1. Hip Hop - Performance/Arrangement/Technology/Production Flashcards
Hip hop is based mainly on loops. Describe loops.
Repeating rhythmic patterns.
Unusual, unique timbres created by:
DJs using scratch techniques on record desks.
How do DJs scratch?
Manipulating the playback of a record. Moving it quickly back and forth, speeding up and slowing down.
Is harmony popular in Hip Hop?
Not really. No large scale chord patterns or complex harmony found often.
Often several _______ in a group perform over the _____ provided by the DJ.
Often several rappers in a group perform over the beats provided by the DJ.
Rap is rarely melodic, it focuses on:
Intricate rhythmic delivery and phrasing.
Frequent use of C____ & R_____
Call and response.
What is beat boxing?
Rappers imitating the sound of drum machines and other instruments vocally.
What structure would a hip hop song usually be?
Strophic. With a chorus with catchy hooks, often delivered by several rappers.
Original hip hop artists used:
two or more record decks to play instrumental grooves - often drum and bass breaks - while mixing in other patterns or short hits from other records.
Later hip hop styles used s____ers
Samplers.
What can a sampler do?
Create loops, DJ scratching, creating unique sounds by reversing, pitch shifting and filtering.
How could percussion be used?
Beat boxing or drum machines.
How would you describe the quality of the music?
Lo-fi. Deep bass frequencies, often from kick drum sounds.
Name 6 influence of Hip Hop:
Funk, Disco, Soul, R&B, Reggae, Scat singing.
Difference between rap and hip-hop?
Rap generally refers to the music, and ‘hip hop’ to the complete culture surrounding the music.
What style of dancing accompanied this?
Breakdancing - a combination of gymnastics and dance.
When did the recording of rap start?
The late 1970’s. Before that it was just done at parties.
How did Rap do commercially?
It didn’t have much success in the early 1980’s.
How did Rap have an influence on Pop music?
The way beats were put together, using sampled loops and scratching was copied by producers. The early original sound became known as old school rap.
What did the lyrics deal with?
Serious issues such as the social situation of African Americans as well as many political issues. Public Enemy are a good example of political rapping.
What did gangsta rap include?
Promotes violence against enemies and society in general as well as a criminal gang lifestyle. Women are treated as objects.
Who was Dr Dre originally with?
N.W.A
What is West Coast hip hop?
Smoother, more funk influenced sound than East Coast which helped it achieve more commercial success.
