Quiz
Punk Music Characteristics: Instruments, Chords and Tempo
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Questions in this quiz (5)
1Punk:
Instrumental:
Bass
Electric Guitars (1-2) - aggressive/[blank_start]distorted[blank_end] tone (overdrive)
[blank_start]Acoustic[blank_end] Drum Kit
Angry Delivery of [blank_start]Vocals[blank_end]
[blank_start]Backing[blank_end] Vocals usually shouting
Musical/Performance Characteristics:
Use of [blank_start]power[blank_end] chords (omit the 3rd) (neither major nor minor mostly)
Simple [blank_start]chord[blank_end] progressions (3-4 chords)
Non complex [blank_start]melodies[blank_end]
quaver [blank_start]strumming[blank_end] patterns played with [blank_start]downstrokes[blank_end] - locks with hi hat/ride rhythm, [blank_start]kick[blank_end] beats 1+3 and [blank_start]snare[blank_end] on 2+4
[blank_start]Crash[blank_end] accents chord changes
I/IV/V chord pattern, syncopated changes
Solo usually consists of a [blank_start]sustained[blank_end] note - if any
Key change - simple ([blank_start]tone[blank_end]) - used by Ramones
[blank_start]4/4[blank_end] time signature
Bass follows [blank_start]root[blank_end] notes mostly - plucked
Angry/Rebellious/[blank_start]Political[blank_end] Themes
[blank_start]Simple[blank_end] structure - songs usually short
[blank_start]Fast[blank_end] tempos ([blank_start]160[blank_end]/170 BPM)
[blank_start]Palm[blank_end] muting
Vocals shouted - like speaking - charismatic - screamed in places
[blank_start]Short[blank_end] songs (opposite of Prog)
Associated Culture:
Rebellion against [blank_start]political[blank_end] government based decision - demotivated youth
Violent/Anarchy - hating authority - police/capitalism/government - key theme in punk songs - unemployment and [blank_start]economy[blank_end] issues - bleak future prospects for working class
Began in the [blank_start]70s[blank_end] (mid) [blank_start]74[blank_end]-77 is peak time of punk
Originated in [blank_start]London[blank_end] UK, New York USA too
[blank_start]Disco[blank_end] and [blank_start]Prog Rock[blank_end] - punk reacted against these genres - felt it didn’t represent them or speak to them
Outrageous characters ie [blank_start]Jonny Rotten[blank_end]
Mohawks and studded jackets, docs, coloured hair, leather, tarten, chains, safety pins, ripped jeans, messy hair, sewn patches - wanted to stand out, didn’t feel fit in
Piercings
[blank_start]Pogo[blank_end] dance, Early moshing
[blank_start]Malcolm Mclaren[blank_end] - Manager of New York Dolls and Sex Pistols - part of image and them becoming a well rehearsed band
Didn’t need talent - just heart
[blank_start]Nihilism[blank_end] - stop caring about self (death, alcohol, substance abuse)
[blank_start]Vivienne Westwood[blank_end] - influential in punk fashion
[blank_start]CBGB[blank_end] - Famous venue which [blank_start]Ramones[blank_end] and Blondie played at
Production:
Loud - turn up [blank_start]guitars[blank_end] when recording
Compression - make [blank_start]louder[blank_end]
Use of EQ
Use of [blank_start]effects[blank_end] is scarce
Very raw sound - [blank_start]live[blank_end] sound (want to sound like a gig)
Have a [blank_start]guitar[blank_end] in each ear (double track) or shouting in each ear - [blank_start]panning[blank_end]
Against Disco - disco had complicated [blank_start]production[blank_end] as did prog rock
[blank_start]Overdubbing[blank_end] typically used (rhythm guitars and vocals)
Some delay/some reverb (rare)
Key Artists:
The [blank_start]Damned[blank_end]
The Stooges
New [blank_start]York Dolls[blank_end]
Velvet [blank_start]Underground[blank_end]- Adistorted
- BAcoustic
- CVocals
- DBacking
- Epower
- Fchord
- Gmelodies
- Hstrumming
- Idownstrokes
- Jkick
- Ksnare
- LCrash
- Msustained
- Ntone
- O4/4
- Proot
- QPolitical
- RSimple
- S160
- TFast
- UPalm
- VShort
- Wpolitical
- Xeconomy
- Y74
- Z70s
- AALondon
- ABDisco
- ACProg Rock
- ADJonny Rotten
- AEPogo
- AFMalcolm Mclaren
- AGNihilism
- AHVivienne Westwood
- AICBGB
- AJRamones
- AKguitars
- ALlouder
- AMeffects
- ANlive
- AOpanning
- APguitar
- AQproduction
- AROverdubbing
- ASDamned
- ATYork Dolls
- AUUnderground
2The Clash
Key albums:
The Clash
Release date: 8 [blank_start]April[blank_end] 19[blank_start]77[blank_end], 26 July 1977 (US)
Label: [blank_start]Sony[blank_end] Music/[blank_start]Columbia[blank_end]; Epic
Give Em Enough Rope
Release date: 10 November 19[blank_start]78[blank_end]
Label: Sony Music/Columbia; Epic
London Calling
Release date: [blank_start]14 December 1979[blank_end]
Label: Sony Music/Columbia; Epic
[blank_start]Sandinista![blank_end]
Release date: 12 December 19[blank_start]80[blank_end]
Label: Sony Music/Columbia; Epic
Combat Rock
Release date: 14 May 1982
Label: Sony Music (SME)/Columbia; Epic
- Key songs including dates
London Calling - [blank_start]December 14th 1979[blank_end]
Career Opportunities 1977
Should I stay or Should I Go? - [blank_start]1982[blank_end]
Lost in the Supermarket - 1979
White Riot - 1977
Clamp Down - 1979
The Guns of Brixton - [blank_start]1979[blank_end]
Train in Vain - [blank_start]1979[blank_end]
I fought the Law - [blank_start]1977[blank_end]
Key Instrumental features of that band/artist
Use of [blank_start]handclaps[blank_end] for percussion
[blank_start]Distorted[blank_end] guitar
Bass with more complex than usual lines - fat sounding
[blank_start]Acoustic[blank_end] Drum Kit
Synth in later years ([blank_start]Cut the Crap[blank_end] Album)
[blank_start]Harmonica[blank_end] at times (experimented with non punk instruments)
Key Musical features heard in the band/artist's’ work
More advanced [blank_start]chords[blank_end] used - eg Major and Minor in Should I Stay or Should I go and London Calling
Bassline is central to some songs - doesn’t just follow the [blank_start]root[blank_end]
Use of [blank_start]backing vocals[blank_end] to emphasise lyrics
Lead singer growls and speaks in his delivery - howl/scream in [blank_start]London Calling[blank_end]
[blank_start]Hammer on[blank_end] the 5th in power chords
Use of [blank_start]varied tempos[blank_end] - not just fast ie London Calling
More mellow sound - Lost in the Supermarket
Use of [blank_start]syncopation[blank_end] in chord changes or with power chords
Mostly 4/4 rhythms
Full chord (minor in LC) on [blank_start]off beats[blank_end] (crotchet rhythm) - syncopation
Key Studio Production features heard in the artists’/bands’ work
[blank_start]Reverb[blank_end] in places - Lost in the Supermarket/[blank_start]Train in Vain[blank_end] Guitar
Overall loud - through [blank_start]compression[blank_end] and EQ
Overdubbing [blank_start]backing vocals[blank_end] (London Calling) and rhythm guitar (Brand new Cadillac)
Drums and Guitar high in the mix
Bass high in the mix of [blank_start]London Calling[blank_end]
Clean guitar with reverb in [blank_start]Train in Vain[blank_end]
Career development
The Clash was formed in [blank_start]1976[blank_end] (at the time with drummer Terry Chimes) and released their self-titled debut album in [blank_start]1977[blank_end]. Songs such as "White Riot" combined the energy of hard rock with angry social consciousness, and the album became a favorite of the critics. With a sturdy following in the U.K., The Clash toured the United States in the late '70s and released their 2-LP setLondon Calling ([blank_start]1979[blank_end]), now considered by many to be their best (it included "Train in Vain (Stand by Me)," a hidden track that reached the top of the U.S. charts). The triple-album Sandinista (1980) proved The Clash still had a bone to pick with corruption and injustice, and revealed a variety of musical influences that included ska, dub and reggae.
Influence on the genre
Used non punk instruments such as harmonica and synth later on, brass in [blank_start]1979 Jimmy Jazz[blank_end]
More complex than other punk bands - use of major minor chords, more melodic ie [blank_start]Lost in the Supermarket[blank_end]
Vocal performance - shouting and speaking
Lyrical content was [blank_start]political[blank_end] (London Calling) which influenced fans
Some songs more mellow - showed that punk didn't have to be harsh all the time - ie used clean guitars and reverb on Train in Vain
More melodic - riffs consisting of single notes ie [blank_start]Brand New Cadillac[blank_end] not just power chords unlike other bands
Bluesy influence - [blank_start]walking[blank_end] bassline with blues notes (Jimmy Jazz) or use of 1[blank_start]2 bar blues[blank_end] and blues based riff with slower tempo (Brand New Cadillac)
General:
Original Line Up:
[blank_start]Joe Strummer[blank_end] – lead vocals, guitar
Paul Simonon – bass guitar, backing vocals
[blank_start]Mick Jones[blank_end] – lead guitar, vocals
Topper Headon – drums, percussion
Manager: Bernerd Rhodes
Record Label: Sony (Epic)- A77
- BApril
- CSony
- DColumbia
- E78
- F14 December 1979
- GSandinista!
- H80
- IDecember 14th 1979
- J1982
- K1979
- L1977
- M1979
- Nhandclaps
- ODistorted
- PAcoustic
- QCut the Crap
- RHarmonica
- Schords
- Troot
- Ubacking vocals
- VLondon Calling
- WHammer on
- Xvaried tempos
- Ysyncopation
- Zoff beats
- AAReverb
- ABTrain in Vain
- ACcompression
- ADbacking vocals
- AETrain in Vain
- AFLondon Calling
- AG1976
- AH1977
- AI1979
- AJ1979 Jimmy Jazz
- AKLost in the Supermarket
- ALpolitical
- AMBrand New Cadillac
- ANwalking
- AO2 bar blues
- APJoe Strummer
- AQMick Jones
3The Sex Pistols
Key Albums:
Never Mind the Bollocks Here’s the Sex Pistols
[blank_start]28th October 1977[blank_end]
Released by: [blank_start]Virgin[blank_end] Records
Recorded at [blank_start]Wessex Sound Studios[blank_end]
Producer: [blank_start]Chris Thomas[blank_end]
Key Songs:
Pretty Vacant
God Save the Queen [blank_start]27th May 1977[blank_end]
Anarchy in the UK
Problems
Bodies
Liar
Key Instrumental Features:
Electric Guitar - extremely loud and [blank_start]distorted[blank_end]
Electric Bass - [blank_start]loud[blank_end] in the mix, usually follows [blank_start]root[blank_end] notes, some passing notes
Acoustic Drum Kit - [blank_start]straight[blank_end] rhythms, 4/4 time signature, [blank_start]crash[blank_end] emphasises chord change
Vocals - shouted/screamed delivery with little annunciation, lyrics like alternative poetry about being working class/young and oppressed/everyday issues/politics
Key Musical Features:
Almost exclusively [blank_start]power chord[blank_end] use
Guitar techniques - unison bends, slides, hammer ons and pull offs
[blank_start]Straight[blank_end] rhythms, [blank_start]crash[blank_end] on chord changes for emphasis, use of [blank_start]quaver[blank_end] rhythms extensive - simple rhythmic features to defy prog rock
4/4 time signatures to defy [blank_start]prog rock[blank_end]
Lyrics are based on anarchy, government, everyday issues of the youth and the working class ie abortion and the monarchy
Sometimes uses [blank_start]octaves[blank_end]
Bass follows [blank_start]root[blank_end] notes
Shouted/Screamed delivery with vocables which were more like noise than words - extremely [blank_start]slurred[blank_end] to sound aggressive
Studio Production Features:
[blank_start]Raw[blank_end] sound, supposed to sound like a live gig
Not very polished - [blank_start]levels[blank_end] are strange and mix isn’t polished
Discrepancies such as [blank_start]wrong[blank_end] notes when transitioning chords left in for raw feel
Guitars very [blank_start]high[blank_end] in the mix
Little use of effects - anti [blank_start]disco[blank_end]
Career Development:
The Sex Pistols formed in London, England in [blank_start]1975[blank_end]. The Band originally consisted of Johnny Rotten (vocals), Steve Jones (Guitar), Glen Matlock (bass) and [blank_start]Paul Cook[blank_end] (drums). However Glen Matlock was replaced with Sid Vicious.
On 10 March 1977, at a press ceremony held outside Buckingham Palace, the Sex Pistols publicly signed to [blank_start]A&M[blank_end] Records. Were fired from 2 record labels and swore on live [blank_start]television[blank_end] - controversial and anti capitalism.
Band broke up due to [blank_start]heroin[blank_end] addictions (which killed bassist Sid Vicious) and had a final american tour before finishing.
Influence on Genre:
Controversy as an aid - album with a title with the word ‘bollocks’ in it was controversial so much so that record stores refused to carry the album and record charts used a blank space - this appealed to youths as it fought the system and was individual and fighting against capitalism and authority which were the main ethos of punk.
Introduced [blank_start]anarchy[blank_end] - the Pistols were one of the first punk bands to really speak the truth regarding the government and politics which appealed to [blank_start]young[blank_end] people, branding themselves anti authority and establishment with songs like Anarchy in the UK and God save the queen
Image - with the help of [blank_start]Malcom Mclaren[blank_end] the Sex Pistols introduced safety pins, wacky hair and other fashion statements associated with punk. Johnny Rotten wore knitted sweaters one day and leather the next, dyed his hair to upset the label and generally dressed to shock and offend - this inspired fans to do the same and rebel through clothing
Character - Johnny Rotten himself was known for swearing on television, insulting interviewers and generally being a bit mad. He was extremely opinionated and rude (spitting and snotting) but kids latched onto this as it defied authority. His words were harsh but there were some truths being said (such as Lydon revealing Jimmy Saville’s crimes in an unbroadcasted interview) which appealed to teenagers. His crazy eyes and broad personality were essential to him being one of the most intriguing front men of all time.
Raw - Their sound was raw, unpolished and like that of a live show. They spent little on [blank_start]production[blank_end] and had loud and distorted guitars. The music was shocking much like the fashion and it’s simplicity made it [blank_start]catchy[blank_end] and memorable - a common feature that would resound in punk for years to come- A27th May 1977
- B28th October 1977
- CVirgin
- DWessex Sound Studios
- EChris Thomas
- Fdistorted
- Gloud
- Hroot
- Istraight
- Jcrash
- Kpower chord
- LStraight
- Mcrash
- Nquaver
- Oprog rock
- Poctaves
- Qroot
- Rslurred
- SRaw
- Tlevels
- Uwrong
- Vhigh
- Wdisco
- X1975
- YPaul Cook
- ZA&M
- AAtelevision
- ABheroin
- ACanarchy
- ADyoung
- AEMalcom Mclaren
- AFcatchy
- AGproduction
4The Ramones
Key Albums:
The Ramones
Label: [blank_start]Sire[blank_end]
Date: [blank_start]April 23rd 1976[blank_end]
[blank_start]Leave Home[blank_end]
Label: Sire
Date: January 10th [blank_start]1977[blank_end]
[blank_start]Rocket to Russia[blank_end]
Label: Sire
November 4th [blank_start]1977[blank_end]
Road to Ruin
Labels: Sire
September 22nd 1978
Key Songs:
The KKK Took my Baby Away
Judy was a Punk
Blitzkrieg Bop
I wanna Be Sedated
My Brain is Hanging Upside Down
Sheena is a Punk Rocker
Key Instrumental Features:
Electric Lead Guitar
Electric Rhythm Guitar - distorted
Acoustic Drum Kit - played loudly
Singer - emphasis on accent, nasal sound, aggressive shouts (mostly in chorus)
Key Musical Features:
Use of power chords
Palm [blank_start]muting[blank_end]
Simplistic melodies
Solos consisting of [blank_start]one[blank_end] note - against disco and [blank_start]prog rock[blank_end]
[blank_start]Key[blank_end] change for added interest but not complicated
Use of [blank_start]backing vocals[blank_end] to emphasise important phrases
[blank_start]Quaver[blank_end] rhythms
Bass line plays the [blank_start]tonic[blank_end] of the chords of the guitars - omit the 3rd also
Drums played aggressively - [blank_start]crash[blank_end] cymbals played on chord changes to accent
Key Production Features:
Basic mix with [blank_start]guitars[blank_end] louder than drums - sound [blank_start]double tracked[blank_end] on many songs for emphasis on guitar
[blank_start]Overdrive[blank_end] created by turning amp up very loud
Raw sound - like a [blank_start]live[blank_end] sound, not overly polished like disco
[blank_start]Produced[blank_end] cheaply - Ramones cost [blank_start]$6,400[blank_end] to make, instruments took 3 days and vocal parts took 4 - very rushed and quick
Use of [blank_start]overdubbing[blank_end], vocal line doubled, use of percussion effects, microphone placement similar to that of an [blank_start]orchestra[blank_end] on The Ramones
Career Development:
[blank_start]New York[blank_end] based, one of the first punk bands to emerge. Didn’t have incredible album sales at the time but were well received in New York by punks and toured practically non stop for [blank_start]22[blank_end] years. Had a large influence on the live aspect of punk.
Influence on Genre:
[blank_start]Cheap[blank_end] production and raw recording showed young people that you didn’t need a lot of money to become a professional musician
[blank_start]Simple[blank_end] style and mockery of complexity showed people that music didn’t have to be extensive and complicated to be well received and enjoyed
Influenced whole punk genre (especially in USA) with [blank_start]leather[blank_end] jackets, jeans and attitudes - before the [blank_start]sex pistols.[blank_end]
Lyrically based on Punk lifestyle, [blank_start]drugs[blank_end] and going against the norm - not as political as sex pistols but equally tailored to [blank_start]youth[blank_end]s of America
Members:
[blank_start]Johnny[blank_end] Ramone
Joey Ramone
[blank_start]Dee Dee[blank_end] Ramone
[blank_start]Tommy[blank_end] Ramone- ASire
- BApril 23rd 1976
- CRocket to Russia
- DLeave Home
- E1977
- F1977
- Gmuting
- Hone
- Iprog rock
- JKey
- Kbacking vocals
- LQuaver
- Mtonic
- Ncrash
- Oguitars
- Pdouble tracked
- QOverdrive
- Rlive
- S$6,400
- TProduced
- Uoverdubbing
- Vorchestra
- WNew York
- X22
- YCheap
- ZSimple
- AAleather
- ABsex pistols.
- ACyouth
- ADdrugs
- AEDee Dee
- AFTommy
- AGJohnny
5NEW WAVE
Associated Culture:
[blank_start]Image[blank_end] became more important for music
[blank_start]French[blank_end] Cinema - influenced art forms/ New Wave
Was a combination of [blank_start]pop[blank_end] and punk (takes influences from [blank_start]synth[blank_end] pop)
Some bands born of a mod (60s) band revival ie the [blank_start]Jam[blank_end]
Term new wave used to replace punk so bands could sell records in the [blank_start]UK[blank_end] - distance self from punk - more [blank_start]commercial[blank_end] and accessible - less [blank_start]political[blank_end] association
Like the filmmakers of the French new wave movement (after whom the genre was named), its new artists were anti-corporate and [blank_start]experimental[blank_end]
Videos and lyrics somewhat artistic and experimental with image - heavy make up, ambiguous videos and strange lyrics ie [blank_start]Siouxsie and the Banshees[blank_end]
Instrumental Characteristics
Electric Guitars (with distortion/overdrive)
Acoustic drum kit
Electric Bass guitar
[blank_start]Synthesisers[blank_end] - swells and melodies
Musical Characteristics:
[blank_start]Verse[blank_end] Chorus form mostly
Minor tonic chord/triad played on off beats -Call Me
[blank_start]Power[blank_end] chords used
Use of catchy melodies and recurring riffs and motifs ie Hong Kong Garden intro
Use of full [blank_start]major[blank_end] and minor chords
[blank_start]Arpeggios[blank_end] usually make up melody - plucking chord and letting individual notes ring out whilst others played
Performance Characteristics:
Vocals soft in delivery at times - [blank_start]The Jam[blank_end]
Emphasis on [blank_start]British[blank_end] accent - singing is like speaking
Lyrical content diverse - usually negative or speaking of love - in cases speaking of politics (the Jam, perhaps why their US success was limited)
Powerful driving guitars
Songwriting became more popular not just lyrics - clever pop songs but no where near prog rock
Use of Solos in places - solos consisting of more than a sustained note
Delivery depended on style - range of approaches and ranged amount of influences - some edgy power punk and others reggae some disco influences
Key Artists/Songs:
The [blank_start]Buzzcocks[blank_end] - What do I get?
Elvis Costello - New Lace Sleeves
[blank_start]The Jam[blank_end] - Eton Rifles, Going Underground
[blank_start]Adam and the Ants[blank_end] - Antmusic, KIngs of the Wild Frontier
The B-52s - [blank_start]Love Shack[blank_end]
[blank_start]Siouxsie and the Banshees[blank_end] - Spellbound, Hong Kong Garden, Happy House
[blank_start]Ultravox[blank_end] - Dancing With Tears in my Eyes, Hymn, Sleepwalk
[blank_start]Toyah[blank_end] - It’s a mystery, Thunder in the mountains
[blank_start]Blondie[blank_end] - Call me, Hanging on the Telephone, One Way or Another
Production:
[blank_start]Overdrive[blank_end] effect captured on guitars more subtle - less distorted
Use of [blank_start]flanger[blank_end] ie Dear Prudence
[blank_start]Reverb[blank_end] on vocals - spacey feel
Use of [blank_start]tremolo[blank_end] and modulation
[blank_start]Phaser[blank_end] on synths at times for swelling drone
Energetic and unprocessed sound of real musicians
More polished than [blank_start]punk[blank_end]- AImage
- BFrench
- Cpop
- Dsynth
- EJam
- FUK
- Gcommercial
- Hpolitical
- Iexperimental
- JSiouxsie and the Banshees
- KSynthesisers
- LVerse
- MPower
- Nmajor
- OArpeggios
- PThe Jam
- QBritish
- RBuzzcocks
- SLove Shack
- TSiouxsie and the Banshees
- UUltravox
- VThe Jam
- WAdam and the Ants
- XToyah
- YBlondie
- ZOverdrive
- AAflanger
- ABReverb
- ACtremolo
- ADPhaser
- AEpunk
Information
- Description
- A level Music Technology Quiz on Untitled, created by Katie King on 07/05/2016.
- Author
- Katie King
- Language
- English
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