INTRODUCTION TO

POPULAR MUSIC
1950s 2000s

W/w:

Basic (Grade C/ Pass)

Perform a variety of pieces as part of an ensemble with
errors that do not detract from the overall performance
Intermediate (Grade B/ Merit)
Perform a variety of pieces as part of an ensemble
competently and accurately
Advanced (Grade A/ Distinction)
Perform a variety of pieces as part of an ensemble with
artistic flair and interpretation

BE ABLE TO PERFORM
POP/ROCK MUSIC AS PART OF
AN ENSEMBLE

12 Blues chord pattern (i.e. C-C-C-C F-F-C-C G-F-C-C)

4/4 time signature (1,2,3,4)
Call & Response
Untrained male voice
Fast tempo
Shuffle rhythm (swing quavers)
Walking Bass

1950: ROCK N ROLL

ELVIS PRESLEY, JERRY LEE LEWIS, BILL HALEY AND HIS COMETS

Gospel influenced vocals

Lyrical soulful melodies
An emphasis on the rhythm section
Large horn sections (trumpets, saxophones and
trombones)

1960: MOTOWN & SOUL

OTIS READING, THE JACKSON FIVE, WILSON PICKETT, BEN E.
KING

Complicated rhapsodic form with extended

sections
Changing dynamics and tempos between sections
Extended instrumental passages which last a
long time
Long complicated harmonies.
Rhythm: explore complex time signatures
Vocally difficult

1970: PROGRESSIVE ROCK

QUEEN, PINK FLOYD

Light, enjoyable, airy

Lyrics about love & relationships
Synthesizer (keyboard) is the dominant
instrument
Popularity of saxophone

1980: NEW WAVE & SYNTH POP

HUMAN LEAGUE, DEPECHE MODE, DURAN
DURAN, WHAM

Has a dirty guitar sound, strong riffs, and

heavy drumming
Commonly used guitar distortion and
feedback
Lyrics are typically angst-filled, angry,
frustrated, sad, fearsome, and depressed
Take as little effort as possible on appearance
and dress for comport and affordability

1990: GRUNGE
NIRVANA, GREEN DAY

Polished record production style

Drum machine-backed rhythms
A smooth, lush style of vocal arrangement
Use of melisma (singing several notes on a
vowel)

2000: CONTEMPORARY R&B

ALICIA KEYS, USHER, BEYONC, CHRIS BROWN,
RIHANNA, AMY WHINEOUSE