Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that
originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and the early
1950s, from African American music style such as gospel, blues, jazz,… and
along with country music.
Rock and roll arrived at the time of a considerable
technological change; the development of electric guitar, amplifier and
microphone.
One of the first rock song was “Rocket 88”. It was
recorded by Jackie Breston’s in 1951, and was one of the first songs to use a
distorted guitar; it happened by accident. The guitar amp was damaged on the
way to the studio, and when it was plugged made a sound that nobody had ever
heard before.
Instruments: Electric and acoustic guitar, bass
guitar, keyboard, voice and drums.
Characteristics:
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Dirty-Intonation; add emotion and
personality to voice and instruments.
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A huge cultural impact: lyrics talk
about a wide range of themes such as: love, rebellion against social concerns,
freedom,…
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Simple chord and rhythm progressions.
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Vocal and guitar improvisations.
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Use of multiple analogic and digital
effects: distortion, reverb, chorus, delay,…
BANDS AND ROCK MUSICIANS
1950s: Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley’s, Little Richard,…
1960s: Eric Clapton, Rolling Stones, Jimmy Hendrix,
Boston, Jethro Tull, Deep Purple,…
1970s: Alice Cooper, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Pink
Floyd, Aerosmith, ACDC,…
1980s: Queen, Guns and Roses, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe,…
1990-2000: Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Rage Against the
Machine,…
