Name Target

Class

Music Teacher

1
Page Focus Detail
No.
2 Index

3 Key Words Using MAD T SHIRTS showing all linked vocabulary for AOS4

4 What is Pop music? Introduction to the term and its origins.

5 Instruments of Popular Music Keyboards – examples and performers

6 Guitars – examples and performers

7 Bass Guitar – examples and performers

8 Drum Kit – examples and performers

9 Music Technology Early developments

10 Sound effects used in Popular Music

11 Recording Formats

13 Popular music from 1950 -2000 Pop Music in the 1950s – wider listening – compare and contrasts

16 Pop Music in the 1960s– wider listening – compare and contrasts

20 Pop Music in the 1970s– wider listening – compare and contrasts

24 Pop Music in the 1980s– wider listening – compare and contrasts

29 Pop Music in the 1990s– wider listening – compare and contrasts

32 Pop Music in the 2000s– wider listening – compare and contrasts

Musical Structures of Popular
38
Music
40 Reggae Listening examples

42 Musical Fusion Listening examples Compare and Contrasts

54 Bhangra Instruments used and examples for further listening

57 Recording Formats timeline

58 Music that made an impact

2
Area of Study 4: Popular Music KEY WORDS
Blue Notes Step wise Scalic
Anacrusis Conjunct Low Pitch
Repetition Disjunct High Pitch
Arpeggio / Motif
M Sequence
Broken Chord Range

Humming Falsetto Sustained Rim shot Pitch bend

Syllabic Belt Accent Slap bass Plucked
Melismatic Rap Tremolo Drum roll Slurred
Scat Staccato Distortion Muted Tongued
A Vibrato Legato Hammer on Glissando/slide Detached

Piano Simple Time (2/4, 3/4 ,4/4)

Crescendo
Mezzo Piano TIME/ Compound Time (6/8)
Diminuendo
Mezzo Forte TEMPO Duple / Triple / Quadruple
D
Forte
T
Repetition Fill Call and Response Improvisation
Contrast Intro Ostinato Verse
Strophic Outro Bridge Chorus
32 Bar Song Form / AABA Coda Break Middle 8
S 12 Bar Blues Riff Loop Pre Chorus (Since You Been Gone)

Primary Chords Dissonance Dominant 7th

Secondary Chords Power Chords Diminished (E.K.N.)
Inversion Chord Progression / Sequence Drone
H Slash Chords
Cadence
Tonic
Subdominant
Pedal

Drum kit Piano Soprano A Cappella

Snare Drum Electric Guitar Alto Pop / Rock Group
Cymbal Bass Guitar Tenor Rhythm Section
I Dhol
Keyboard
Sarangi
Tumbi
Bass
Backing Vocals
Acoustic

Syncopation Triplet Rock Rhythms

Swing Rhythms Chaal
On the beat Driving Rhythms
R Off Beat Dance Rhythms

Homophonic Counter Melody

Unison Stab Chords
T Chordal
Melody and Accompaniment
Walking Bass

Rock Ballad
Soul Pop
S Hip Hop
Reggae
Bhangra
Fusion
3
 ?
Popular music is usually referred to as “Pop” and covers a wide range of styles and genres.
Pop music is today driven by fashion and current trends/ issues. It can have a short lifespan
whilst others can be timeless. Think about popular music from the past – why do we still
listen to it? What has originally influenced it? Does it have a particular significance?

In many music text books you will see that the 1950’s is accepted as its starting point for pop music,
it’s the same decade that the term Teenager was made popular! However the term “Pop” actually
refers to music that is enjoyed by the masses, in this sense it can be linked to popular songs from the
Victorian Era sung in the Old Time Music Halls….
Music hall was popular in the UK from the
1850s. The term comes from the venue
where the music would have been performed.
This was similar to the American Vaudeville.
Rousing songs and comic acts would be
performed. In the UK Vaudeville was very much
linked to the working class whilst, in the USA, the
term would have been Burlesque.

Listen to the tracks shown above you may be surprised by how many you actually
know! Think about “It’s a Long way…” why would this song have been important?
_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

As you develop your musical knowledge, you will see that Popular Music tends to borrow ideas from
a wide range of musical styles, trends and genres. This is how new styles are created!
In particular Dance, Latin, Country, Jazz, Blues & Folk.

Popular music styles are ever evolving and alongside the development of music technology it will
definitely be exciting to see where we’ll be going next..

What is clear to see is the link between the development of recording formats and the development
of musical styles and compositions.

4
 Instruments of Popular Music: Keyboards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwReWjAxZqE
Wurlitzer Piano 1950 -1980s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HtfWSbmuAc
Fender Rhodes (1965)

Clavinet Made by Hohner (1968)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT7XJhdfOT0
Superstition (Stevie Wonder)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctOhwRGdVvo
Jarre Legendary Instruments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DDEl7JnWvo
Jarre Oxygene

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDFocqYSrfE
Tomita Jupiter
Moog Synthesisers (1971)

Current synthesizers. Reproduction “retro” synths.

5
Instruments of Popular Music: Guitars
A very brief guide....

Fender Stratocaster (USA) first designed by Leo Fender (1954)

being developed at the same time that Rock and Roll was
establishing itself in popular music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nrInsANB8Q
That’ll be the Day (Buddy Holly)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfWPqRtozh0
Since You Been Gone (Ritchie Blackmore)

Gibson Les Paul (USA) first sold by Gibson company in 1952

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym96GPFu6fI
Jimmy Page

Ibanez (Japan) First designs date from the late 1950s

Initially copies of American designs.
From late 1980s developed the “Jem” as a result of work
with Steve Vai.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw74sDWPH7U
Steve Vai

6
Instruments of Popular Music: Bass
The bass guitar has largely replaced the double bass in popular music since the 1960s.
Tuned to the same strings as the double bass: EADG.
This instrument functions as the bass within the rhythm section.

Early 1950s Fender Precision Bass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2l7jyiiQvs

Current Fender Precision Bass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-
NcRmVcw
The Final Countdown (Europe)

1970s Gibson Thunderbird

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfWPqRtozh0
Since You Been Gone (Roger Glover)

Warwick Bass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjkFJkbm3vA
Victor Wooton: Amazing Grace 7
 Standard 5 Shell Drum Kit

Listen and watch the track below. Look at how the drum kit has
developed since the 1950s...

Decade Link Artist / Track

Johnny Cash
1950s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KLGIMfgahU
I Walk the Line
The Beatles
1960s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-VAxGJdJeQ
Twist and Shout
Rainbow
1970s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfWPqRtozh0
Since You Been Gone
Europe
1980s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw
The Final Countdown
Oasis
1990s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbIRQR6FkhU
Supersonic
Pharrell Williams
2000s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbw9IqWe404
Happy
8
 Early developments in Music Technology 1950s

Basic effects such as REVERB and DELAY were being used. These effects were heavily
reliant on room acoustics and specially constructed ECHO CHAMBERS.
SLAP BACK delay (a very quick delay) is a feature of Rock n Roll.

Heartbreak Hotel: Elvis Presley 1956 (2.08)

Listen to the vocals on this track for slap
back delay.

Other useful points:

12 bar blues chord structure

Simple Verse Chorus Structure:

V1 – C – V2 – C – V3 – C – V4 – INST. - V2 - C

Be Bop a Lula: Gene Vincent 1956 (2.34)

Listen to the Vocals on this track for slap
back delay.

Other useful points:

12 bar blues chord structure

Variant of verse chorus:

Chorus – Verse - chorus – Instrumental –

Verse – Chorus – Instrumental - Chorus

Maybelline : Chuck Berry 1955 (2.18)

Early examples of primitive distortion on guitars

Other useful points:

Use of 12 bar blues chord structure in chorus.

Verses remain on single chord throughout.

Intro – C – V1 – C – V2 – C – Inst. – V3 – C - Outro

9
 In the Listening Examination there will be a number of questions that
specifically refer to the use of Music Technology .
Some of the more general music technology and effects are included here.
Remember, this isn't a Music Technology exam, so you should just focus on
basic information. Always be specific about how and where the tech. features.

Effect What does it do? Try listening to... Used by...

Distortion / Boosts the signal to create Purple Haze ( Hendrix 1967) Guitarists
Overdrive a fuzzy sound. You Really Got Me (The Kinks 1964)
I Can’t Get No Satisfaction
(Rolling Stones 1965)
Rumble (Link Wray 1958)
The Trooper (Iron Maiden 1983)
Hysteria (Muse 2003) Bass Guitar
Uprising (Muse 2009)
Figure it Out (Royal Blood)

Reverb Short for reverberation. When the Levee Breaks(Zeppelin) Drums

Sound is reflected back to In the Air Tonight (Phil Collins 1981) Drums
the listener like an echo. Running Up That Hill (Kate Bush)

Tremolo Causes a change in Bang Band (Nancy Sinatra 1966) Guitar

volume, creating a tremor. Radiohead (Bones 1995) Guitar
Referred to as How Soon is Now? (Smiths 1984) Guitar
“underwater effect.”
Delay Similar to chorus and Keep Yourself Alive (Queen) Rhythm Guitar
/Flanger phaser. Flanger is a very Life in the Fast Lane (Eagles) Guitar
short delay.
Wah Guitar effects pedal. Voo doo Child (Hendrix) Guitar
Tries to create the sound Papa Was A Rolling Stone (Temptations) Guitar
of a human voice.
Loop Allows you to record a 8 String + Loop Pedal (Rob Scallon) Guitar
track and repeat for as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu7Zvjiq0nE
long as required. Tracks Rain (Rob Scallon)
can include all instruments https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArYTqj1zRBo
as well as ambient sounds.
Tracks can be layered as Rain with live delay! Guitar, Vocals,
required. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-woP9ghLVE Keys
Shape of You (Ed Sheeran)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4Y-ZnNGxVI
Vocoder The effect of “vocoding” Hide and Seek (Imogen Heap 2005) Vocals
can be referred to as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYIAfiVGluk
“talking synthesiser.” Race Babbling (Stevie Wonder 1979)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGhSJIMHeoo
The Robots (Kraftwerk 1982)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wop47G2qeY
I Miss You (Clean Bandit 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZs1AHQBz24
Mr. Blue Sky (1977) (at 4.55’)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVIxDpvjJr0
10
From the 1950s there was rapid development in recorded music formats…… this has had a
significant impact on what can be recorded and the length of recordings made.

Identify these formats…

Complete the grid on the page opposite..

2. 3.

1.

4.
5.

6. 8.

7.

11
 Approx. year
Recording Format name Approx. available recording time in mins.
introduced
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Thought provoking Questions………..

1. How does the recording format affect what can be recorded?

2. Why have some formats failed?

3. Why do other formats succeed?

4. Does the audio quality improve with the latest technology? What are the pros and cons?

5. Why do you think vinyl is enjoying such a “renaissance”….

12
 1952: Queen Elizabeth II
Coronation.

1957: Soviet Union

1952: First hydrogen bomb tested launch SPUTNIK.

1956: Elvis’ career begins.

1956: Suez Crisis

1958: NASA is established.

1955: Rosa Parks. 13

 Wider Listening 1950s
Hound Dog by Elvis Presley 1952 (2.52s)
This track topped the charts for 11 weeks which remained
unsurpassed for the next 36 years! 12 Bar Blues.

Rumble by Link Wray 1954 (2.25s).

The early stages of distortion and feedback.
Banned as it was believed that the distorted
guitar tones may insight bad behaviour from
teenagers!

Rock Around the Clock: Bill Haley 1954 (2.08s)

12 Bar Blues. The track was used as the opening
to the film “Blackboard Jungle.”
Considered to be risky but hugely popular with teenagers!
NOTE the percussive playing on double bass when the string
hits the fretboard.

I Walk the Line: Johnny Cash 1956 (2.45s)

Note simple chords I IV V
Cash says this chord seq. was inspired
by playing ideas backwards on a reel to reel tape.

Great Balls of Fire: Gerry Lee Lewis 1957 (1.52s)

Song in AABB structure. Hugely successful and is one of the
best selling singles of all time! Three piece band: Piano &
Vox, Bass , Kit.

Johnny B.Goode: Chuck Berry 1958 (2.41s)

Guitar clearly the most important feature.
This style of playing had a significant effect on future
guitarists.

La Bamba : Ritchie Valens 1958 (2.06)

Lyrics in Spanish!
VC structure
I IV V IV seq.
Guitar solo
Tutti Fruitti: Little Richard 1955 (2.19s)
Means “All Fruits” in Italian. Opening lyrics said
to imitate a drum pattern.
Powerful vocals with distinctive beat and
rhythm set the standard for Rock n Roll

14
Note: length of tracks (due to recording formats) and huge influence of the 12 bar blues!
 Compare and Contrast Listening

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzQ8GDBA8Is
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoHDrzw-RPg

_________________________________
_________________________________

ORIGINAL
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75Aq_mBMHQs
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________15
 BASIC computer language introduced.

John F. Kennedy elected President of USA.

Indira Gandhi becomes the Prime Minister of India. Martin Luther King speech “I have a Dream”

The first manned

Apollo mission,
Apollo 7, is launched
by NASA.

Spiderman makes
his debut!

Mary Quant
South African doctor Christiaan Barnard
designs the
mini skirt.
16
completes the first heart transplant operation
 Wider Listening 1960s
All Along the Watch Tower
by Hendrix (1968 4 Mins)

Hush, Deep Purple

(1968 2.30)

The Kinks, You Really Got Me (1964)

Heard it Through the Grapevine,

Marvin Gaye (1968)

My Generation,
The Who (1965)

Be My baby,
The Ronettes (1964)

Good Vibrations,
Beach Boys (1966)
RESPECT,
Aretha Franklin
(1967)

Green Onions,
Booker T & The MCs(1962) Wailing Wailers,
Bob Marley (1965)

I Can’t Get No Satisfaction,

Rolling Stones 1965
Twist and Shout,
The Beatles (1964)
2.05

Space Oddity,
David Bowie (1969)

17
Note: Increased track lengths, variations in emerging styles over the decade.
 Compare and Contrast Question

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzanOzyqgas
_________________________________
_________________________________
ORIGINAL

Bob Dylan (original) 1967
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLV4_xaYynY

_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Jimi Hendrix (Cover) 1968

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDRJwCSEcoA

_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
18
Devlin Ft. Sheeran (Cover) 2012
 Compare and Contrast Question
ORIGINAL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoJP65nAMGA
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Hush : Billy Joe Royal _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1PNvopXjbg
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________ Hush : Deep Purple

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh7r_f_rw0c

_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
19
Hush : Kula Shaker