Be able to associate specific performers with appropriate performance style(s).
Know the characteristics of each of the three musical styles that fed into the emergence of Rock & Roll; i.e., melody, harmony, rhythm, instrumentation, form, lyrics, & vocal style.
Know the "Elements of Music" and the "Musical Structures" as discussed in class.
Be able to identify the correct definition of the following musical terms:
rhythm
tempo
melody
range
conjunct
disjunct
harmony
chord
triad
timbre
texture
dynamics
musical form
What are the 3 questions you must ask yourself when attempting to determine the difference between monophonic, homophonic, and polyphonic textures?
What are the three most likely possibilities at any juncture in the musical form?
What male singer-song writer personified the folk-rock movement of the sixties, combining elements of pure folk music (a la Woody Guthrie) with rock & roll?
What was Bob Dylan's birth name?
Who is the Columbia Records executive credited with recognizing Bob Dylan's raw talent and signing him to a contract?
What is meant by the term "talking blues?" What blues singer is credited with developing this style?
What was the reason for the 1965 Newport Folk Festival audience's negative reaction to Bob Dylan's appearance? What style of rock music was born as a result?
What group served as Dylan's backup band during his recuperation after his motorcycle accident in 1966?
What was Bob Dylan's most significant contribution to the history of rock?
What is the most probable reason that the remarkable potential exhibited by The Byrds was only partially fulfilled?
How did the remaining members of The Byrds resolve the situation Gene Clarke and then David Crosby left the group?
In addition to co-founding folk-rock (along with Dylan), The Byrds are often credited with starting another style of rock & roll that became popular during the 70s. What was it called?
A revised version of "The Sounds of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel reached the #1 position in 1966. How did this version differ from the original released a year earlier?
For what film did Simon & Garfunkel provided the musical soundtrack?
Who was the DJ in Cleveland that was influential in the expansion of black music into the white market during the 1950s?
Who was the lead singer for the Soul Stirrers, who served as a model for other gospel singers to cross over to the white market? What 1957 single succeeded in making this crossover a reality?
What record company was established in 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson? To what style of music were they primarily dedicated?
Who was the producer who proved invaluable to Atlantic Records in establishing the "soul sound?" What Memphis recording studio did he establish as "Soulsville, U.S.A?"
Aretha Franklin's early recording were unsuccessful, probably due to the style of music. How would you describe the songs on these four Columbia albums?
What record company signed her when here contract with Columbia expired? Who was the producer largely responsible for developing her into a soul singer?
Aretha won the Grammy Award for best R&B performance by a female artist how many years in a row?
How would you describe Aretha's level of participation in the process of composing, arranging, performing, and recording her music?
Who was considered "the Godfather of Soul?"
James Brown's music maintained a high level of energy throughout, though the musical structures usually consisted of Brown's highly-emotional vocal improvisations over "riffs" performed in extended, repetitive "vamps." What are "riffs" and "vamps?"
Who was the founder of Detroit's Motown Records? How did he come up with the necessary capital to start his record company?
What Motown song miraculously rose to the #2 position late the same year the record company was established? Who was the artist that co-wrote the song (with Gordy) and performed the lead vocal?
Name two prototypes for the female groups of the 1960s.
What was the role of Holland, Dozier, & Holland at Motown Records? What were the typical responsibilities falling to each of these gentlemen?
When we speak of Berry Gordy's insistence of "total control," to what specifically are we referring?
Who were the most popular Motown male group of the 60s, boasting the dual lead singer format of Eddie Kendricks' strong falsetto and David Ruffin's smooth baritone?
What 10-year old amazed Berry Gordy with his musical ability, playing piano, organ, drums, & harmonica, in addition to singing? What was the single he released in 1963 that was the first "live" single to hit #1?
What was the name of the female vocal group that raised Motown from being simply a successful business to an "industry giant?"
What was significant about their experience traveling with the Dick Clark Cavalcade of Stars in 1964?
What are specific characteristics of the "Motown Sound?"
What change in radio format assisted in gaining airplay for the San Francisco "acid rock" bands? What San Francisco DJ served as a key figure in this transition?
What four characteristics typify music of the San Francisco bands during this period?
What was the first San Francisco band to land a recording contract with a major label (RCA)? Under what names did this band record between their formation in 1965 and their disbanding in 1990?
Who is considered the first real female rock star? With what group did she perform at the height of her success?
What archetypal San Francisco band of the 1960s (and beyond) began their musical career as Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions and then switched to the Warlocks? By what name are their unswervingly loyal followers called?
What are "acid tests?"
Having had only one Top 40 hit ("Touch of Grey") in the 1980s, to what do we credit the Grateful Dead's level of success and longevity?After attending UT Austin for only one year, Janis Joplin returned to San Francisco to be lead singer of what band? How did Janis' voice change due to the overpowering accompaniment of a powerful rock band?
What happened just prior to the release her second solo album (Pearl) in 1970?
How would you characterize Janis Joplin's vocal style?
What musical characteristics make the blues-based mainstream rock style of the Doors sound dark and down-beat?
What 1960s rock guitarist has become deified by later rock enthusiasts, especially guitarists? In what ways did he innovate guitar performance style?
How did Jimi Hendrix begin his professional musical career?
What was Hendrix' only Top 40 single?
What was the name of his rock trio?
What was unique about the manner in which Hendrix was able to get his break into the music business?
Who were the three J's that died between September 18, 1970 and July 3, 1971—all at the age of 27?
What is improvisation?
What are the three rudiments of improvisation discussed in your text? Once these basics are accomplished, what separates the best improvisers from their mediocre counterparts?
What band did Al Kooper & Steve Katz form after the Blues Project had disbanded?
What was the primary cause of tension within Blood, Sweat, & Tears as they recorded their debut album, Child is Father to the Moon (1968), resulting in a rather uneven recording?
After a substantial change of personnel following their debut album, how was their follow-up album (Blood, Sweat, & Tears) received by the record-buying public? by the recording industry?
What Rolling Stones song did B, S, & T use as the basis for one of their extended compositions on Blood, Sweat, & Tears 3? Would you call this a "cover?" Why or why not?
What was the most probable reason that B, S, & T album sales plummeted after 1971?
How did B, S, & T and Chicago compare when considering the influence of jazz & rock element in their musical style?
What was significant about Chicago's album sales, beginning with Chicago V?
What is the most probable reason for the longevity of Chicago's success? How does this compare with B, S, & T?
From what country did most of the art rock "explorers" come?
What is the problem (evident in the Moody Blues' "Days of Future Past") with most rock musicians' concept of classical music?
What rock keyboard player received a commission from the BBC to compose a piece for rock group and orchestra? For what rock band of the late 60s & early 70s did he play? What was the name of the 6-movement piece he composed to fulfill this commission?
What rock band, above all others, embraced the "rock opera" as a means of creative expression?
What is the name of the premier keyboard player who, apart from his impressive solo output, played with an art rock band named Yes from 1971 to 1974, and then again from 1976 to 1980?
What keyboard player, more than any other rock artist, has persistently and successfully pursued the concept of art rock?
What does the acronym "ELP" stand for?
Which of the six typical approaches to art rock is exemplified in ELP's "Pictures at an Exhibition" (1972)? "Karn Evil 9"?
What inherent difficulty was created with the attempt to recreate live performances of complex songs like "Karn Evil 9"? How were they resolved by ELP?
Who was art rock's premier iconoclast, attacking and ridiculing everything through his music? What was the name of his group, becoming underground favorites in L.A. during 1965?
What is unique about Zappa's "Help, I'm a Rock" (1967) in comparison to other art rock compositions we have heard thus far? How does this composition relate to what was stated in your text regarding most rock musicians' conception of "classical music?"
Know what the authors mean by the following statements:
What is the cycle referred to by the authors in relation to Basic Statement #1? Can you provide an example in addition to the one given in the text?
What is the problem inherent in the game of "one-upsmanship" as new bands attempt to attract attention and distinguish themselves from all of the other up-and-coming artists?
What highly successful band of the 1960s provides an early example of the "bad is good" concept?
Why is the following statement prejudicial? "Real rock" (i.e., simple, 3-chord, duple meter rock) is for "real people" (i.e., the average middle- and lower-income working class).
Is the fact that music affects behavior "good" or "bad?" Why?
Do you believe that rock performers have gone too far in their attempt to gain attention with onstage and off-stage) antics? If so, why? If not, how can such behavior be justified?
What was the purpose of the hearing held before the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation in 1985, instigated by the Parents' Music Resource Center?
According to your text, does product labeling constitute censorship?
Is the rock music industry driven by the "free will" of those who listen to the music and, in some cases, decide to buy the product? Why or why not?
What solution to the status quo was suggested by Frank Zappa at the Senate hearing mentioned above?