Popular Music

Question 1

rock n roll typical features

Answer 1

• steady 4,4 beat
• driving rhythm in the drum kit
• emphasis on the backbeats
• three guitars (lead, rhythm and bass) and a drum kit
• strong/ prominent bass line
• repetitive melodic lines
• limited vocal range
• memorable ‘hook’

Question 2

R n B typical features

Answer 2

• 4,4 time
• strong backbeats
• hip-hop-inspired drum patterns
• prominent vocal lines
• repetitive phrases
• melodic fills, melismas, giving an improvised feel to the performance
• clear harmonic patterns