3. Rock 'n' Roll Flashcards
How many chords were often used?
- The 1st, 4th and 5th. In a 12 or 16 bar blues pattern.
What tempo were songs?
Often fast and danceable. Songs were largely in 4/4 and had a shuffle rhythm.
What was it like lyrically?
There was a sense of rebellion with lyrics often referring to rock and roll itself, the freedom of dancing and teenage love.
What are some typical instruments?
Guitars, upright bass (later replaced by bass guitar in the mid 50s), drums, piano and vocals (and backing vocals for call and response fashion).
What is rockabilly?
Usually refers to the type of rock and roll which white singers such as Elvis, Carl Perkins played. Often inspired by country music.
What was doo wop?
One of the most popular forms of 1950s rock and roll, with an emphasis on multi part vocal harmonies and meaningless backing lyrics (doo wop).
Who was doo wop inspired by?
Its origins were in African American vocal groups of the 1930s and 40s, like the Ink Spots and the Mill Brothers who had commercial success with arrangements based on close harmonies.
What was the first Rock and Roll record to make the billboard charts?
Crazy Man Crazy by Bill Haley and the Comets in 1953.
What year did Elvis Presley release Thats All Right Mama?
1954.
What year did Little Richard release ‘Tutti Frutti’?
1955.
What year did Bill Haley and the Comets release Rock Around the Clock?
1955.
In the early 1950s, what instruments were more popular for lead?
The Piano or Saxophone - replaced by the guitar in the mid 50s.
What was the subculture of rock and roll like?
Not only did it influence music - it changed youth culture. It was in movies and on television. It also changed fashion and language of the time.
What is a super important thing to mention?
Rock and Roll went on to influence many other genres and brought the guitar to be of an iconic status.
