Conventions Of Pop

Question 1

What kind of instruments were used in rock n roll?

Answer 1

Acoustic ones like guitars, double bass, drum kit and piano

Question 2

What kind of venues were used for rock n roll?

Answer 2

Venues tended to be small dance-halls, clubs or concert halls

Question 3

Name some musical features of rock n roll

Answer 3

A fast tempo, 4.4 time signature and verse chorus structure

Question 4

How fast is the rock n roll tempo?

Answer 4

165 - 185 beats per minute

Question 5

What key is rock n roll in?

Answer 5

Major

Question 6

What is the time signature of rock n roll?

Answer 6

4.4

Question 7

What chord structure is there for rock n roll?

Answer 7

A 12 bar blues chord structure using primary chords

Question 8

What are the vocal phrases like of rock n roll?

Answer 8

Short often with repeated patterns

Question 9

What is there between voice and accompaniment?

Answer 9

Call and response

Question 10

Name one solo artist and group from rock n roll

Answer 10

Little Richard soloist

Bill Hayley and the Comets group

Question 11

Where were Rock anthems of the 70s and 80s performed?

Answer 11

At clubs and pop festivals and needed to be powerful and memorable to engage the audience

Question 12

What became essential to project sounds of rock anthems?

Answer 12

Use of electronic instruments and amplification as effects like distortion and reverb became the norm

Question 13

Give some features included in rock anthems

Answer 13

4.4 time signature, a long intro, high male vibrato voices, repeated patterns, strong chorus

Question 14

Name some rock anthem songs and their composers

Answer 14

The final countdown by Europe

Eye of the tiger by survivor

Question 15

What are pop ballads of the 70s 80s and 90s?

Answer 15

Generally romantic or sentimental songs that tell a story

Question 16

What instruments are heard in pop ballads?

Answer 16

Simple acoustic guitar or piano accompaniment. Sometimes there’s a rock band instrumentation including a synthesiser and saxophone

Question 17

Name some pop ballad songs and their singers

Answer 17

Total eclipse of the heart - bonnie Tyler

Elton John - don’t let the sun go down on me

Question 18

What are present day songs like?

Answer 18

Heavily reliant on technology to create and enhance overall effect

Question 19

What kind of effects are used in present day music?

Answer 19

Electronic instruments
Amplification 
Effects added to guitars 
Effects added to voices
Recording techniques

Question 20

What effects are added to guitars in present day music?

Answer 20

Distortion, reverb, panning

Question 21

What effects are added to the voice in present day music?

Answer 21

Echo, reverb, filter and panning

Question 22

Give some recording techniques used in present day music

Answer 22

Multi-tracking, overdubbing pm sampling and looping

Question 23

Name two songs and their solo artists from present day music

Answer 23

Set the world on fire - David Bowie

Breakin’ Dishes’ - Rhianna