Unit 10

Question 1

Rhythm and blues

Answer 1

A term used since the midforties to describe African American popular styles, especially those influenced by blues and/or dance music. Became significant starting in 1949, and was a significant part of popular music throughout the 1950s

Question 2

What was the central issue for black people after WW2?

Answer 2

Economic, social, and racial equality. The postwar economy created more jobs and therefore reduced job competition and allowed black people to earn more money (but not as much as whites). The hypocrisy in the United States was evident at the time. The US presented itself as a defender of freedom to other countries, but denied freedom to many of its citizens. Observers in other countries were reminded that the pledge of allegiance (what Americans professed to believe) was actually a lie.

Question 3

What 2 events catalyzed the civil rights movement in the 1960s?

Answer 3

1. The Brown v. Board of Education decision (1954)

2. Rosa Parks refusing to switch seats on the bus in 1955- this resulted in a year long bus boycott in Montgomery

Question 4

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

Answer 4

This decision rescinded the “separate but equal” policy sanctioned by the Court’s 1896 decision in Plessy v. Ferguson. Now, the Court said that there could be no equality unless blacks and whites had equal access to all schools. After this, the civil rights movement gained momentum in the courts and on the streets

Question 5

How did rhythm and blues artists contribute to the civil rights movement?

Answer 5

They indirectly contributed by heightening awareness of black culture through their music. These artists also benefitted from increased attention to race relations in the media

Question 6

Jump bands

Answer 6

In the late 1940s, a small band rhythm section plus a few horns (horn section reduced drastically from big band swing) that played a rhythm-and-blues style influenced by big-band swing and electric blues. Strengthened the beat by using a shuffle rhythm and built songs on repeated riffs using a blues form. Emphasized singing more than swing had.

Question 7

Louis Jordan

Answer 7

Saxophonist, formed his own jump band group (Louis Jordan and His Tympani Five). Their 1946 song “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie” was a big hit. The lyrics happen over a blues harmonic progression, but do not follow the standard form of the blues lyric- they serve as a storytelling verse to the chorus.

Question 8

What happened to the rhythmic foundation of rhythmic rhythm and blues in the early 1950s?

Answer 8

It got stronger, more active, and louder. Began using amplification and an amplified guitar and the rhythm section became more prominent and more noticeable behind the rest of the band.

Question 9

“Rocket 88” (Jackie Brenston, 1951)

Answer 9

Rhythm and blues hit, a good example of the prominent rhythm section in the early 1950s

Question 10

Jump band instrumentation

Answer 10

Rhythm section with electric guitar plus saxophones, the saxophone is in the spotlight but the rhythm section is prominent.

Question 11

Why does the rhythm of “Rocket 88” sound more active? (2)

Answer 11

2 features:

1. The use of triplets
2. Increased prominence of the shuffle rhythm

Question 12

Triplet

Answer 12

Rhythmic pattern that divides each beat into three equal parts. After 1950, they were frequently used in slow rhythm and blues and were also used to add rhythmic energy in medium-tempo songs.

Question 13

Was the shuffle rhythm a characteristic rhythm of rock?

Answer 13

No, but it was occasionally used as an alternative to rock rhythm in rock era songs. However, the shuffle rhythm in rocket 88 conveys the energy associated with rock, which has insistent rhythms that move faster than the beat. This feature attracted teens and repelled adults (who wanted these types of rhythms to play quietly in the background).

Question 14

1950s rhythm section

Answer 14

Electric guitar, piano, bass, and drums

Question 15

What were the characteristics of a 1950s rhythm and blues song?

Answer 15

A rhythm section and at least one saxophone

Question 16

Why was rocket 88 considered the first rock and roll record?

Answer 16

Due to the use of distortion and the relative prominence of the guitar. However, this song used a shuffle rhythm instead of a rock rhythm, so it wasn’t actually the first rock and roll record

Question 17

Electric blues

Answer 17

A blues style that took shape in the late 1940s and flourished during the 1950s

Question 18

Where did the roots of electric blues originate?

Answer 18

In the country blues of Delta bluesmen. Characteristics included raw vocals, multifaceted guitar roles, and the interplay between voice and guitar

Question 19

How is electric blues different from country blues (4)?

Answer 19

1. The use of amplified guitar
2. The full rhythm section- at least one guitar, piano, bass, and drums
3. A strong, steady rhythm, usually a shuffle rhythm
4. Conventional blues form

Question 20

Muddy Waters

Answer 20

Born in the Delta region of Mississippi, began to play deep blues in his teens. Played guitar and became a prominent electric blues musician. His music was influenced from his time in Chicago

Question 21

Deep blues

Answer 21

Early acoustic blues originating from the Mississippi and surrounding areas. Came from the harsh and isolating environment experienced by sharecropping African Americans in the region.

Question 22

Features of electric blues (5)

Answer 22

1. Regular blues form
2. Rough edged vocals
3. Vocal like responses and solos from the lead guitar or harmonica
4. A dense texture, with several instruments playing melody like lines behind the singer
5. A rhythm section laying down a strong beat, usually some form of the shuffle rhythm popularized in forties rhythm and blues.

Question 23

What was one of Muddy Waters’ most popular records?

Answer 23

“Hoochie Coochie Man”. It used electric blues style and had vocal-like responses from the harmonica and guitar. Waters’ singing was passionate and emotional.

Question 24

How did the electric blues of the 1950s influence popular music? 2 installments.

Answer 24

It brought “nastier” guitar sounds into popular music- blues guitarists began to experiment with distortion. The influence came in 2 installments:

1. The music of Chuck Berry
2. The blues-based rock of the 1960s

Question 25

“Sh-Boom”

Answer 25

An example of upbeat doo wop from the early 1950s, written by the Chords. Used the jump band’s shuffle rhythm and instrumentation (with saxophone), but the beat is discreet and song uses a pop model. Its popularity was the evidence that rock and roll would become more popular.

Question 26

doo-wop

Answer 26

A pop-oriented R&B genre that typically featured remakes of popular standards or pop-style originals sung by black vocal groups. Doo-wop died out in the early 1960s with the rise of the girl groups and Motown.

Question 27

Voices as instruments

Answer 27

The practice of using the voice to imitate instruments, especially percussive-sounding instruments, is a distinctively black practice. Before doo-wop, it was evident in a variety of music, and it was one of the main features of doo wop. Nonsense syllables were injected into the lyrics to inject rhythmic energy into the song, and these sounds had percussive quality

Question 28

What was the problem with cover versions of songs in the 1950s and 1960s?

Answer 28

White artists often covered black group’s songs, and used sounds with mass appeal, which destroyed the original music. This became less of an issue as white audiences opened up to black music of all kinds