Midterm Study Guide: All Terms That Are Going To Be On Test Flashcards
Call and Response
one main singer says something and a group of singers follow and respond.
Pentatonic
relating to, based on, or denoting a scale of five notes, especially one without semitones equivalent to an ordinary major scale with the fourth and seventh omitted.
Composers
The people who create the elements of a song (its basic melody/lyrics, harmony,rhythm, and form)
Arrangers
Arrangers are the people that write down the specific notes of a particular preformance.
Performers
Performers play and infect the specific notes the Arrangers wrote.
AABA Form
Focuses on repetition of a short, memorable section of music (A) with a brief change (B) or Bridge.
Bridge
Musical material designed to separate repetitions of the main section of a song.
Strophic Song
Most “A” sections are strophes, or repetitions of the same musical material with different lyrics. Associated with AABA Form.
Tin Pan Alley
Tin Pan Alley is the name given to the collection of New York City music publishers and songwriters who dominated the popular music of the United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century. It can be argued that rock tried to destroy it.
A capella
Singing groups with no instrumental accompaniment, later joined by instruments.
Cover Versions
The same musical composition performed or recorded by different musicians.
Multi-track recording
The ability to capture different parts of a song at different times. Originated in the “Tennessee Waltz” as a technological advancement.
Blues
melancholic music of black American folk origin, typically in a twelve-bar sequence.
Twelve-bar blues
A set of harmonies/ chords built from the 1st, 4th, and 5th notes of western musical scales. The chord progression is usually in this order: I-I-I-I-IV-IV-I-I-V-IV-I-I with each roman numeral representing a chord that lasts 4 beats
Royalties
Royalties are the standard method of payment for songwriters and performers whose work is used on a recording
Payola
Illegal practice of accepting bribes in exchange for heavy airplay
Brill building
Reinvented The Tin Pan Alley system in New York, used songwriters and publishers to create more of rock n roll songs.
Gold star studios
Created sort of a Tin Pan Alley type set up in Los Angeles, Phil spector and the wrecking crew were important figures here
Motown
Founded by Berry Gordon Jr. In detroit michigan, They utilized a first rate studio band known as the “funk brothers” and they maintained a strict code of conduct for artists.
The Twist
Originally recorded by Hank Ballard, Covered by Chubby Checker, and it is a popular non contact, free-form dance.
Rock Group
A group where everyone is important, plays an instrument, and writes songs.
Concept album
an album conceived as an integrated whole. Sort of tells a story throughout, You see elements from songs pop up at later times in the album.
Bill Haley
First big rock n roll star, began career as a western swing bandleader. Shake, Rattle and roll which was covered by him, emphasized electric guitar.
Chuck Berry
Integrated country and r&b influences, influential songwriter, lyricist, vocalist, and guitarist. songs like johnny b. goode contributed to rock n roll mythology. Violation of the Mann act 1959
Little Richard
Incorporated high falsetto singing, embodied extroverted, outrageous spirit of rock n roll. Called to ministry in 1957
Elvis Presly
began career with Sun records, moved to RCA Victor in 1955, TV and film appearances, Pop Friendly sound Drafted in 1957
Buddy Holly
Began Career as country musician and later moved to rock n roll. Used two lead guitars (lead and rhythm) and pioneered double-tracking.
Ritchie Valens
Recording career lasted 8 months before he died in a plane crash, helped create distinctive Los Angeles rock n roll sound.
Ray charles
Created gospel influenced style known as the genius of soul. established career as jazz and rhythm and blues musician in seattle
Sam Cooke
Created gospel influenced style. establishe career in chicago, cooler vocal approach, politics resided more in his life than music. embodied the tension between secular and gospel music
Phil Spector
Producer at Gold star studios, was leiber and stoller’s apprentice.
The Wrecking Crew
The studio band at Gold star studios and they worked with phil spector
Berry Gordon Jr.
Owner of motown studios
Funk Brothers
The first rate studio band that played at motown
Brian Wilson
Was a songwriter, producer, arranger, performer, and made innovative compositions, apart of the beach boys.
The Beach Boys
a band that made music relating to the california lifestyle, one of the first important american rock groups
The Beatles
The first Britsh Rock Group and definitely one of the most important groups during the british invasion.
The Rolling Stones
Another group that was important during the british invasion, They were more of bad boys as compared to the beatles and they played more of a blues style of music.
Bob Dylan
Played folk music.
