Music: Popular Music - From 1950's to Today

'Take it to the bridge', they sang, but what is the bridge? If you want to go on tour some day, you're going to need to know the difference between Cadence and Modulation. Learn the language of music with these key terms .

Broadway musicals have been incredibly influential in the musical sphere. From the classic formulas of Rodgers & Hammerstein, through blockbusters like Grease, The Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King, Broadway remains a popular cultural cornerstone.

Rock music was the soundtrack to the social revolutions of the 1960s and 70s. The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin...et al, inspired a global generation of youth to rail against conservatism and repression. New forms of expression were born.

As entertainment technology developed in the last few decades, music became pivotal in the launch of any major production. From John William's film scores to the soundtracks of popular games such as Metal Gear Solid, music projects the required persona.

Popular music is sometimes seen as the manufactured realm of boy/girl bands. But as other movements became mainstream, the rock of The White Stripes and the R&B of Alicia Keys sits along the more traditonal pop of Adele and Taylor Swift in the pop canon.

Refresh your knowledge of what we have covered so far in this history of popular music. From musicals to movies and from stage to screen, there are a number of techniques and styles popular musicians use today.

The Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Album is considered a seismic development in music history. The creation of alter-egos allowed The Beatles to experiment in ways no-one had heard before. Sgt Pepper's changed the course of pop music.

With a Little Help From my Friends if the 2nd song on Sgt Peppers. The tempo is moderate and the style has a swing feel. This module focuses on all the elements that made this song a classic still loved today.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds is not just a great song, but was also a powerful cultural anthem that helped to normalise drug use in the 1960s. The psychadelic sound is an auditory accompaniment to the other trip it proposes.

Within You, Without You is a sonic representation of the spiritual journey that influenced The Beatles during this period. The song has rich Eastern influences following the band's time in India. This is merged with a modern Western sound.

Take this quiz to see what you have learned about The Beatles' great album, Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. These questions cover the construction of the tracks including the chords, keys and techniques used by the band.