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Soul Musical Features
Soul Musical Features
1960's ...
Originated in the African American communities in the US
Combines African-American Gospel, Rhythm and Blues and Jazz
Became popular for dancing and listening in the US during the civil rights movement
Record lables such as Motown, Atlantic and Stax
Further influenced rock music
Soul topped the US R&B charts in the 1960s and some songs crossed over into the US, British pop charts
By the 1970's Soul had been influenced by Psychedlic Rock music which lead to Psychedlic Soul
Some Soul artists also developed into Funk and Disco.
Neo Soul developed in 1994
In the 1980's Disco and Funk became less popular and Soul was influenced by Electro. Soul then turned in contemporary R&B
Etta James
Ray Charles
James Brown
Aretha Franklin
Otis Redding
Ben E King
Diana Ross
Jackson 5
Stevie Wonder
D
D
Distribution & Sharing
Distribution & Sharing
Recorded using multi track
Distributed on vinyl
R
R
Rhythmic Techniques
Rhythmic Techniques
Catchy rhythms
Use of handclaps and improvised body movements
Driving rhythms on drums and percussion on beats 2&4
Rhythmic chordal parts on Guitar and Piano
Fast tempo 120bpm - used for dancing
Some slower tempo ballads
Syncopation
Fast muted rhythmic strums
Recording Techniques & Developments
Recording Techniques & Developments
Early use of multi track recordings (4 track, then 8 track)
Live recording of the complete band with acoustic screens to provide seperation
Use of DI Guitar and Bass
Close mic recording of drums
Vocal overdubbing
Use of echo chambers
High quality recordings with clear vocals
Stereo mixing with extreme panning - all bass and drums on the left whilst all vocals and other instruments on the right
S
S
Scales & Mode
Scales & Mode
Melodies use the pentatonic scale with added Blues notes
Structure
Structure
Short songs with verse and chorus. Sometimes include a bridge and instrumental sections
M
M
Melodic Techniques
Melodic Techniques
Call and response between the lead vocalist and the chorus
Improvised additions in the vocals - melismas
Lyrics were about African American life and culture
Powerful bassline - rhythmic and melodic riffs = groove
Walking bass ines - busiest instruments in Soul
Emotional vocal delivery - high energy & passionate
Countermelodies on vocals and instruments
3 line vocal structure used - similar to Blues
Repetition
I
I
Instrumentation
Instrumentation
Vocals
Backing vocals
Electric Guitar - (lively soul - jangly, trebly, high pitched guitar voicings)
Piano/Electric Piano
Electric Organ/ Keyboards
Percussion
Drum Kit
Bass
Horn Section (Trumpets, Saxophones and Trombones)
Strings
Vibraphone
Large ensembles with a lot of instruments doubling up
H
H
Harmony
Harmony
12 bar blues sometimes used
Major 7ths used - particularly on chord 4
Suspensions used on chord 5
Simple chord sequences using 1, 4, 5, and 6
Two chord sequences that are repeated
Major pentatonic used for basslines
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