Popular Music: Key Concepts and Terms

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and terms related to the changes in popular music and societal influences from 1925 to 1955.

Tin Pan Alley

NYC publishing area for early pop songs.

Crooner

Soft-voiced singer using a microphone (Bing Crosby).

12-Bar Blues

Chord pattern used in blues, R&B, and rock.

Swing

Danceable big-band jazz with a steady rhythm.

Big Band

Large ensemble of horns and rhythm section.

Improvisation

Making up melodies on the spot (jazz style).

Independent Label

Small record company outside the big corporations.

Crossover Hit

Song popular in multiple genres or charts.

Rockabilly

Blend of country and R&B that created rock 'n' roll.

Backbeat

Emphasis on beats 2 and 4; signature of rock.

How did technology change popular music between 1925 and 1955?

Electric recording improved sound, microphones created crooner style, radio and jukeboxes spread music, and magnetic tape, 45 rpm records, and TV helped artists reach mass audiences.

What are the major musical styles from 1920s to 1950s?

1920s: Jazz and blues; 1930s-40s: Swing and big band; 1950s: R&B, Country, and Rock 'n' Roll.

How did race influence American popular music?

African American styles like blues and jazz shaped U.S. pop; Benny Goodman integrated swing bands; R&B and rock 'n' roll crossed racial boundaries.

How did music reflect society between 1920s to 1950s?

1920s: Jazz symbolized freedom; 1930s: Swing provided hope during Depression; 1940s: WWII patriotism; 1950s: Teen rebellion and identity through rock.