Rock 'n' Roll

Rock 'n' Roll

1. Technology and production

   • One overhead mic to record drums.
   • Instrument capture is often compromised by poor frequency reproduction.
   • Live recordings direct to tape led to mixing on the fly.
   • Loud guitars/drums = louder recording levels which led to altered sounds via tape saturation and driving pre-amps hard.
   • Vocals were often overdubbed to make them clearer.
   • Some early 3 track recorders were used.
   • Music was released on vinyl which had a wider frequency production and dynamic range than prior 78rpm records.
   • Slap back delay was developed for vocals and guitar,
   • Use of echo chambers and overdriven valve amplifiers creating distortion was vital for later rock sounds.

2. Origins

   • Southern states of America
   • 1950s

3. Instrumentation

   • Typically small ensembles
   • Mostly male vocals
   • Harmonica
   • Backing vocals - simple, often in unison
   • Double bass/electric bass
   • Electric guitar - rhythm and lead
   • Saxophone
   • Piano
   • Drums
   • Other brass

4. Performance and arrangement

   • 140bpm or faster.
   • Energetic vocals
   • Slightly swung quavers = a shuffle beat
   • Walking bass line often doubled by electric guitar.
   • Guitar solos
   • Piano often mimics guitar via comping and left hand playing the bass line.
   • Often based around the 12 bar blues.
   • Strong backbeat on 2 and 4.
   • Uses major keys but blues scales for lead parts.
   • Stops where instruments play on just beat 1 and allow other instruments/vocals to take over.
   • Call and response between the vocals and guitar or other instrument.

5. Artists

   • Elvis Presley
   • Chuck Berry
   • Cliff Richard
   • Little Richard
   • Bill Haley and his Comets