Rock music in the 1960s and 1970s
The 1960s saw the formation of many rock bands. The rock 'n' rollA music style in the 1950s that includes guitars, drums, vocals and double bass. Often orientates around the 12-bar blues. style peaked in the previous decade and evolved into a more guitar-dominated genre known as rock. Many of these bands developed new subgenres of rock and carried on production techniqueMethod of creating a specific musical sound using recording and studio technology. music in the 1970s. Some of the most famous rock bands to emerge from this period included The Kinks, The Doors, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.
Most rock songs follow a verse-chorus structureThe organisation of musical sections to create contrast, development and order in an overall form, eg verse-chorus. and are in 4/4 time. The harmonic patterns often revolve around chords I, IV, V and vi. A rock band is traditionally made up of lead and rhythm electric guitar, a lead singer, a bass guitarist and a drummer. As rock developed and became more experimental, chord patterns became more complicated and new instruments were added into songs. Bands incorporated keyboards, synthesiserAn electronic keyboard that allows the player to change the sound., orchestral instruments and new electric effects pedals Guitar effects are electronic devices that modify the sound of the instrument eg, wah-wah pedal. . They also experimented with different instrumental techniques in order to find new sounds. Many subgenres of rock emerged during this period including psychedelic rockA type of rock music inspired by the psychedelic culture. , hard rock, punk rock, glam rockA style of rock music originating from the UK in the 1970s. The musicians were recognisable through their eccentric costumes, hair, make-up and performances. , progressive rock and heavy metal.
Advances in music technology
Developments in technology also played an important role in rock music. Advances in recording equipment allowed bands to expand the original rock band line-up and record multiple instruments using four and eight-track recorders. Songs also became longer and often had themes. In 1975, Queen released Bohemian Rhapsody. The song is through-composedWhen each stanza has different music. which means it has no chorus and made up of unrelated sections. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles and The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd are both examples of concept albums containing songs linked by a theme.
The rock band
A rock band is traditionally made up of a lead and rhythm electric guitar, a lead singer, a bass guitarist and a drummer. As rock evolved, new and exciting instruments and effects were added. As the songs on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band were never meant to be performed live, additional instruments were added to the original recordings through overdubbingA process where new sounds/ music are added to an existing recording.. This technique was used on With A Little Help from My Friends.