MUSICAL GENRESMusic of our Generation

20TH CENTURY CULTURE

*Because of increasing numbers, this caused people to move to urban and suburban environments.Provided more choices

*Urbanization—the development of a culture that is the result of the crowding and intensity of a city lifestyle.

Diverse and sometimes unruly culture

Mix of different genres

RHYTHM

AND

BLUES

(R & B)

1950s and 1960s Popular music of African Americans that became “soul ” or “funk” in the 1970s Vocal melody, strong rhythmic backbeat, rhythm section which consisted of drum set, bass, keyboard, and or electric guitar Lyrics often followed “pop” style 1980s newer style of R&B developed: Contemporary R&B.

Combines elements of hip hop, R&B, and soul music.

Example: Stevie Wonder

Top R&B Artists

James Brown

Aretha FranklinMarvin Gaye Otis ReddingStevie Wonder

Gladys Knight & The Pips

The Drifters

Etta James

ROCK-N-

ROLL

New musical influence due to southern African American’s moving to northern cities

1955 Rock & Roll emerged with Billy Haley’s recording of “Rock Around the Clock”

1960s became more amplified and electrifiedInstruments:Electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboard instrumentssubgenres of Rock: hard rock, soul rock, punk, heavy metal, new wave, syntho-rock, jazz-rock fusion, and grunge rock

MODERN ROCK!

Some classical composers are weaving elements of rock into classical works and vice versa

Today rock music sometimes suffers from other musicians trying to copy what has been invented before.

The use of synthesizers has been added

Subgenres added—soft rock, glam rock, progressive rock (added in the 1970s)

Rock Band: lead singer, electric guitarist, drummer, bass guitarist

ROCK ARTISTS/BANDS

Rock and Roll: Elvis Presley Surf Music: The Beach Boys British Invasion: The Beatles Blues Rock: Eric Clapton Folk Rock: Bob Dylan Psychedelic Rock: Jimi Hendrix Progressive Rock: Yes Hard Rock: Led Zeppelin Christian Rock: Stryper Punk Rock: The Clash Alternative Rock: R.E.M Grunge: Nirvana Pop Punk: Green Day Indie Rock: The Pavement Rap Metal: Linkin Park

Rap

Invented by African American youth in the Bronx, NYC “talky form of ‘singing’ that often reports on the harsh realities of urban America” Lyrics have been described as obscene and socially irresponsible. First piece of rap music that was declared obscene in US district court: “As Nasty as They Wanna Be” by 2 Live Crew

This lead to major controversy and even imprisonment

Aggressive rebellious, confrontational lyrics

RAP TODAY

A.k.a. Hip Hop Rap can be improvised Language of ordinary young people living in urban culture

*Performed a capella (without music) or to a beat

RAP ARTISTS AND SONGS

MC Hammer: “Can’t Touch This” One of the first hip hop hits

Snoop Dogg Dr. Dre Eminem Kanye West

CREATE

YOUR

OWN

RAP!

Groups of 4Clean LyricsDaily life at WOHS WOHS sports, extracurricular activity, class, tests, etc.

COUNTRY

Began in 1920s Roots from Folk tradition

Fiddle music Become very popular with city dwellers and people from the country

*Instruments characteristic of sound: steel guitar, Guitar, fiddle

Songs about the less complex and simpler life which many city dwellers want Nashville—famous for

country musicGrande Old Opry

Types:Cowboy music, urban country, western swing, honky tonk music

Vernon Dalhart—first country singer with nationwide hit: “Wreck of the Old `97” in 1924 Jimmie Rodgers— ”Father of Country Music”, first very successful recording artist Garth Brooks--the

most popular country music artist Rascal Flats Reba McIntyre Keith Urban

COUNTRY ARTISTS

POP

1920s—songs known as “having popular appeal” Usually short simple love songs Commercially recorded

Technological innovations

Often considered to be a softer alternative to Rock and Roll *Types

Bubblegum pop, Christian pop, Dance- pop, Teen pop, Traditional pop