Music Exam 2

“Jump” bands

Small instrumental combos associated with early R&B, made up of a rhythm section (piano, drum set, bass) and one or more horn players

Nat King Cole

Skilled pianist and vocal crooner who was one of the first African Americans to cross over to the predominantly white pop charts

Easy Listening

Music with very simple rhythms and melodies, generally featuring a subdued orchestra or chorus

overdubbing

Process of layering recordings, where recorded tracks of tape are played while new ones are played at the same time

chuck berry

Pioneer in electric guitar playing and early rock ‘n’ roll artist with a heavy R&B influence

Alan Freed

Disk jockey of the 1950s who was instrumental in the spread of rock ‘n’ roll, in part by bringing R&B to the popular mainstream via radio broadcasts

Doo-wop Progression

A popular four-chord progression popularized in early rock ‘n’ roll, a.k.a. “Heart and Soul” progression

Harmonic schema shared by many rock n roll tunes, as well as many pop tunes throughout the latter half of the 20th century and even today 

Uses 1,4,5, and 6 

Ritchie Valens

Mexican American singer and guitar player famous for “La Bamba” (1958)

Rockabilly

Form of country and western music informed by the rhythms of African American R&B and electric guitar

• white audience wanted more R&B

• R&B characteristics: 12-bar form with harmonic schema, walking bass, electric guitar, heavy backbeat

• Country characteristics: twang, vocal hiccups, bottleneck technique 

Elvis Presley

Rock ‘n’ roll artist famous for his rockabilly style (vocal hiccups) and provocative dancing/movements

SRDC melodic schema

stands for Statement, Restatement, Departure, and Conclusion

Melodic pattern used in many pop/rock tunes 

4 bars per letter 

16 bar stroph 

Indicative of Rock 

Used in 60s and beyond

Tend to divide equally in half SR+DC

Phil Spector

Performer, songwriter, and sound producer, famous for his “wall of sound” and his obsession with detail

Berry Gordy Jr.

Producer of Motown music who sought to keep the business under African American (his) control and market that music to all young Americans

Verse-chorus form

Verse (V1, V2)
◦ Same music, different text
Chorus (C1, C2)
◦ Same music, same text (usually)
If no chorus present, song is in simple verse form
VCU = Verse-chorus unit (VCU1, VCU2)
◦ Complete statement of verse-chorus together
Refrain
◦ Now means one or two lines at end of a verse that reappears with same
music (no longer whole independent section)

Bridge

• occurs before last statement of chorus

Bossa Nova

Music style that blended West Coast jazz characteristics (like harmony) with Brazilian samba rhythms and Latin instruments

Concept Album

Album conceived as an integrated whole with interrelated songs, often arranged in a certain order

Motown

horn and string instrumentation

tight control of rythym

heavy backbeat that shows R&B influence

closely associated with soul

Sophisticated with elaborate melodies that not everyone can sing

Social Function 

• Counteroffensive against white people covering black artist’s songs 

• Designed to cut across race, religion, and class

Height in 1966

Jefferson Airplane

Nationally successful psychedelic rock band from San Franciso, known for its hard-edged rock style and drug imagery; led by singer Grace Slick

Jimi Hendrix

Electric guitarist whose creative use of feedback and distortion often approached the boundaries of “noise”

Blue-eyed soul

Soul (or R&B) performed by white artists singing styles traditionally associated with African Americans

Ray charles

Early soul artist who enjoyed crossover success starting in 1959; songwriter, keyboard player, and singer with a distinctive gravelly tone

“Georgia On My Mind”

• Widely credited with pioneering and popularizing soul music 

• Helped to dismantle racial barriers by blending black and white genres

• Famously refused to perform at segregated concerts

Urban Folk

Eclectic musical style inspired by rural folk music but often performed by urban intellectuals, sometimes with a political or moral message

recordings set up as sing-alongs, designed to invite audience participation 

James Brown

Later soul artist whose music focused almost exclusively on rhythm and timbre in his instrumental and vocals sounds; known for his short, catchy musical hooks (ex. “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud”)

Bob Dylan

Urban folk singer who brought folk music to the rock genre by “going electric” (adopting more rock elements, like electric guitar)

• Poetic imagery and antiwar sentiment 

• Rough vocals, guitar and harmonica, lot of connections to blues and early country

Nashville Sound

A more cosmopolitan country style characterized by smoother sounds: background vocals, string instruments, and often a crooning style with less twang

R&B

Term replaces “race record" and described music performed almost exclusively by black artists and produced mainly (at least at first) for sale to African American audiences

associated with gospel music

Big Mama Thorton

R&B artist

• Singer, drummer, harmonica player

• Sung Hound Dog before Elvis (1953)

Johnny Mathis

easy listening crooner

• “Chances Are” (1957)

• Pop ballads

• Best selling record artist

• Appealed to rock n roll fans and their parents

payola

bribing radio companies to play ur songs more

Chuck Berry

• Clever lyricist and songwriter

• Notable rock n roll vocal stylist 

• Pioneering electric guitarist 

• Hits include “Roll over Beethoven” (1956) and “School Days” (1957) and Johnny B. Goode” (1958)

Little richard

• Singer, songwriter, boogie-woogie influenced pianist 

• Flamboyant style 

• Sexual ambiguity

• “Tutti Frutti” (1956)

• rock n roll

Rock n Roll

Refers to any kind of music pitched to a large younger audience 

Origins

• Lot of R and B influence and country 

Musical characteristics

• Blues schemas 

• Doo-wop progression: I - vi - IV - V

• Keeps looping 

• 4 distinct chords

Social Function

• Purchase of records by kids as a source of rebellion against older generation’s conservatism

• Topics reflected teenage interests  

Spread

• Change in mainstream popular tastes 

Buddy Holly

• Inspired by elvis 

• Part of band called The Crickets

• Made frequent use of overdubbing

• “That’ll be the Day” 1957

• Twang and hiccups 

• Guitar technique like chuck berry (flashy)

• 12 bar blues 

electric guitar

One of the most significant aspects in popular music as country blues became more mainstream

• became indicator of rock n roll

Wanda Jackson

• Born in 1937

• “Queen of Rockabilly”

• Talented singer, instrumentalist, and songwriter 

• Recorded fierce rock songs 

• Failed to achieve mainstream popular success

• “Mean, Mean Man” (1958)

• Remained a presence even in 70s

• Performed in integrated bands 

• Refused to perform where black pianist was not allowed

The Beatles

John Lennon and George Harrison (lead and rhythm guitars and vocals), Paul Mccartney (bass and vocals) and ringo Starr (drums and occasional vocals)

Known throughout Europe and established stars in the UK by the time their first number one record hit America in 1964 - “I want to hold your Hand”

“Beatlemania”

• Mania surrounding the band 

Had talent, appeal, and unpredictability

Followed the same imitator to emulator to innovator model as the Beach Boys

Electric guitar, twang, 12-bar, casual vocals, happy vibes

The Rolling Stones

called themselves the “World’s Greatest Rock n Roll Band”

• Cultivated image as “bad boys”

• “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction”

• Whispering (sultry)

• Raspy singing 

• Lots of repetition 

• Into has Heavy electric guitar with buzzing, repeats as ostinato, hook of the song

• Tambourine 

• One harmony  

The Temptations

Motown Group

Sang “My Girl”

• consistent beat

• electric bass

• backbeat

The supremes

motown group

sang “You Can’t Hurry Love”

• Tambourine 

• Upbeat

• Electric bass 

Eric Clapton

British guitarist

r&b influences

• Influenced by robert johnson

Blues based guitar solos

Avant guard jazz music

Loud and flashy

Relationship with the Beatles

• Last minute sub for George 

“Strage Brew” 1967

• “Layla” 1971

• Flashy guitar 

• Verses different in texture 

• Bluesy guitar hook 

• Loud with distortion 

Psychedelic Rock

large use of electric guitar

Distortion pedal and overdrive 

Imagery

• Bright colors

• Florals

• Flamboyant 

Inspired by the Beatles instrumentalism 

Mix of folk rock, blues, hard rock, and latin/indian music 

Started in San Francisco 

Simon and Garfunkel

Urban folk duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel 

• Themes of politics and love

• “The Sound of Silence” (1964)

• Incorporates soft electric guitar 

• R&B/ rock elements

• Poetic social commentary 

Soul

Developed out of previous African American styles, like R&B and gospel

• Groove

• Vocals characterized by intensity and large range and call and response

• Large instrumentation than other contemporary styles 

• Easy listening orchestras

• Verse-Chorus structure usually

Subject matter

• Love

• Nostalgia

• Social issues

• Major music record labels include Tamla, Stax, and atlantic 

Sam Cooke

• “King of Soul”

• Began his career as a gospel singer; later combined influences of pop and gospel

• “You Send Me” (1957)

“A Change is Going To Come”

• Response to Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind”

• Cooke’s most political song 

• Strings, drums, soft brass

• Crooning

• Unusual for African American Artists

Aretha Franklin

soul artist

Grew up with gospel music 

First recordings at 14 were as a gospel singer 

Breakthrough as pop star in 1967 with “I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)” (1967)

Powerful and intense vocal delivery 

Patsy Cline

•  nashville sound artist

• crossover success in country and pop

• “Walkin in After Midnight” (1957)

• “I fall to pieces” and “Crazy”

Dionne Warwick

Tin Pan Alley song and jazz style

Warwick’s vocal characteristics

• Influenced by gospel, pop, and R&B

sang songs written by Burt Bacharach

disco

Tied to funk

Derived from discotech 

Mass marketed on TV

Height

• 1975 to 1980

Rose as popular alternative to rock music 

• Capitalized off of current stream of soul and Funk

Fashion included bright colors, glitter, loose fit clothing, reinstatement of classiness

Music characteristics

• Elaborate studio production sound, Consistent beat, Medium to fast tempo,verse - chorus form, Uniform texture, Processed sound, Soul and motown characteristics, Vocal harmony 

Social function

• Reaction against rock, Shifted attention away from band and toward to DJs, Escape from everyday life

pop rock

upbeat variety of rock

associated with Elton John and Paul Mccartney

Target audience

• Widest possible demographic 

Synthesizers

Singer-songwriter

Soft rock

Smoother and less aggressive

More polished

cross between urban folk and the commercial pop style of the Brill building

country pop

soft rock tinged with country

crossover accomplished by a new generation of musicians, with several approaches

Country Rock

featured amplified guitar, heavy backbeat, and some countercultural topics

• The Eagles

Elton John

• Crocidile Rock”

• Upbeat 

• Glam rock/pop rock persona 

• Verse-chorus form 

• Bass pops 

• Songwriter and pianist

stevie wonder

• pop rock artist

• Soul influence 

• Crossed over into mainstream rock 

• Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist

• Big on overdubbing

• “Superstition”

carole King

• Wrote a long of songs for other artists

• Tapestry - 1971 album whose success made them a major recording star

• Geared toward older crowd 

• “It’s Too Late” (acoustic piano, soft and subdued, 

John Denver

• country pop artist

• Started as urban folk then started adding pop elements 

• “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” 

• Turning point for when he became all out country star

dolly parton

country pop artist

• Built career on radio and TV

• Songwriter 

• Carefully crafted image as cheerful sex symbol 

• “Jolene” 

• Soft rock with country vibe 

Dance Music

popular in the 1960s

brought rock ‘n’ roll (and rock) to significantly broader audience

included popular dances like the Twist

• adults and teenagers of all ages and races were doing these dances

Brian Wilson

Founder of the Beach Boys in 1961

the band’s primary producer and songwriter

rock n roll, but blended in influences from jazz

started the band as an imitator, turned into emulator, and ended career as an innovator

southern rock

Strong blues influence (often uses 12-bar blues progressions)

Guitar-driven sound

multiple lead guitars (harmonies, solos)

Steady, driving rhythms (less complex than jazz)

“Twangy” or gritty tone (influenced by country & blues)

Lyrics/themes about the American South, everyday life, or storytelling

• Use of instruments like:

  • electric guitar, bass, drums

  • sometimes piano or organ

jazz rock

Complex rhythms and time signatures

• may shift meters (not always straight 4/4)

Advanced harmonies

• extended chords (7ths, 9ths, etc.)

Heavy improvisation

• longer, more technical solos

Instrumental focus (often fewer vocals)

• Use of instruments like:

  • electric guitar, bass, drums

  • keyboards/synths

  • saxophone or brass

Allman Brothers Band

Incorporation of elements of blues, rhythm & blues, and jazz
Powerful, extended live “jams” helped alter the norms of concert performance

miles davis

Known for a minimal, expressive trumpet sound

Played fewer notes, but made each one meaningful

Focused on mood, space, and emotion rather than speed

Blended jazz with rock, funk, and electric instruments

Worked with and launched careers of many legends

“Bitches Brew”

funk

Everything revolves around a tight, repetitive rhythm

danceable groove

Often accents the first beat of each measure

Uses syncopation (off-beat rhythms)

Guitars, horns, and keyboards

call and response

social function

• marketing African American authenticity

george clinton

funk artist

Deep funk grooves (strong bass, rhythm-focused)

Blends of:

• funk

• psychedelic rock

• soul

Known for wild, space-themed, theatrical performances

helped define P-funk sound

• One of the key figures who spread funk worldwide

• Inspired later artists across genres

• Helped make funk more than music—it became a culture and aesthetic

david Bowie

• Style: Glam rock, art rock, later pop and electronic

• Known for: Constantly reinventing his image and sound

• Musical characteristics:

  • Theatrical, dramatic performances

  • Use of alter egos (like Ziggy Stardust)

  • Blends rock with experimental and electronic elements

• Impact: Helped define glam rock and pushed boundaries of identity, fashion, and music

The Beegees

• Style: Disco, pop, soft rock (early career)

• Known for: Dominating the disco era in the 1970s

• Musical characteristics:

  • Falsetto vocals (high-pitched singing)

  • Smooth harmonies

  • Danceable, steady beats

• Famous for: Music connected to disco culture (like Saturday Night Fever)

• Impact: Helped bring disco into the mainstream worldwide

Sly and the Family Stone

• Style: Funk, soul, rock

• Known for: Blending genres and promoting unity

• Musical characteristics:

  • Strong funk grooves (bass and rhythm focused)

  • Horn sections and rhythmic guitars

  • Call and response vocals

• Unique aspect: Mixed-gender and racially integrated band

• Impact: Helped pioneer funk music and influence later genres

country and western

Bluegrass and honky-tonk artists
• Grand Ole Opry
• 1950: Capitol Records became
the first major company to set up
its country music operation in
Nashville
• Pop artists had huge chart
successes with their adaptations
of country material

wall of sound

• Features dense layers of instruments, reverb, and echo

• Creates a big, rich, “full” sound

double tracking

• Recording the same vocal or instrument twice

• Makes the sound thicker and fuller

synthesizer

• Electronic instrument that generates sounds digitally or electronically

• Can imitate instruments or create completely new sounds

mellotron

• Early keyboard instrument that plays pre-recorded tape loops

• Often sounds like strings, choir, or flutes

• Used in early rock and psychedelic music

Hi-fi

• High-quality sound reproduction

• Emphasizes clarity, depth, and realism in recordings

Brill Building

• A famous songwriting hub in New York City

• Home to professional songwriters who wrote hits for artists

• Associated with polished pop songwriting of the 1950s–60s

Counterculture

• A movement (especially in the 1960s) that rejected mainstream values

• Associated with:

  • anti-war views

  • freedom of expression

  • experimental music and lifestyles