History of Rock and Roll

1. History of Rock and Roll

2. Origins of Rock and Roll • Rock and Roll: A form of music that evolved in the US in the 1940’s and 1950’s • There are 5 main genres that Rock and Roll came from… Blues Country R&B Folk Music Gospel Music

3. Origins of Rock and Roll • Blues: A vocal and instrumental form of music based on the use of “blue notes” • It emerged from self-expression in African American communities in the US. • The blues are derived from African American spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants. • There is a real prominance of “call and response patterns” in blues music.

4. Origins of Rock and Roll • Blues Lyrics: Often a repeated line of text followed by a single line conclusion. Ex. Rebecca, Rebecca, get your lips off of me Rebecca, Rebecca, get your lips off of me Your someone else's baby, Your worryin’ the hell out of me • The Blues lyrics are also known to be depressing. If your “blue” then your down in the dumps.

5. Origins of Rock and Roll • All blues music has a set structure. • This structure come in the form of a specific chord progression. • There are two types of blues chord progressions… 8-bar blues 12-bar blues

6. Origins of Rock and Roll • 8 bar blues chord progression… I I IV I V IV I I • 12 bar blues chord progression… I I I I IV IV I I V IV I I

7. 2 big musical characteristics of blues music… Blue Notes/Bent Notes: Flatted 3rd, 5th and 7th notes Walking Bass Line: Moving up a scale in thirds one note at a time with a flat 7th on top.

8. Listening No. 1 Title: Reckless Blues Composer/Artist: Bessie Smith Genre: Blues Period: 20th Century (1944)

9. Listening No. 2 Title: Bridge Over Troubled Water Composer: Paul Simon Artist: Eva Cassidy Genre: Blues Period: 20th Century (1998)

10. Instrumentation • Classic Rock and Roll is played with two electric guitars. • One guitar plays lead, or the melodic line of the music. • The other guitar plays the rhythmic line of the music. Usually an ostanato. • Before the 1950’s a string bass provided the bass line, this was replaced by the electric bass in the early 50’s. • There is also a drum kit. (Snare, Bass, Hi-hat and crash cymbals and tom-tom’s)

11. Origins of Rock and Roll • In early rock and roll, a piano was often the lead instrument, but was eventually replaced by the guitar in the mid 1950’s. • The foundation rhythm is called a “boogie-woogie blues rhythm.” • Consists of an accentuated back beat on beats 2 and 4. • This is almost always played with a snare drum.

12. Origins of Rock and Roll • Rockabilly: One of the earlies sub-styles of Rock and Roll Music. • Emerged in the early 1950’s • Strongly influenced by country and gospel music. • The major artist of the Rockabilly style is Elvis Presley

13. Origins of Rock and Roll • First known rock and roll record was recorded in 1951. The song was called “Rocket 88” by Ike Turner and The Kings of Rhythm.