Basics of Rock and RollBasics of Rock and Roll

Rock stylesRock styles

• Certain types of rock music that share Certain types of rock music that share characteristicscharacteristics

• Often from a particular time period or Often from a particular time period or locationlocation

RhythmRhythm

– Regulates movement of music Regulates movement of music through timethrough time

– Basic unit = Basic unit = beatbeat– Regular pulse heard in most musicRegular pulse heard in most music– Organized in Organized in measures measures or or barsbars

MeasureMeasure or or BarBar

• Group of beatsGroup of beats• Number of beats in a Number of beats in a

measure is determined measure is determined by the by the time signature time signature (aka(aka metermeter))• In popular music, usually In popular music, usually

44

BackbeatBackbeat

• In Classical music, accent on first and third In Classical music, accent on first and third beat of every barbeat of every bar

11 2 2 33 4 4

• In blues, jazz, and most rock, accent is on In blues, jazz, and most rock, accent is on the the backbeatbackbeat = second and fourth beats = second and fourth beats

1 1 22 3 3 44

Elements of rock styles: Elements of rock styles: RhythmicRhythmic

• Accent on beat, or backbeat?Accent on beat, or backbeat?• Style beatStyle beat

– Underlying rhythmic pulse that is common in particular Underlying rhythmic pulse that is common in particular musical stylesmusical styles Two beat (marches, fox trot, country, honky tonk)Two beat (marches, fox trot, country, honky tonk) Four beat (swing jazz, funk)Four beat (swing jazz, funk) Eight beat Eight beat

– Even = rock beatEven = rock beat

– Uneven = Uneven = shuffle shuffle

• TempoTempo

Elements of rock styles: RhythmicElements of rock styles: Rhythmic

• Syncopation Syncopation - accents of melody - accents of melody displaced from normal metrical patterndisplaced from normal metrical pattern

If I could stick my pen in my heart If I could stick my pen in my heart 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 41 2 3 4 1 2 3 4And spill it all over the stage And spill it all over the stage 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 41 2 3 4 1 2 3 4Would it satisfy ya, would it slide on by ya Would it satisfy ya, would it slide on by ya 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 41 2 3 4 1 2 3 4Would you think the boy is strange? Ain't he stra-a-nge? Would you think the boy is strange? Ain't he stra-a-nge? 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 41 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Elements of rock stylesElements 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 Texture builds throughout

– Increases tension or momentumIncreases tension or momentum

MelodyMelody• 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– MotiveMotive = short, distinct figure = short, distinct figure

– Riff Riff = motive with a distinct rhythm that repeats = motive with a distinct rhythm that repeats throughout piecethroughout piece

– HookHook – text phrase or musical idea that “grabs – text phrase or musical idea that “grabs you” – repeated frequentlyyou” – repeated frequently

– RangeRange- distance between highest and lowest - distance between highest and lowest note note

HarmonyHarmony

• Sounds that provide support for a melodySounds that provide support for a melody• ChordChord - simultaneous sounding of 3 or more notes - simultaneous sounding of 3 or more notes• Most common in pop music = Most common in pop music = triadtriad

– Three notesThree notes– First, third, fifth notes of a First, third, fifth notes of a scalescale• Ex. C D E F G A B CEx. C D E F G A B C

– 11 2 2 33 4 4 55 6 7 6 7

• Harmonic progressionHarmonic progression – sequence of chords – sequence of chords that define the that define the keykey

KeyKey

• 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: Important notes: tonictonic (1 (1stst) and ) and dominant dominant (5th)(5th)• Melodies frequently return to the tonicMelodies frequently return to the tonic

Basic Chord ProgressionBasic Chord Progression

• I - I - tonictonic - built on the first note of the - built on the first note of the scalescale

• VIVI

• IV - IV - subdominantsubdominant - built on the fourth - built on the fourth

• V - V - dominantdominant - built on the fifth - built on the fifth

• II

FormForm

• Structure of a song or pieceStructure of a song or piece

• Basic principles - repetition and contrastBasic principles - repetition and contrast

• Articulated byArticulated by– LyricsLyrics– Addition or subtraction of elements = changes Addition or subtraction of elements = changes

in texturein texture– Alteration of other elementsAlteration of other elements

Common Rock FormsCommon Rock Forms

• Verse and refrainVerse and refrain

• Refrain frame: verse and refrain, but refrain Refrain frame: verse and refrain, but refrain occurs firstoccurs first

• AABA = pop song formAABA = pop song form

• 12-bar blues12-bar blues

Blues Blues

• Many (not all) blues lyrics Many (not all) blues lyrics aabaab(a) Mean old levee, taught me to weep and (a) Mean old levee, taught me to weep and

moanmoan(a) Mean old levee, taught me to weep and (a) Mean old levee, taught me to weep and

moanmoan(b) Its got what it takes to make a mountain (b) Its got what it takes to make a mountain

man leave his homeman leave his home

12-Bar Blues12-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: Elements of rock styles: HarmonicHarmonic

• Fast or slow Fast or slow harmonic rhythmharmonic rhythm

– Rate at which harmonies change Rate at which harmonies change

– Fast - different chord every measure, or Fast - different chord every measure, or on every beaton every beat

– Slow - Chord held for several measures Slow - Chord held for several measures before changebefore change

I Know….. VerseI Know….. Verse

E E

If I could stick my pen in my heart If I could stick my pen in my heart

I would spill it all over the stageI 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? Would you think the boy is strange?

A G E A G E

Ain't he stra-a-nge? Ain't he stra-a-nge?

ChorusChorus

A A EE 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 it A A I know... it's only rock and roll, 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 but I like it, like it, yes I do A EA E AAOh well I like it I like it I like itOh well I like it I like it I like it

D AD AI said can't you see I said can't you see D A ED A Ethat this old boy has been a-lonely that this old boy has been a-lonely

Elements of rock stylesElements of rock styles• Performing stylePerforming style

• Blues influenced? Blues influenced? • Gospel?Gospel?• Pop?Pop?• Country?Country?

Rock ‘n’ roll as Style?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 BakerJim Dandy – Laverne Baker

Jim Dandy to the rescue (x3)Jim Dandy to the rescue (x3)Go Jim DandyGo Jim Dandy

Jim Dandy on a mountain top/ 30,000 feet Jim Dandy on a mountain top/ 30,000 feet to dropto drop

He's got a lady on a runaway horse/ Uh He's got a lady on a runaway horse/ Uh huh, that's right, of coursehuh, that's right, of course

Breathless – Jerry Lee LewisBreathless – Jerry Lee Lewis

Now if you love me please don't teaseNow if you love me please don't teaseIf I can hold then let me squeezeIf I can hold then let me squeezeMy heart goes round and roundMy heart goes round and roundMy love comes a tumblin' downMy love comes a tumblin' downYou leave me ahhhhhhhYou leave me ahhhhhhhBreathless Ah! Breathless Ah!

Elements of rock stylesElements of rock styles

• InstrumentationInstrumentation

– Melody instrument Melody instrument

– Rhythm instrumentRhythm instrument

– Chording instrumentChording instrument

– Bass instrumentBass instrument

– Other: strings, horns, auxiliary percussionOther: strings, horns, auxiliary percussion

Rhythm SectionRhythm Section

• Drums and percussion—the heart of the rhythm section–Establish the tempo and meter

–Establish the "feel" of a song

Bass GuitarBass 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

GuitarGuitar• Lead guitar

– Doubles melody line

– Provides countermelody and fills

– Solos

• Rhythm guitar

– Provides full chords in rhythmic alignment with the drums and bass = chording instrumentchording instrument

– Frequently enhances snare drum part