Silent Starter On your whiteboard: - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Silent StarterOn your whiteboard:List as many styles of Popular Music as you can.Can you describe them? What do they sound like?What instruments do they have?

2. Styles of Pop Music – How many did you get?Popular music is music that is enjoyed by the masses and originated in the USA and UK in the mid-1950s. Rock music is generally accepted as a style which sounds more aggressive, but also of significance are the more ‘gentle’ and reflective rock ballad-type tracks. There are many sub-genres to this style which originated in the USA as ‘rock and roll’ in the mid 1950s.Soul music originated in the 1970s and was influenced heavily by gospel music. Reggae music originated from the West Indies and became popular in the 1970s. Hip-hop music is a style of rap which originated in the 1980s, which added ‘scratching’ onto records. Ballad is a type of song which tells a story. In rock and pop this is usually a love story.Bhangra is the fusion of traditional Indian/Pakistani music with modern club dance music. Fusion is music in which two or more styles are blended e.g. pop and classical.Rap is a type of pop music originating from the USA where the words are spoken quickly and rhythmically against an instrumental backing.

3. Popular Music: Rock Band InstrumentationObjective: To explore the instrumentation of a rock band.Outcome: Identify the instruments used and some instrument specific techniques. I can identify the typical rhythm section instruments of a rock band. I can describe the difference between a lead and rhythm guitarist. I can describe a number of instrument specific techniques.

4. Typical Rock Band InstrumentationTypical instruments you often associate with a rock band are: Electric Guitar (Lead and Rhythm)Bass GuitarDrum KitLike music from the Jazz and the Blues topic we call this the ‘Rhythm Section’ as they are responsible for setting the tempo and creating the beat. There are also often a variety of the following: Keyboard/organ/synthesisers‘Frontline’ instruments like Jazz Bands: Trumpet, Trombone, SaxThese often take solo roles in the bridge or instrumental section or contribute to providing the groove of the music.

5. Electric Guitar (Rhythm)The rhythm guitar (as it is sometimes known) is played on an ordinary electric guitar with six strings. It supports the rhythm by strumming the chords – hence its name.

6. Bass Guitar The bass guitar is a little larger than the electric guitar and usually has 4 strings. However, some basses have five or six strings. The strings are plucked or slapped. The bass guitar plays the lowest notes of the group.

7. Drum Kit The drum kit contains several drums and cymbals all played by one person. Early kits had fewer instruments, where as later kits have many more drums and cymbals and some drummers use electronic kits. The drum kit contains the: Ride cymbalCrash CymbalHi-hat cymbalsBass drumToms (3 different sizes)Snare DrumAerial viewYou must know what the bass and snare drum sound like and also the difference between the ride cymbal and hi-hat. The drum kit often plays an ostinato rhythm with fills being played at the end of phrases. Drum fills usually provide variety to the rhythm pattern of the song. You also need to know what a rim shot is which is a stick striking the metal edge of the snare drum.

8. Rock Band InstrumentationSome rock bands use a ‘Power Trio’ which consists of lead guitar, bass guitar and drums and others call this the ‘rhythm section’. The problem with this instrumentation is that it leaves a hole in the texture as there is no instrument playing the chords which would usually be played by the rhythm guitar or keyboard. In bands where this happens more emphasis is placed on the solos using amplification. Lead instruments are often found in many rock groups. The lead is often taken by the lead electric guitar if there are two guitarists. The lead will often play a couple of solos and often harmonise with the lead vocalist. The other guitarist (rhythm guitarist) will provide the chordal backing. Many rock and pop groups have keyboard players called keyboardists. This became popular in the 1960s when electric synthesisers and Hammond organs were commonly used. The synthesisers (similar to keyboards in the classroom) were used to provide extra effects or sound like an orchestra. Watch the Hammond Organ being demonstrated here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdABfAzkQIo

9. Keywords – must knowLead Guitar: The guitarist which performs the solos and sings harmonies with the main vocalist. Rhythm guitar: The guitarist which provides the chordal accompaniment. Rhythm Section: In a rock band this consists of the Drum kit, Bass Guitar and rhythm guitar and/or keyboard/organ. Amplified: Increase the volume of a sound using an amplifier or PA system. Rim shot: Hitting the rim and head of the drum with a drum stick at the same time.Synthesiser: An electronic keyboard which is capable of playing different sounds.

10. Task: Write a paragraph which: 1. Names the instruments in the rhythm section of a rock band. 2. States the difference between the lead and rhythm guitarist. 3. Names and describes some instrument specific techniques you might here performed by a rock band. I can identify the typical rhythm section instruments of a rock band. I can describe the difference between a lead and rhythm guitarist. I can describe a number of instrument specific techniques.