On this page, I have written about the different compositional techniques used in each decade
Compositional techniques refers to methods, approaches and strategies that composers and songwriters use to create and structure music.
1950s
In the 1950s they used methods such as call and response, guitar solos, upbeat tempo, catchy melodies. Structural uses they used would be 12 bar blues and simple song structures.
Rhythmic patterns: Rock n Roll songs from the 1950s consisted of having a strong, driving rhythm, heavy bass drums, and a backbeat. The backbeat emphasises the second and fourth beats of the bar on the snare drum, this can be seen in many 50s songs for example 'rock around the clock'
Song structure: Songs from the 1950s followed a simple structure of verse-chorus with long intros, modulation in the bridge and catchy choruses. lasting often to 6-8 minutes long.
call and response: This is a musical format where the singer sings a line from a song and an instrument such as a guitar would respond. It has roots in African American cultural traditions, including work songs sung by enslaved people on plantations. An example of call and response would be in chuck berry's song 'school day (ring ring goes the bell)'
12 bar blues: This is a chord progression which is commonly heard in many 50s rock n roll songs such as 'jailhouse rock'. It has a distinctive form in lyrics, phrase, chord structure, and duration. Its divided into three four-bar segments based on the I, IV, V chords of a key.
1960s
In the 1960s they used methods such as contrasting dynamics, model interchange, and key changes. They used psychedelic influence, blue influence and eastern musical elements. 60s music tended to use the simple verse chorus structure and instrumental diversity.
Contrasting dynamics: This is the concept involving the use of different volumes like pianissimo(to be played softly) and fortissimo(very loud) to convey emotions and ideas. using this helps enhance a listeners emotional response by creating tension and release capturing the attention of the listeners. It also helped to make the chorus in songs more memorable since the chorus would be more punchy/loudly and the verses more soft.
Modal interchange: this is a compositional technique that involves borrowing chords from parallel modes or keys to create harmonic variety and tension in a piece of music. For example, C major and C minor are parallel keys. An example of this would be the song 'let it be' by the beatles, the F chord in the chorus is borrowed from the parallel minor key of C major. Or 'creep' by Radiohead where the C minor chord in the verse is borrowed from the parallel minor key of G major.
key changes: This is also known as modulation, being commonly used in music from the 1950s to 90s. Some examples of key changes are ' man in the mirror' where MJ does a step up key change rising from g to g sharp. Key changes were often placed towards the end of a song, or in the middle to signify a change in mood. Common modulations are to closely related to keys such as I,V,VI,III or II. Another example of key change is 'yellow brick road' with the song starting in F but ending chorus moved up to Ab.
Psychedelic influence: Psych rock incorporated new recording techniques and electronic sound effects, as well as extended instrumental solos and improvisation. It was largely inspired by hallucinogens, or so-called 'mind-expanding' drugs such as marijuana and LSD.
Eastern musical influences: Eastern influence was prominent in genres such as Jazz, Psych rock, and British Psych. For jazz, jazz musicians were sent to the middle east to promote jazz which led to the incorporation of middle eastern musical elements into jazz, including elements such as melodic structures, rhythms, and instruments. In psych rock, they often used eastern scales and modes to create unique soundscapes. the use of eastern philosophies like spirituality and mysticism also resonated with the themes in psychedelic rock lyrics. In British psych, they drew on non-western sources like Indian music's ragas and sitars. British artists like the Beatles incorporated Indian instruments into their music such as in 'Norwegian wood(this bird has flown)'.
1970s
Compositional techniques used in the 1970s are things such as, Funk grooves, Gutiar soloing, Reggae offbeat, punk simplicity. Other techniques include Layered harmonies, uprise in synths, power ballads, world music influence.
world music influences: Reggae and Ska-Jamaican genres influenced the globe in the 1970s, having an impact on many other genres such as punk and hip-hop. Some popular reggae artist are Bob Marley and The Wailers with songs such as 'no woman no cry' (1974). Nueva cancion- This was a popular left-wing social movement and musical genre in Latin America. It was best known for propelling a powerful populist political movement in places such a Chile, Argentina etc. Electronic music- Uses of synths and harmonisers became increasingly popular which led to the rise of electronic music creating synthpop.
Reggae offbeat: Reggae offbeat is counted as an 'and' between each count, or as a half-time feel on beats 2 and 4. Contrasting other genres which focus on 'downbeats'- one beat-. Examples of some reggae songs from the 70s are, The Maytals 'never grow old.
Guitar soloing: Guitar soloing was a way for guitarist to express their assertiveness and individuality through performance, while also enhancing the song/music as a whole. Examples of guitar solos in the 70s would be the classic 'stairway to heaven' with Jimmy Page's solo at 5:34 ending at 6:44, from the band Led Zeppelin. And 'Hotel California' by Don Felder and Joe Walsh of Eagles, starting at 0:44 lasting 2 minutes and 12 seconds.
1980s:
Synthesizers and Electric Sounds: The '80s experienced the ascent of the synthesizers, which, this period's music, revolved around. The affordability of polyphonic synthesizers such as the Yamaha DX7 and Roland Juno-106 provided artists with the capacity to create fullness of body and harmony of sound, which previously could not be achieved. This gave musicians room to explore new textures and tones and develop those late-century signature electronic soundscapes.
Layering and Overdubbing: Building upon techniques first explored in the previous decades, producers of the '80s, quite frequently employed layering and overdubbing to carve out heavily textured and immersive works. By essentially stacking different takes through an overdub process, a 'Wall of Sound' effect emerged, greatly enhancing listening pleasure through fullness and the marriage, with sonic bedlam.
Pop Hooks: Catchy melodies, simply put, were the very essence of '80s song writing. These earworms were designed to ensnare the listener into your world and keep your song abducted in their memory. The emphasis on strong hooks was a ticket that heavily endowed the era with a flurry of monster chart hits.
Drum Machines: The birth of drum machines, specifically the Roland TR-808, changed the face of rhythm sections in '80s music even more. With them came total control of pattern and sound production for an artist willing to construct a steady and innovative beat on which to build the genre, hip-hop and electronic dance music, and many offspring.
Reverb and echo effects were mercilessly applied to recordings for added depth and space during the '80s. These effects provided a sense of space, giving the tracks a larger-than-life feeling and furthering their emotional presence. The prominent use of gated reverb on drums gave an unmistakable "big drum" sound that became a trademark of the decade.
Sampling: Sampling, the art of taking bits and pieces from something already recorded and creating new music, came to the forefront in the '80s. The music samplers gave creative artists and producers the license to incorporate different sounds into their works of art, fueling creativity and fostering the birth of new genres. This style of doing things set into motion a lot of the present-day music production practices.
On the whole, the 1980s were a period of sweeping innovations in music production. Synthesizers and production techniques adopted alongside newer technologies contributed to the emergence of a sound that continues to inspire artists to this day.