Rock ‘n’ Roll
Origins
• Blues music had become ‘electric’ in the 1940s’ and 50s’ through the
development of the electric guitar. This allowed blues musicians to play
louder and thus provide music for dancing and entertainment in big halls.
Along with the guitar, the music would include drums, bass and maybe
saxophone. Rock ‘n’ Roll refers to a very specific style of music popular
from 1955-59. During this time period ‘youth culture’ developed including
the term ‘Teenager’. It was a time of change a Rock ‘n’ Roll became the
soundtrack to rebellion and youthful independence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZRaK0j8DMs –
Mama Thornton ft. Buddy Guy - Hound Dog
Origins – Blues and
Country
Rhythm & Blues was the more
modern form of blues music,
which consisted of electric guitar
and a rhythm section. This was
still marketed and consumed by a
largely black audience.
Country music was the folk music
of poor white Americans and
again was largely listened to by
white audiences.
The combination of these two
styles led to Rock ‘n’ Roll. One
early artist was BILL HAYLEY and
his comets. He had a hit in 1955
with Rock around the clock.
Another pioneer of Rock ‘n’ roll
was the iconic ELVIS PRESLEY.
Blues (black
music)
Country (white
music)
Rock ‘n’ Roll
The Rock ‘n’ Roll sound
• Rock ‘n’ roll combined instruments from different
styles of music including electric guitar, double
bass, drums, piano and saxophone. They often
used 12 bar blues structures and with a fast
upbeat tempo. Lyrics were about Love, going out
at the weekend, breaking away from parents and
could be described as teenage lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzQ8GDBA8Is
Elvis - Hound dog 12 bar blues
Performance and arrangement
• Fast tempo – 140bpm +.
• 12 bar blues structure.
• Mainly written in major keys but with blues.
scale for vocals and instrumental lead parts.
• Strong back beat on beats 2 & 4.
• Often makes use of a shuffle rhythm (slightly
swung quavers).
Performance features cont’
• Walking bass line.
• Rhythm guitar often plays rhythmic pattern of
chords using added 6ths and 7ths.
• Use of ‘Stop’ texture, where instruments only
play on beat 1 of the bar.
• Use of guitar solo’s.
• Simple backing vocals.
• Piano shares features of guitar work – chords /
vamps / solos / left hand similar to bass line.
Technology / Production
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Live mixing (no automation) recording direct to tape.
Often poor capture of instruments due to mic positioning and spillage. Drums
often captured by one overhead mic.
Vocals sometimes overdubbed through the use of 3 track recorders.
The music was released on Vinyl which had better frequency reproduction and
larger dynamic range than 78’s.
Slap-back delay was developed for use on guitar and vocals. Created by sending
the signal from the mixing desk to a spare tape machine. The signal is delayed by
the distance between the record and playback heads on the tape machine. This is
then fed back into the mixing desk.
Use of echo chambers.
Development in the sounds of the electric guitar. Use of overdriven valve amps
leading to the heavy distorted sound of rock guitar that would soon become
popular.
Artists
• JERRY LEE LEWIS– Known for his outlandish piano playing. Jerry Lee lewis
video
• CHUCK BERRY– Known for his Rhythm & Blues influence guitar. Chuck
Berry
• EDDIE COCHRAN– Died tragically at 21. Wrote songs using chords I, IV & V
with teenage lyrics. Eddie Cochran video
• GENE VINCENT – Known for combining country with Rock ‘n’ Roll. This
style became known as Rockabilly. Gene VIncent
• Duane Eddy – Known for his ‘twangy’ guitar sound. Duane Eddy video
Rock n Roll Documentary
Click below to watch a documentary on the
history of Rock n Roll focusing on its
development from the 1950’s into the 1960’s.
History of Rock 'n' Roll part 1