? Pop?Pop? Country?Country?

Rock ‘n’ roll as Style? Backbeat?Backbeat? Style beat?Style beat? Tempo?Tempo? Riffs/hooks?Riffs/hooks? Syncopation?Syncopation? Stylistic influences?Stylistic influences? Instrumentation?Instrumentation? Harmonic rhythm?Harmonic rhythm? Texture?Texture? Form?Form?

Jim Dandy – Laverne Baker Jim Dandy to the rescue (x3) Go Jim Dandy Jim Dandy on a mountain top/ 30,000 feet to drop He's got a lady on a runaway horse/ Uh huh, that's right, of course

Breathless – Jerry Lee Lewis Now if you love me please don't tease If I can hold then let me squeeze My heart goes round and round My love comes a tumblin' down You leave me ahhhhhhh Breathless Ah!

Elements of rock styles InstrumentationInstrumentation –Melody instrument –Rhythm instrument –Chording instrument –Bass instrument –Other: strings, horns, auxiliary percussion

Rhythm Section Drums and percussion—the heart of the rhythm section – –Establish the tempo and meter – –Establish the "feel" of a song

Bass Guitar Provides link between rhythm and harmony – –Articulates important notes of chords – –Reinforces rhythm of drums, rhythm guitar – –If song based on riff, usually in bass

Guitar Lead guitar – –Doubles melody line – –Provides countermelody and fills – –Solos Rhythm guitar – chording instrument –Provides full chords in rhythmic alignment with the drums and bass = chording instrument – –Frequently enhances snare drum part