Jazz, Jazz, BluesBlues and and Popular MusicPopular Music

OriginsOriginsFrom the middle ages From the middle ages onwards africans onwards africans abducted and forced to abducted and forced to work as slaves in work as slaves in Europe and the Europe and the coloniescoloniesSlavery not abolished Slavery not abolished in the United States in the United States until 1860s after until 1860s after American CivilAmerican Civil

African-influenced music in African-influenced music in AmericaAmerica

Aspects of African music:Aspects of African music:– Exciting Exciting rhythmsrhythms– Improvised Improvised harmonyharmony– Improvised lyrics and Improvised lyrics and

melodymelody– Improvised decoration of Improvised decoration of

melodymelody

ImproviseImprovise – to make – to make something up as you’re something up as you’re doing itdoing it

SpiritualsSpirituals

Lyrics : Lyrics : escape earthly escape earthly suffering through suffering through deathdeath(metaphor for going (metaphor for going home to Africa)home to Africa)

Combination ofCombination ofEuropean European hymnhymn tunestunes African rhythmsAfrican rhythmsimprovisationimprovisation

JazzJazz and and BluesBlues

JazzJazz describes most describes most African-influenced African-influenced music from 20music from 20thth century onwardscentury onwards

Jazz includes:Jazz includes:– BluesBlues– RagtimeRagtime– Dixieland JazzDixieland Jazz– Swing (Big band)Swing (Big band)

BluesBlues

Influenced Influenced jazzjazz and and rockrock music right up to music right up to presentpresent

Origins - Mississippi Origins - Mississippi DeltaDelta

BluesBluesImprovisedImprovised lyrics about bad luck lyrics about bad luck

12 Bar Blues12 Bar Blues Chord sequenceChord sequence

Blues scaleBlues scale: like a : like a minor scaleminor scale but with but with chromaticchromatic movement movement

SyncopatedSyncopated blues scale notes blues scale notes accompaniedaccompanied by by major chordsmajor chords = = bluesy soundbluesy sound

Blues ScaleBlues Scale

12 Bar Blues12 Bar Blues

Uses only 3 Uses only 3 majormajor chordschordsChordChord: 2 or more notes played together: 2 or more notes played togetherMost music = Most music = melodymelody accompaniedaccompanied by by chordschordsTriadsTriads are the basis for all chords are the basis for all chordsE.g. C majorE.g. C major– CC at the bottom at the bottom– EE 2 steps (a 3 2 steps (a 3rdrd) above it) above it– GG 2 steps (a 3 2 steps (a 3rdrd) above that) above that

12 Bar Blues12 Bar Bluesmost common chords are most common chords are triadstriads built on built on certain notes of the certain notes of the major scalemajor scaleThe notes are the The notes are the 11stst, , 44thth and and 55thth in the in the scalescaleC major C major – chords are C, F and G (chords named after chords are C, F and G (chords named after

their “their “rootsroots”)”)

12 Bar Blues12 Bar Blues

11 11 11 11

The first line is a phrase 4 bars long, 4 beats in each bar

12 Bar Blues12 Bar Blues

11 11 11 11

44 44 11 11

12 Bar Blues12 Bar Blues

11 11 11 11

44 44 11 11

55 44 11 1/51/5

12 Bar Blues in D12 Bar Blues in D

DD DD DD DD

GG GG DD DD

AA GG DD D/AD/A

Blues SongsBlues Songs

Each verse is 3 lines longEach verse is 3 lines longLyrics originally improvisedLyrics originally improvisedSinger sings of hardship, poverty or bad Singer sings of hardship, poverty or bad luckluckI’m a stranger here, just blown in your townI’m a stranger here, just blown in your town

2nd line usually the same as 1st

Yes I’m a Stranger here, just blown in your townYes I’m a Stranger here, just blown in your town

3rd line rhymes with the first

Because I’m a stranger everybody wants to dog me roundBecause I’m a stranger everybody wants to dog me round

Blues SongsBlues Songs

voicevoice and and guitarguitar or or voicevoice and and pianopiano

Later Later ensemblesensembles of drums, bass and of drums, bass and electric guitarelectric guitar and and slide guitarslide guitar

harmonicaharmonica or “blues harp” associated with or “blues harp” associated with blues blues

Slide GuitarSlide Guitar

Traditionally played with a bottle neck but Traditionally played with a bottle neck but more often a metal tube round his fingersmore often a metal tube round his fingers

Earliest Earliest jazzjazz to to become popular become popular

““composed”, written composed”, written downdown

Earliest Black music Earliest Black music more widely knownmore widely known

Played in bars and Played in bars and brothels - turn of the brothels - turn of the 2020thth century century

Scott Joplin - most Scott Joplin - most famous composerfamous composer

RagtimeRagtime

Based on Based on marching band marching band musicmusic

Steady Steady vampvamp in in the left hand the left hand keeps the keeps the beatbeat

Right hand is Right hand is syncopatedsyncopated

Often features Often features diminisheddiminished chordschords

RagtimeRagtime

The EntertainerThe Entertainer

DixielandDixieland JazzJazzEarliest Earliest jazzjazz bands bandsEvolved from Evolved from marching bandsmarching bandsSimple song tunes Simple song tunes with with variationvariationRagtimeRagtime rhythms rhythms and tunesand tunesBluesBlues chord chord progressions and progressions and scalesscalesSyncopationSyncopation and and alternating alternating improvisedimprovised solos solos

Typical instruments were:Typical instruments were:– ClarinetClarinet– TrumpetTrumpet– BanjoBanjo– PianoPiano– TromboneTrombone– TubaTuba– Double BassDouble Bass– DrumkitDrumkit

DixielandDixieland JazzJazz

DixielandDixieland JazzJazz

Look out for the following concepts:•Improvisation•Muting•Bending/sliding•Syncopation•Vamp•polyphony

SwingSwingJazz was the dance music of the early 20Jazz was the dance music of the early 20thth Century Century Bands became bigger (hence “Big Band”)Bands became bigger (hence “Big Band”)Due to large numbers of players, tunes needed to be Due to large numbers of players, tunes needed to be “arranged”“arranged”A conductor or “Bandleader” would keep things togetherA conductor or “Bandleader” would keep things togetherSyncopationSyncopation, Jazzy Chords, less improvisation, Jazzy Chords, less improvisation

Swing BandsSwing Bands

Trumpets

Trombones

Saxophones

Rhythm section– Piano– Bass– Drum kit– Guitar

Vocalist

Swing BandSwing Band

A swing band in A swing band in actionaction

Other Jazz ConceptsOther Jazz ConceptsWalking BassWalking Bass– Bass line “walks” around, moving by step, mostly one Bass line “walks” around, moving by step, mostly one

note per beatnote per beat

RiffRiff– An ostinato in popular music – an obstinately An ostinato in popular music – an obstinately

repeating patternrepeating pattern

Other Jazz ConceptsOther Jazz ConceptsScat SingingScat Singing– Improvised singing without words – the voice is used Improvised singing without words – the voice is used

like an instrument. (“Doobie waaaah”)like an instrument. (“Doobie waaaah”)

Boogie WoogieBoogie Woogie– Fast piano playingFast piano playing

Left hand 12 bar blues fast swing rhythmLeft hand 12 bar blues fast swing rhythmRight hand improvised runsRight hand improvised runs

Country Country MusicMusicThis is the most popular music in the This is the most popular music in the

Southern States of America. It has roots in Southern States of America. It has roots in European Folk Music.European Folk Music.

Typical features of Country music Typical features of Country music songs:songs:

– They tell stories, (ballads)They tell stories, (ballads)– They put across a simple moral messageThey put across a simple moral message– SentimentalSentimental– Sung with a southern USA accentSung with a southern USA accent– A clear cut sound with no distortion A clear cut sound with no distortion

Country Country MusicMusicCountry and Western Bands Country and Western Bands

normally consist of -normally consist of -AcousticAcoustic GuitarGuitar, (sometimes , (sometimes SLIDE GUITARSLIDE GUITAR))Pedal steel guitar (to give a Pedal steel guitar (to give a characteristic Hawiian sound)characteristic Hawiian sound)BassBass and and drumsdrumsFiddle or Mandolin or Banjo Fiddle or Mandolin or Banjo sometimes.sometimes.Later influenced by the blues -Later influenced by the blues -modern modern Country Blues Country Blues style style

Rock Music since 1950sRock Music since 1950s

““Teenager” invented in USA in 1950’s Teenager” invented in USA in 1950’s positive mood of post war prosperity.positive mood of post war prosperity.Rock ’n’ Roll considered shocking by Rock ’n’ Roll considered shocking by older generation older generation entirely aimed at “Teenagers”.entirely aimed at “Teenagers”.Roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll:Roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll:– Country and Western MusicCountry and Western Music– City BluesCity Blues

Earliest examples of Rock n’ Roll by Earliest examples of Rock n’ Roll by Country Band, Country Band, Bill Haley and the Bill Haley and the CometsComets. . – Clean guitar soundClean guitar sound– Double bassDouble bass– Ground breaking but limited successGround breaking but limited success

Rock Music since 1950sRock Music since 1950s

Elvis PresleyElvis Presley was was far more successful:far more successful:– Bluesy style of singingBluesy style of singing– distorteddistorted guitar guitar– Performed in sexually Performed in sexually

provocative way. provocative way. – Parents shocked - his Parents shocked - his

popularity increased with popularity increased with the rebellious young.the rebellious young.

Rock Music since 1950sRock Music since 1950s

Chuck BerryChuck Berry wrote songs about wrote songs about and for teenagers and their lives. and for teenagers and their lives. – first Black Rock ‘n’ Roll first Black Rock ‘n’ Roll

singer/songwriter. singer/songwriter. – Piano Boogie rhythm on the lower Piano Boogie rhythm on the lower

strings of his electric guitar strings of his electric guitar – distorteddistorted Guitar solos using blues scale. Guitar solos using blues scale. – influential on future Bands and singer influential on future Bands and singer

songwriters songwriters

Rock Music since 1950sRock Music since 1950s

Other Rock ‘n’ Rollers were Other Rock ‘n’ Rollers were Jerry Lee Jerry Lee LewisLewis and and Little RichardLittle Richard, both used Piano as , both used Piano as main instrument in the band instead of Guitar.main instrument in the band instead of Guitar.

Rock Music since 1950sRock Music since 1950s

Various scandals and events brought Rock ’n’ Roll to an abrupt end Various scandals and events brought Rock ’n’ Roll to an abrupt end at the end of the 50’s:at the end of the 50’s:Little Richard became an evangelist and sang Gospel songs Little Richard became an evangelist and sang Gospel songs instead.instead.Elvis entered the Army.Elvis entered the Army.Jerry lee Lewis was involved in a scandal when he married an Jerry lee Lewis was involved in a scandal when he married an underage girl who was also his cousin.underage girl who was also his cousin.Chuck Berry was put in Prison for breaking immigration laws.Chuck Berry was put in Prison for breaking immigration laws.Buddy Holly and several other stars were killed in a plane crash.Buddy Holly and several other stars were killed in a plane crash.

1960s1960s

Black music and blues continues to be Black music and blues continues to be influentialinfluential

Slick production and marketing begins to Slick production and marketing begins to be more heavily usedbe more heavily used

Tradition of bands writing their own Tradition of bands writing their own material beginsmaterial begins

1960s1960s

Early 1960s “Early 1960s “PopPop”. ”. music industry began to manipulate it. music industry began to manipulate it. reaction to rebellious rock ‘n’ roll, New clean cut/clean reaction to rebellious rock ‘n’ roll, New clean cut/clean living American sound reflected lifestyle of white middle living American sound reflected lifestyle of white middle class teenagers.class teenagers.Today Pop refers to light popular music. Today Pop refers to light popular music. RockRock is used for music with a harder edge-more serious is used for music with a harder edge-more serious and poetic. and poetic. Rock bandsRock bands play live and use electric guitars often play live and use electric guitars often writing their own songs.writing their own songs.Pop groupsPop groups are usually “manufactured” by the recording are usually “manufactured” by the recording industry. songs written for them musicians provided for industry. songs written for them musicians provided for backing in the studio or live.backing in the studio or live.

1960s1960s

Elsewhere Record companies exploited the new Elsewhere Record companies exploited the new market for teenage music by putting together market for teenage music by putting together groups and singers and getting teams of groups and singers and getting teams of songwriters to come up with songs for themsongwriters to come up with songs for them

The lyrics concerned the trials of teenage The lyrics concerned the trials of teenage romance or about having fun.romance or about having fun.

What Chords are being used?What Chords are being used?

The The chord progressionschord progressions were often were often I-VI-IV-VI-VI-IV-V

1960s1960sBlack music was making a Black music was making a comeback singing was comeback singing was more soulful.more soulful. Black artists changed Black artists changed “god” to “baby”, and “god” to “baby”, and Rhythm and blues Rhythm and blues andand SoulSoul was born. was born.Evolved into other forms - Evolved into other forms - “Doo Wop” sung vocal “Doo Wop” sung vocal harmony. harmony. DriftersDrifters and then and then CoastersCoasters had success by had success by appealing to Teenage appealing to Teenage marketmarket

James Brown

Black MusicBlack Music

Black music in 1960s. Black music in 1960s. Phil SpectorPhil Spector, (producer “The Spector Sound” , (producer “The Spector Sound” added orchestral instruments : French horns, strings “wall of sound” added orchestral instruments : French horns, strings “wall of sound” ReverbReverbSOULSOULThe The Tamala MotownTamala Motown label (Detroit - “Motor Town”) combined black label (Detroit - “Motor Town”) combined black music with teenage pop lyrics. music with teenage pop lyrics. Black songwriters successfully wrote for black bands and artists Black songwriters successfully wrote for black bands and artists StaxStax records, - rougher edge / performances more intense/ backing records, - rougher edge / performances more intense/ backing simpler, just simpler, just – GuitarGuitar– bass guitar bass guitar – drums drums – organ organ – brass section.brass section.

Song StructureSong Structure

Some kinds of classical songs are Some kinds of classical songs are THROUGHTHROUGH ––COMPOSEDCOMPOSED – new melody for every new line or phrase of the song new melody for every new line or phrase of the song

wordswords (lyrics). (lyrics). – Lyrics and melody patterns repeated in unusual wayLyrics and melody patterns repeated in unusual way

SOULSOUL Rhythm and Blues- Blues song structure Rhythm and Blues- Blues song structure Pop music - structure from Jazz and folk song.Pop music - structure from Jazz and folk song.– STROPHICSTROPHIC :regular structure :regular structure, makes song more , makes song more

catchy and memorable. catchy and memorable. – verses have same melodyverses have same melody each time each time– Chorus or refrain exactly repeated between each Chorus or refrain exactly repeated between each

verseverse

Song StructureSong Structure

ChorusChorus – – the bit in between the verses which is the same every the bit in between the verses which is the same every timetime. . – actually means many voices are singing. originally audience actually means many voices are singing. originally audience

“joined in with the chorus” repetition made it best known part of “joined in with the chorus” repetition made it best known part of song.song.

The middle 8The middle 8– When 2/3 of the way through, When 2/3 of the way through, melody changes keymelody changes key ( (modulatesmodulates) ) – short 8 – 16 bar section with different words and music to the short 8 – 16 bar section with different words and music to the

rest of the songrest of the song. . – Often followed by either instrumental section based on the chord Often followed by either instrumental section based on the chord

progression from the verse or chorus or a simple return to the progression from the verse or chorus or a simple return to the verse and chorus pattern of the rest of the song.verse and chorus pattern of the rest of the song.

Song StructureSong Structure

IntroductionIntroductionVerse 1Verse 1– Lead singer backing Vocals harmonise end of each lineLead singer backing Vocals harmonise end of each line– Ends with short “refrain” like a short chorus but just one line Ends with short “refrain” like a short chorus but just one line

Verse 2 Verse 2 – same structure as verse 1 but with different words except for refrainsame structure as verse 1 but with different words except for refrain

Middle 8Middle 8

Repeat of verse 1Repeat of verse 1Repeat of verse 1 Repeat of verse 1 – except lead vocalist sings scatexcept lead vocalist sings scat– Ends with RefrainEnds with Refrain

AABAAAABAA

Song StructureSong Structure

Further InnovationFurther InnovationGreater variety of instruments added: like:Greater variety of instruments added: like:

Brass sectionBrass section– trumpets trombones saxophones trumpets trombones saxophones – playing playing riffsriffs and to fill out the sound at times. and to fill out the sound at times.

Close Close harmonyharmony singing singing– Beach boys and Beatles like “Boy Bands” and “Girl bands” more Beach boys and Beatles like “Boy Bands” and “Girl bands” more

recently, sang songs together in harmony.recently, sang songs together in harmony.– harmonyharmony rich sound of rich sound of two or more notes from a chord are played or two or more notes from a chord are played or

sung togethersung together..Backing VocalsBacking Vocals– small group of singers singing behind thesmall group of singers singing behind the LeadLead vocalistvocalist ( (the main the main

singer).singer). Either: Either:wordless “aah…” in harmony wordless “aah…” in harmony repeat/imitate lead vocalist repeat/imitate lead vocalist question and answerquestion and answer between lead and backing vocals. between lead and backing vocals.

Beach BoysBeach Boys

The west coast sound The west coast sound The music celebrated The music celebrated lifestyle well off, fun on the lifestyle well off, fun on the beach summer, cars, girls, beach summer, cars, girls, surfing.surfing.early songs simple such as early songs simple such as the 12 bar blues. the 12 bar blues. Later more introspective Later more introspective and musically complex.and musically complex.Brian Wilson’s Brian Wilson’s sophisticated songwriting sophisticated songwriting influenced the Beatlesinfluenced the Beatles

BOB DYLANBOB DYLAN1960s, influenced by Woody Guthrie’s 1960s, influenced by Woody Guthrie’s ballads and protest songs. ballads and protest songs. protest songs like protest songs like Blowin’ in the WindBlowin’ in the Wind. . old folk tunes - his own words added, old folk tunes - his own words added, developed own style. developed own style. pioneered pioneered Folk RockFolk Rock electric rock electric rock instruments instruments became more “bluesey”, reflecting became more “bluesey”, reflecting black influences. black influences. Later experimented with other styles, Later experimented with other styles, like like GospelGospel and and CountryCountry and and Western.Western.Other bands Covered Dylan’s songs: Other bands Covered Dylan’s songs: The Byrds, their version of Mr The Byrds, their version of Mr Tambourine Man starts with Tambourine Man starts with 12 12 STRING GUITARSTRING GUITAR.. Either acoustic or Either acoustic or electric this instrument has two of electric this instrument has two of each string, usually tuned an octave each string, usually tuned an octave apart. full and rich Jangly 60s soundapart. full and rich Jangly 60s sound

The BeatlesThe Beatles

Took influences from Took influences from Rock n Roll and Rock n Roll and Black musicBlack musicTook song writing to Took song writing to a new levela new levelImportance of studio Importance of studio craftcraftWrote in a variety of Wrote in a variety of stylesstyles

Other Popular Music conceptsOther Popular Music concepts

Effects:Effects:– DistortionDistortion – trademark “fuzzy” electric guitar – trademark “fuzzy” electric guitar

soundsound– ReverbReverb – makes the music sound like it’s – makes the music sound like it’s

being played in a vast echo-ey place like an being played in a vast echo-ey place like an aircraft hangaraircraft hangar

– DelayDelay – lots of little echoes – lots of little echoes

Other Popular Music conceptsOther Popular Music concepts

Instrument sounds:Instrument sounds:– SynthesiserSynthesiser – the proper name for a – the proper name for a

keyboard, imitating the sounds of real keyboard, imitating the sounds of real instruments or making up new soundsinstruments or making up new sounds

– Slap BassSlap Bass – percussive bass sound – percussive bass sound– Fretless BassFretless Bass – allows glissando and sliding – allows glissando and sliding

between notes like a double bassbetween notes like a double bass– Electronic DrumsElectronic Drums