Rock ‘n’ Roll

Origins• Blues music had become ‘electric’ in the 1940s’ and 50s’ through the

development of the electric guitar. This allowed blues musicians to play louder and thus provide music for dancing and entertainment in big halls. Along with the guitar, the music would include drums, bass and maybe saxophone. Rock ‘n’ Roll refers to a very specific style of music popular from 1955-59. During this time period ‘youth culture’ developed including the term ‘Teenager’. It was a time of change a Rock ‘n’ Roll became the soundtrack to rebellion and youthful independence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZRaK0j8DMs – Mama Thornton ft. Buddy Guy - Hound Dog

Origins – Blues and CountryRhythm & Blues was the more modern form of blues music, which consisted of electric guitar and a rhythm section. This was still marketed and consumed by a largely black audience.

Country music was the folk music of poor white Americans and again was largely listened to by white audiences.

The combination of these two styles led to Rock ‘n’ Roll. One early artist was BILL HAYLEY and his comets. He had a hit in 1955 with Rock around the clock. Another pioneer of Rock ‘n’ roll was the iconic ELVIS PRESLEY.

Blues (black music)

Country (white music)

Rock ‘n’ Roll

The Rock ‘n’ Roll sound

• Rock ‘n’ roll combined instruments from different styles of music including electric guitar, double bass, drums, piano and saxophone. They often used 12 bar blues structures and with a fast upbeat tempo. Lyrics were about Love, going out at the weekend, breaking away from parents and could be described as teenage lyrics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzQ8GDBA8Is Elvis - Hound dog 12 bar blues

Performance and arrangement

• Fast tempo – 140bpm +.• 12 bar blues structure.• Mainly written in major keys but with blues.

scale for vocals and instrumental lead parts.• Strong back beat on beats 2 & 4.• Often makes use of a shuffle rhythm (slightly

swung quavers).

Performance features cont’

• Walking bass line.• Rhythm guitar often plays rhythmic pattern of

chords using added 6ths and 7ths.• Use of ‘Stop’ texture, where instruments only

play on beat 1 of the bar.• Use of guitar solo’s.• Simple backing vocals.• Piano shares features of guitar work – chords /

vamps / solos / left hand similar to bass line.

Technology / Production• Live mixing (no automation) recording direct to tape.• Often poor capture of instruments due to mic positioning and spillage. Drums

often captured by one overhead mic.• Vocals sometimes overdubbed through the use of 3 track recorders.• The music was released on Vinyl which had better frequency reproduction and

larger dynamic range than 78’s.• Slap-back delay was developed for use on guitar and vocals. Created by sending

the signal from the mixing desk to a spare tape machine. The signal is delayed by the distance between the record and playback heads on the tape machine. This is then fed back into the mixing desk.

• Use of echo chambers.• Development in the sounds of the electric guitar. Use of overdriven valve amps

leading to the heavy distorted sound of rock guitar that would soon become popular.

Artists• JERRY LEE LEWIS– Known for his outlandish piano playing.

Jerry Lee lewis video

• CHUCK BERRY– Known for his Rhythm & Blues influence guitar. Chuck Berry

• EDDIE COCHRAN– Died tragically at 21. Wrote songs using chords I, IV & V with teenage lyrics. Eddie Cochran video

• GENE VINCENT – Known for combining country with Rock ‘n’ Roll. This style became known as Rockabilly. Gene VIncent

• Duane Eddy – Known for his ‘twangy’ guitar sound. Duane Eddy video

Rock n Roll Documentary

Click below to watch a documentary on the history of Rock n Roll focusing on its

development from the 1950’s into the 1960’s.

History of Rock 'n' Roll part 1