Popular Music Concepts Flashcards
Describe blues music.
Originated as songs that slaves sang about their freedom in southern America. Today blues music still references the themes of slavery and spreads out the discrimination experienced by the people of African American heritage.
Blues music is normally played at a slow tempo and can used a scale called ‘blues scale’ which has some sharpened and flattened notes.
Describe ragtime music.
Well known for using syncopation. Popularly played on the piano but can be performed on other instruments such as the guitar.
Describe Jazz music.
Jazz can cover many types of music but it has things in common such as:
-improvisation
-instruments like the piano/sax/trumpet/clarinet/double bass
-scat singing
-syncopation
What is improvisation?
A chance for a instrumentalist to make up the music as they go along and lots take the chance to show off.
What instruments will a jazz trio include?
-piano
-drum kit
-double bass
What will a larger jazz ensemble add?
-saxophone
-trumpet
-trombone
-electric guitar
-occasionally other instruments.
What is scat singing?
It’s used in Jazz music and is when the singer uses nonsense words or makes up words.
What is con sordino?
When jazz trumpet and trombone players play with a mute, to give a very characteristic lily ‘jazzy’ sound.
Describe swing music and its sections.
It emerged from Jazz.
It used two sections in its ‘swing bands’:
-rhythm section which includes the guitar, piano, drums, and bass
- front line/ horns which includes the saxophone, trumpets and trombones.
What is gospel music ?
Developed from negro spirituals, but maintains a strong emphasis on Christian beliefs, while incorporating elements of blues and jazz. It’s a distinct style wildly used in churches across the USA.
It often features a large gospel choir sining in harmony with one or more soloists. Often featuring the organ which can even be played with a glissando.
What words will you hear in gospel music?
Words like:
Hallelujah, holy lord, praise, god, worthy, Jesus etc…
What is a glissando?
Sliding from one note to another.
What is a harmony?
The sounding at the same time of different pitches in grouping called chords
What is a solo?
One instrument/voice performing alone.
What is rock and roll music?
Music developed from jazz and blues but with more emphasis on lead and rhythm guitars with the horn section used less. (Trumpets, sax, trombone)
