Notes on the Listening Examples for UNITS 1-2

1. Backbeat Examples If you count out loud “1-2-3-4” over and over and clap when you say “2” and “4” you are clapping the backbeat. The backbeat is the single most important characteristic of ALL popular music.

2. Riff Examples Almost all rock, pop, R&B, Hip-Hop, etc. is based on riffs.

3. Example of Call and Response between lead singer and chorus (background singers) “Unchain My Heart” by Ray Charles

4. Example of Call and Response between 2 instruments Listen to the harmonica and the guitar.

5. Example of melisma (using multiple notes to sing 1syllable) Mariah is a vocalist who constantly uses melisma: “…salvation ba-a-a-a-ack when there is lo-ha-ha-ha-ove …faith in all you do-oo-oo-oo-oo just call my na-a-a-ame” etc.

see if you can count how many words she adds melisma to

6. Example of Verse/Chorus form “This Love” by Maroon 5 VERSE 1: I was so high I did not recognize The fire burning in her eyes The chaos that controlled my mind Whispered goodbye and she got on a plane Never to return again But always in my heart CHORUS: (the part of the song that gets repeated a lot and sticks in your head, also called “the hook” because it hooks you in) This love has taken it’s toll on me She said goodbye too many times before And her heart is breaking in front of me I have no choice cause I won’t say goodbye anymore VERSE 2: (same music as Verse 1 but different words) I tried my best to feed her appetite Keep her coming every night So hard to keep her satisfied Kept playing love like it was just a game Pretending to feel the same Then turn around and leave again CHORUS: (same music, same words as previous Chorus This love has taken it’s toll on me She said goodbye too many times before

And her heart is breaking in front of me I have no choice cause I won’t say goodbye anymore

7. Example of AABA form “Walking on the Moon” by The Police A SECTION (basic melody and harmony of the song) Giant steps are what you take Walking on the moon (this is the hook, it gets repeated over and over but there is no Chorus section) I hope my legs don't break Walking on the moon We could walk for ever Walking on the moon We could live together Walking on, walking on the moon A SECTION (same music, different words) Walking back from your house Walking on the moon Walking back from your house Walking on the moon Feet they hardly touch the ground Walking on the moon My feet don't hardly make no sound Walking on, walking on the moon B SECTION (different music, different words) Some may say I'm wishing my days away, no way And if it's the price I pay, some say Tomorrow's another day, you'll stay I may as well play A SECTION (same music, different words) Giant steps are what you take Walking on the moon I hope my legs don't break Walking on the moon We could walk for ever Walking on the moon We could be together Walking on, walking on the moon

8. “Maybelline” by Chuck Berry IMPORTANT! Another way you can tell if a song is a 12-bar blues is by the 3-line (AAB) lyrical form, meaning a line is repeated twice and then the 3rd line is repeated. A "Maybelline, why can't you be true" A "Maybelline, why can't you be true" (the line is repeated) B "You done started back doin' the things that you used to do" (the 3rd line is different) The majority of 12-bar blues follow this lyrical form. Note: Only the chorus in this song is a 12-bar blues.

9. Maybelline” (live version)

10. “Song for Odudua” excerpt

11. “Old Joe Clark” excerpt

12. “Woodman. Spare That Tree”

13. “Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair” AABA form

14. “De Boatman’s Dance” excerpt This is a Verse/Chorus form but it starts with the Chorus

15. “Camptown Ladies” This is Al Jolsen with minstrel singers (white performers in “blackface”)

16. “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” This was published in 1908 (over 100 years ago!) We still sing it at ballgames everywhere at the 7th inning stretch.

17. “Yankee Doodle Boy”

18. “Stars and Stripes Forever” If you ever attend a parade, 4th of July celebration, graduation etc. then you have heard this song. Written in 1897 it is still going strong.