AOS3 - Traditional Music

key characteristics of metre, rhythm and tempo in blues music

• swing rhythms

• syncopation

• 4/4 time

• early blues typically slow

• walking bass lends a steady rhythm

key characteristics of melody in blues music

• improvisation

• blues scale (a major pentatonic with a flat 3rd or minor pentatonic with a flat 5th)

• pitch bending

• melismas in vocal melodies

key instruments in blues music

• brass, often with mutes

• saxophone

• acoustic + electric guitar

• dixieland drum kit

• double bass played pizzicato

key characteristics of harmony and tonality in blues music

• 12 bar blues, primary chords (I, IV and V)

• minor 7th chords and other chord extensions

• dissonant harmonies common

• tonic, subdominant and dominant keys

key characteristics of structure and texture in blues music

• call and response

• 3 line verse (AAB lyrics)

key characteristics of Contemporary Latin American music

• clave rhythm (3-2 rhythm)

• syncopated percussion rhythms creating cross rhythms (someone performing in 3 and another person in 2)

• call and response

• primary chords

• percussion instruments

• acoustic guitar

key percussion instruments in Contemporary Latin American music

• cowbell

• congo

• claves

• maracas

• guiro

• timbales

• bongos

key characteristics of Contemporary Folk Music

• fusion of contemporary pop styles and instruments with elements of folk music

• simple structure

• acoustic instruments

• melodies inspired by traditional tunes

• simple or compound time signatures

• step-wise melodies

• simple chord patterns based around primary chords

traditional folk instruments

• accordion

• fiddle

• banjo

• guitar

• mandolin

• irish pipes and bagpipes

• harmonica

• recorder

• flute

• ukulele

key characteristics of traditional Caribbean Fusion music

• traditional instruments, Latin percussion

• tonal, often major

• simple harmony

• call and response vocals

key characteristics of reggae music

• backbeat drum kit

• off-beat guitar chords

• syncopations

• prominent bass riffs

• slow tempo

• 4/4

• simple chord progressions

key characteristics of ska music

• electrics guitars and jazzy horn section (saxophones, trombone and trumpets)

• offbeat rhythms

• lyrics about societal issues

• 4/4

• fast tempo

key characteristics of texture in African Fusion music

• a capella sections

• homophonic

• could be polyphonic

key characteristics of melody and rhythm in African Fusion music

• call and response

• percussive sounds with vocals

key instruments in African Fusion music

• djembes

• Western instruments

• steel bodied guitar with a bottle neck to add effect to the slides

• use of solo voice (a leader)