MUSI 2060 1st Edition Lecture Outline of Last Lecture I. Beginnings of Rock ‘n’ RollII. Styles of Rock ‘n’ Rolla. Northern Band b. New Orleans DanceOutline of Current Lecture I. Styles of Rock ‘n’ Rolla. Memphis Country RockII. Important Performersa. Carl Perkinsb. Jerry Lee Lewisc. Elvis PresleyCurrent Lecture- Memphis Country Rock (Rockabilly)o Rhythm & Blues elements Emphasis on backbeat 12 bar blues formato Country & Western elements Instrumentation (string bands) Strict rhythms (in between Northern & New Orleans) Nasal singing style Pronunciation (accent) Overall treble-dominated sound (twangy)o Instrumentation Lead vocals Lead electric guitar Acoustic rhythm guitar (time keeper) Acoustic bass (slap bass, 2 beat) Drums, pianos (after c. 1956) Generally no backup singers (until Elvis)o Lead guitar style Bright, tinny character Corresponds with nasal vocalThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute. Primarily country-style picking (finger picking) Secondarily on delta blues style (slide)o Vocal Characteristics Stuttering yelps, cracked falsetto Sometimes slur words together Nasal singingo Other Characteristics Generally fast tempos (158-172 bpm) Propelled by slapped bass Looser sense of rhythm than New Orleans Developed principally at Sun Studios, Memphis, TN (Sam Phillips)- Carl Perkins (1932-1998)o Good songwritero Guitar style characteristics Fingerpicking on electric guitar Right hand dampens strings (use palm to mute picked string) Single, double string bends Extended chords (9th, 13th) Syncopated rhythms Chord anticipations (anticipates rest of the band)o “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956): Elvis helped make it popularo Huge influence on Jimmy Page, George Harrison (Beatles)- Jerry Lee Lewis (b. 1935)o Piano style characteristics “Pumpin’ piano”: derived from boogie woogie piano Barrelhouse, bounced rhythms Ostinato left hand Polyrhythms between handso Derived from country honky tonk piano Strict adherence to the beat Octave, chordal tremolos (rolled piano chords) “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going’ On” (1957) Married 3rd cousin (13) but forgot to divorce his wife at the time- Elvis Presley (1935-1977)o Influenced by several musical styles Rural delta blues Urban blues-Chicago & Memphis Country & Western (Southern Country) Gospel (Black & White) Popular Singers: Sinatra, Martin, Comoo Dressed similar to black peopleo “That’s All Right Mama” (1954): Elvis, Scotty, Bill Country: twangy, strict rhythm, two-beat bass Blues: walking bass, double stops, bent (blue notes), descending melodyo Vocal style combines influences Country- Clear pronunciation- Southern accent- Sense of melodic phrasing- Hiccup stutter (from yodeling) Rural Blues- Vocal delivery (growls, blue notes)- Sensual stage presence White Gospel- Clear, 4-part harmonies (backing) Black Gospel- Exuberant performing style (shouting) Pop Singers- Crooning (slow ballads in low range)- Wide vibratoo “Heart Break Hotel” (1st #1 single for RCA) Back & forth between shouting high range to crooning low range Rockabilly guitar and country
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