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This article, it will include the historical development of music; explaining how one style or genre led to another. As well as the harmonic and lyric analysis; looking at what chord progressions were about and how they were developed. Lyrical analysis what are they about, how do they relate to the historical, social, and political context of the time? and how have lyrics changed? How different instruments have changed or stayed the same in different decades.
Introduction
Introduction
The development of modern music has been adapted throughout history, with techniques and chord progressions; influencing and inspiring upcoming and coming musicians. Many artists in contemporary society have been inspired by artists of the past, whether its their genre or how they engage their audience.
Many modern musicians have created their own music through the experimentation of technology, as its now much easier Advancements in digital recording technology have democratized music production, allowing artists to create high-quality recordings from home. Online platforms and streaming services have provided artists with global reach and transformed the way music is distributed and consumed. For example, Soundcloud is a major platform.
Historical Development of Music
Historical Development of Music
A new generation of Rock n Roll
Within the 70s and 80s, more diverse genres were being created, and different forms of rock and roll were starting.
Different names such as glam, progressive, alternative, punk, hard rock, etc were all becoming popular according to the listeners and who they were attracting. The influences of the new styles came from the development of technology, such as the new romantic era was heavily influenced by glam rock musicians such as Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, Adam and The Ants, etc. Soft rock, glam metal, thrash metal, and shred guitar characterized by heavy distortion, pinch harmonics, and whammy bar abuse became very popular.
A helpful article helped to define the origins of glam rock that may not have been known "The flamboyance of acts such as Chuck Berry and Little Richard were, perhaps, the genesis of the glam movement, but while The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger appropriated much of those 50s icons’ style, it was Marc Bolan who was the real deal and glam rock’s first true star in the 70s".
https://www.udiscovermusic.com/in-depth-features/how-glam-rock-changed-world/
Rock n Roll
Rock n Roll
Within the 1950s, rock n roll was developed and created. The genre sparked rebellion and went against classical music and traditional needs. Musicians such as Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Little Richard, etc all were a part of the rock n roll movement and influenced future generations. Elvis Presley's performance on stage led him to shake his gyrating pelvis, which older generations distasted him for his outbursts. Before the 1950s, rock n roll was largely inspired by blues musicians and black artists who were originally slaves, they talked about peace and freedom to escape the plantations, and the topic of freedom and peace led into the new decade of the 1960s.
The 1960s was the decade of peace and expression. Protesting and war music had emerged from the 1950s, rebelling against the older generation and celebrating youth and intoxication of drugs and alcohol. The flower power generation. Rock n Roll was made psychedelic with distortion and fuzz pedals, reflecting the effects drugs had on musicians, Hippies smoked marijuana, kids in ghettos pushed heroin, and Timothy Leary, a Harvard professor, urged the world to try LSD. Psychedelic rock became a new style of music and a new set of listeners, it was performed by Jimi Hendrix, Fifth Floor Elevators, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, etc. But another genre that was popular in the '60s, that was emerging from jazz in the 1950s, was 1960s soul music.
Harmonic Analysis
Harmonic Analysis
How did music change with the invention of technology?
Technology such as synths and drum machines were being used widely in the 1980s, with the introduction to electronic and pop music. Musicians such as New Order, Pet Shop Boys, and Depeche Mode; were all famous for their electronic sounds. The New Romantic movement was the name given to this style of new music. New chord progressions were being made for these new instruments.
New Progressions
Commonly for pop music, the most popular progression would be vi−IV–I–V which was featured in the chorus of Toto's Africa.
Into the 90s, the genres hip-hop and grunge emerged and grunge music followed on from punk. The chord progressions from the genre grunge were simplistic.
A lot of Punk Rock doesn't have very complex rhythms and rarely goes beyond the basics but this is by no means a rule and there have been many bands that have songs with more intricate rhythms. The following is an example guitar riff that uses the I – V – VI – IV chord progression with a simple rhythm applied to it. Cobain noted how he "has no concept of musical theory or how to play" relying on what sounds right for him.
The genre of pop was highly popular in the 2000s with artists such as Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Pink Eminem etc. Progressions were simplistic and the same progression used in the 1980s introduction to pop. The progressions are used but in different rhythms and beats depending on the artist's style.
The Development of Chord Progressions
Within the 1950s, it was common to use the twelve-bar blues structure, adapted and evolved by W.C. Handy who claimed to have noticed a repetitive chord sequence in the plantation song that inspired him. The chord pattern that Handy noted down is a succession of primary chords in a specific order. It is now known as 12-bar blues and it is a structure understood by all jazz and popular musicians.
Later on, the structure came to be used within rock n roll music such as Elvis Presley's infamous 'Jailhouse Rock' and Bil Haley's 'Rock Around the Clock'. The structure of the 12-bar blues was simplistic, effective, and catchy, ultimately affecting people to get up and dance, rather than to sit down and listen.
Additionally, within the 1960s, chord progressions became more complex; as it reflected the psychedelic and chaotic era. Jimi Hendrix was a profound guitarist, who experimented and played the guitar like nobody else. "The Hendrix chord is usually a 7#9 chord, and more specifically, an E7#9. The chord shape is colloquially called the Hendrix chord because guitarist Jimi Hendrix frequently used it in a number of his songs like “Purple Haze.”
But other elements were progressions traced back to the blues patterns such as C - F - G (I - IV - V), which was extremely common in the 60s and 70s, in Bob Marley's Stir Up' in 1973 adding a reggae tone to the song which was growing in popularity in the 1970s. New genres adapted in the 70s, with glam rock, Punk rock, electronic music, and disco; new progressions were invented based on the genre.
The characteristics of Disco
This masterclass article helped me to understand the breakdown of key characteristics of disco in the 1970s and why people enjoyed it. Progressions were more complex with funky basslines from Taste of Honey and more, and Nile Rodger's Chic guitar riffs
Syncopation. Syncopated rhythms refer to the accentuation of the beat-in between beats or the emphasis of “off-beats.” Guitar basslines and drum hi-hat sounds are often syncopated with the rest of the beat or melody. Learn more about syncopation in our complete guide.
2. Four-on-the-floor beats. Four-on-the-floor is a rhythm pattern kept in “4/4” time, meaning the bass drum uniformly hits every quarter note. This ‘heartbeat’ rhythm provided a steady beat that encouraged listeners to get to the dance floor.
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/disco-history-and-influence
https://www.libertyparkmusic.com/5-common-guitar-chord-progressions/#:~:text=C%20%2D%20F%20%2D%20G%20(I%20%2D%20IV%20%2D%20V)&text=It%20is%20extremely%20common%20in,you%20some%20other%20common%20progressions.
Lyrical Analysis
Lyrical Analysis
Lyrics across the decades
Lyrics have changed throughout decades, as society has adapted, so have civilians. Within the 1950s, artists were singing about topics that can still be related to today, as modern artists have been inspired by those. Blues music often sang about grief, wanting a better life, or heartbreak.
A common structure used was the AAB structure as it is inspired by the call and response from African gospel music, as the leader would call out a prayer, the audience would respond or repeat the lyric. During this decade the civil rights movement took place for the freedom of black civilians in America, musicians sang how they felt and were able to get recognition for their music and not just white-washing the artists such as Elvis popularising Hounddog, when in fact it was Big Mamam Thrtons track. In the 1950s, black artists began making music with roots in gospel music, blues, and jazz that became the soul movement, which was positioned in direct response to the injustices of the civil rights era.
From the 1950s and into the 1960s, similar themes were still being sung about, such as protest music was still popular, as the Vietnam War was declared, people turned to protest within music and without. Musicians such as Bob Dylan was not afraid to let authorities know his opinion. People began to have self-expression and the development of soul in Motown music was evolving from blues music and lyrics.
This article goes into detail about how Motown evolved from the 1950s, that black people were getting the recognition in their music that they deserved. "In the early 60s, the music industry was rapidly expanding. African-American singers would soon reach a bigger audience than ever before. The Civil Rights movement meant that black people’s interests were being voiced and white people were beginning to listen – and music would be a medium for that message".
https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/60s-motown-history-music/#:~:text=In%20the%20early%2060s%2C%20the,a%20medium%20for%20that%20message.
Into the 70s and 80s, more genres were evolving and musicians were singing about different concepts. Protest music was still about and was often sung in Punk music and Reggae. 'The Sex Pistol's 'God Save the Queen' was notorious for calling out the Royal Family on the Queen's silver jubilee in 1977, by saying "God save the queen, her fascist regime". Additionally Joni Mitchell's track 'Big Yellow Taxi' is about deforestation and destruction of natural beauty, where Mitchell noticed a huge parking lot that tarnished the natural beauty of the islands in the middle of the northern Pacific Ocean.
Within reggae, it's difficult to categorize it as protest music as ultimately reggae artists wanted to spread peace and no violence. Political violence began to break out in Jamaica as a deeply political form of protest and contestation against the colonial and imperialist forces operative in the social context of Jamaican life. It was Bob Marey amongst others who sang about freedom and peace in Jamaica, such as in his 1980s hit 'One Love' used structures from blues music such as the leader calling out the lyric and then the audience would repeat or respond.
In the 90s and 2000s, the rise of technology and new music. From the late 80s Hip-Hop emerged in New York by black youths who wanted to make their own music from their background. The artist Public Energy sang 'Fight the Power' in 1990.
"Cause I'm Black and I'm proud
I'm ready and hyped plus I'm amped
Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps
Sample a look back you look and find
Nothing but rednecks for 400 years if you check"
The lyrics stand out as exhorting young audiences to rebel against racial discrimination and economic inequality, even if it means turning to violence, this a modern interpretation that reflects protest music from the 1950s and stands with the civil rights movement, It is crazy to see how much hasn't changed in 50 years of music.
The 2000s was a close follow-from the 90s, with hip-hop continuing with R&B. Additionally, feminism is an issue that still needs to be addressed in the 21st century, as Madonna was a key example in the 80 with giving women a voice and explaining that women can do whatever men can. Beyonce's 2008 track 'If I Were a Boy' is a commentary on the double standards that often exist between men and women and a story of role reversal. She explores what it would be like if she did all the things he did to her every day.
"If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I'd be a better man
I'd listen to her
When you lose the one you wanted
Instruments
Instruments
Technology has been a main cause for the development of music, within the 50s, it was primarily live and raw instruments on recordings, but as time has moved on music has changed vastly. In the 60s, the experimentation began to take place with fuzz pedals and creating loud distortion noises with guitars. As Jimi Hendrix was left-handed he refused to play with his right hand, so he adapted to playing the guitar upside down.
Additionally, The Beatles had unique haircuts, clothing, and stage presence along with a witty approach to press conferences. The Beatles' success story is a testament to the collaboration of individuals who were committed to perfection in their roles and who utilized the special talents of each member.
In the 70s and 80s was when technology began to replace instruments. This article helped me to break down, how synthesizers took over across further decades. "by the ‘70s the synth went from a novelty act to a mainstream instrument, sometimes replacing guitars completely. While pop music was forking rapidly: soft rock, hard rock, glam rock, prog rock, Southern rock, disco, funk, punk, new wave, Afrobeat, R&B… electronic music was just beginning to establish itself for the masses".
https://rmhendrix.medium.com/under-the-influence-of-70s-synths-59c083230cd
As I mentioned the 1980s was a huge development for synthesizers and machine drums, but live music was so different as there were fewer people on stage, and it would take a thew people controlling the song with a keyboard and the lead singer.
Into the '90s and 2000s, technology was proceeding to change and become more adaptable for people to learn and create music of their own. Further changing from the 1950s, when computers were not accessible, rap and R&B were very common in the 90s with the influence of black culture. But additionally, rock n roll and Britpop were incorporating synths and electronics as well such as Blur's 'Boys and Girls' track, which has a distinctive synth progression at the beginning.
Within the 2000s The popularity of teen pop carried over from the '90s, with acts such as the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears dominating the charts early in the decade. Hip-hop and R&B artists like Nelly and Destiny's Child also scored top 10 hits in the early 2000s. Electronics in pop music, performing live was big and the artists had to put on a large performances with dance routines and big outfits, such Lady Gaga's early performances showcase her unique style of music
Reflection
Reflection
My reflection on performing throughout the decades has been really enjoyable. I've found it interesting experimenting with different techniques from over 50 years of music and how music has developed vastly.
My favorite decade that I have rehearsed and performed in would be the 70s so far, as I didn't realize how groovy the 'Hotel California' bassline is as well with the guitar and drums, within my band, it was one of the strongest songs as we were all in time and hit every beat perfectly. Our 70s cover was ' I Kissed A Girl' by Katy Perry and we turned it into a punk-style song, which was a rising genre of the time. When we perform it, its always high energy.At the moment we are finising our first original together, which is a 90s inspired alternative rock track called 'Gravity'. The track very much sounds like The Cranberries and Rdiohead, which is a good combination.
Influential artists who moved the music industry forward
Influential artists who moved the music industry forward
Elvis's inspiration growing up in a large black community in Tupelo Mississippi the" combination of “black music” and lively performances was crucial in helping to start a new counter-cultural revolution, one that attempted to break down color barriers and awaken the youth to influences outside of what was deemed “safe.”
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Presley was a huge inspiration throughout his musical career, he broke boundaries and stood up for the civil rights movement, breaking the barrier between black and white civilians. This article helped me to understand Presley's early career and what influenced him to change music. "In the 1950s Much of his music was influenced by the black artists he grew up listening to. A fan of early blues singers like B.B. King and Arthur “Big Boy Crudup, Presley wanted to share that music with the world. And he did. His first single was a cover of Crudup’s “That’s All Right,” which he had recorded after starting to sing it during a break at his first recording session for Sun Records".
https://medium.com/@vinylbay777/how-elvis-presley-changed-music-and-culture-99c63605ebf
Throughout his short career, Hendrix spoke at length about those who he idolized during his childhood. Muddy Waters was an artist who mattered to him more than most, and he remembered being transfixed by his playing style, which illuminated his life at an early age.
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
Hendrix's short fame left him with an everlasting effect on future musicians this article went into detail about what made Hendrix different from others, from his live performances to and guitars that he used. "He arguably brought the electric guitar to the forefront of the genre, as he would continually use it to make the loud and sharp sounds that he was able to produce whilst playing the instrument" as well for pedals and guitar effects, Hendrix was always a favourite to wah-wah pedals and adding another texture to his playing. Hendrix's techniques, such as literally bending the strings
https://1883magazine.com/jimi-hendrix-had-a-massive-influence-on-music-history/
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