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The launch of rock 'n' roll
Musical features of rock 'n' roll
- Rhythmic drive and energy
- Swing or boogie-woogie rhythms
- Emphasis on primary chords (I, IV and V)
- Often 12 bar blues chord structure
- Walking bass line (played by bass guitar or pizzicato on the double bass)
- Instrumental solo sections
- Beats 2 and 4 emphasised by the snare drum (backbeat)
- Intense "shouty" vocals (e.g. The Beatles' Twist and Shout)
Instruments often used are:
- Electric and/or acoustic guitar
- Double bass (or bass guitar)
- Drum kit
- Piano
- Saxophones (only really in the 1950's)
- Lead vocals, sometimes accompanied by backing vocalists singing in close harmony
Famous Artists
- Elvis Presley (Hound Dog)
- Bill Haley and His Comets (Rock around the clock)
- The Beatles
- The Beach Boys
- Little Richard
Technology used in rock 'n' roll
- Electric guitars played through amplifiers
- Guitar amplifiers were often overdriven (turned up too loud) to create a slightly distorted sound
- Basic technological effects; reverb and echo