Conventions of pop

when was rock n roll

1950’s and 1960’s

features of rock n roll

• rhythmic energy

• swing rhythms sometimes

• primary chords

  • 12 bar blue structure

• walking bass line or riff

• instrumental section

• empahsis on back beat (2 + 4) by snare drum

• use of electric or acoustic guitar

• double bass or bass guitar

• drum kit

• piano

• lead vocals w backing vocalists

rock n roll artists

elvis presley

when rock anthems

1970’s 1980’s

rock anthems features

• 4/4

• heavy backbeat

• use of electric guitar, electric bass, drum kits, keyboards and vocals

• distorted guitar sounds w effects such as delay chorus and wah wah

• long virtuosic guitar solos - improvised

• serious lyrics

• memorable melodies and lyrics

rock anthem artists

queen or bon jovi

when pop ballads

1970’s 80’s 90’s

what is a pop ballad

slow song w sentimental or romantic lyrics

musical features of pop ballad

• 4/4

• slow tempo

• solo singer

• memorable hook line

• use of piano or electric piano

• sustained chords in accompaniment

• emphasis on beat 2 + 4 w snare drum

• use of melisma or ornamentation by lead singer

• use of primary chords

• ascending/descending bass lines

• build up of instrumentation throughout song

• use of reverb

pop ballad artist

• elton john

• whitney houston

solo artist when

1990 - now

tech

• sampling

• drum loops

• reverb

• overdubbing

• delay

• distortion

• auto-tune