(Pop) - Pop Ballads of the 1970/80/90s Flashcards
what did pop ballads originate from?
Folk music
what was folk music?
usually being a story sung to simple musical accompaniment sung by
wandering minstrels in the 15th Century.
who were pop ballads often written and performed by?
Pop
Ballads were often written and performed by Singer-Songwriters who often accompany themselves on the guitar
or piano.
how do pop ballads maintain intimacy with the audience? (not sure how to create a question to this answer)
Although Pop Ballads are now often performed on stage to huge
audiences, they still manage to maintain the intimacy of a performer telling a moving story through music.
what are the lyrics like?
Tell stories often with a sentimental romantic theme telling some kind of love story, often with a romantic “twist” right at the end to keep people listening
what is the tempo like?
Slow and Moderate Tempo
(Moderato, Andante, Adagio,
Lento) to emphasise the meaning
of the words. 70-100 bpm.
what was the metre like?
4/4 Time Signature. Ritardandos
and Tempo Rubato used.
what was the harmony and tonality like?
Chord Progressions (guitar and/or piano) such as I, V, VI, IV.
Slow
Harmonic Rhythm.
Often use Chord
Inversions, Repeating Block Chords,
Broken Chords or Arpeggios.
Modulation in final chorus. Chords II,
III and IV used more.
what was the melody like?
1) Mainly Diatonic melody sung by
the lead singer.
2) Duos/Trios also
common and often sing in Close
Harmony
what were the dynamics like?
Start off quite soft – Mezzo Piano (mp) – usually increasing towards the chorus with a Crescendo often ending in a louder, fully-scored final Chorus
what was the rhythm like?
Accompanying drum patterns on
the Snare Drum often feature
Syncopated Rhythms accenting the
2nd and 4th beats of the bar
what’s the texture like?
2 things
- Homophonic (Melody & Accompaniment) Texture – a solo singer accompanied by simple instruments or large band.
- Texture often builds towards the end becoming thicker for a big final ‘climax’ in the last Chorus.
what’s the articulation like?
The main vocal melody, performed by the lead singer and the accompanying chords are normally performed Legato – smoothly throughout.
what was the accompaniment like?
3 things
- The Accompaniment of a Pop Ballad always supports the Lead Singer!
- The story is the most important part and the lead vocals should be clear and unhidden.
- Backing vocalists and accompanying instruments support
what is the form and structure like?
- Verse-Chorus Form.
Verses in Strophic Form. Bridge/Middle 8 (8, 16, 24 or 32 bars) often features new material before a Modulation in the final Chorus. Parts of the Verse or Chorus can be repeated for emphasis or effect.
what was vocal performance and technique like?
- Expressive and Emotional Vocal Performance is key to a Pop Ballad: A Cappella, Vibrato, Falsetto, Melisma, Portamento, Riffing, Ritardandos, Tempo Rubato, Large Vocal Ranges, Long Held Notes
how did technology impact?
Heavy Reverb on the vocals often used to create a warm sound.
Venue
Pop Concert, Radio, TV, CD, MP3 Download Internet Sites, YouTube.
Artists/Bands/Performers
Billy Joel, Lionel Richie, Chris de Burgh, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Elton John, Bette Midler, Take That, The Carpenters, Sting, Extreme, Seal, Robbie Williams, Lionel Richie, George Michael, Eric Clapton.
Instrumentation – Typical Instruments, Timbres and Sonorities
No “set list” of instruments which accompany Pop Ballads but often featured are: Guitars (Acoustic, Electric and Bass), Drum Kit, Vocals (Lead and Backing Singers – often called BVOX), Piano, Electric Piano, Saxophone and Strings – either live orchestral or synthesised “Lush String Pads” using Music Technology.
