Rock Songs Vocabulary Flashcards

Musical Terms and Concepts

• Melody: Refers to the tune of a musical piece.
• Harmony: Involves a pleasing combination of tones played together, typically in the background, while a melody is present. It also relates to the study of chord progressions.
• Riff: A repeating musical pattern that often forms the basis of a song.
• Phrase: A musical sentence that creates a distinct section of a piece.
• Simple Meter: Includes time signatures like 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4; characterized by beats divisible by 2.
• Compound Meter: A meter in which the beat can be divided by 3, often providing a more complex rhythmic structure.
• Rhythm Section: A group of musicians responsible for maintaining the underlying pulse and rhythm of a composition.

Song Forms

• Full Reprise: Occurs when the entire AABA structure of a song is repeated.
• Partial Reprise: Involves the repetition of only part of the AABA form.
• Coda: The final section that concludes a musical work, often summarizing themes present throughout.
• 12 Bar Blues: A standard chord progression framework used frequently in blues music, lasting 12 bars with typically three chords.
• Doo-Wop Progression: A sequence of four chords: I - vi - IV - V, commonly used in doo-wop music.
• Simple Verse: A song structure featuring only verses with no choruses.
• Simple Verse-Chorus: Utilizes a single musical pattern for both verses and choruses.
• Contrasting Verse-Chorus: Features verses using one melody while the chorus employs a contrasting melody (ABAB structure).
• AABA Song Form: Consists of 32 bars divided into four 8-bar phrases, with "A" phrases nearly identical and a contrasting "B" phrase (bridge).
• Refrain: A repeated section found in ballads, often serving as a thematic anchor.
• Pre-Chorus: Builds tension and transitions into the chorus.
• Compound AABA: A variation featuring a contrasting bridge followed by a repeat of the 32-bar section.

Influential Artists and Genres

• Big Joe Turner: Known for aggressive lyrics and energetic performances in 12 bar blues; "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" is a notable hit.
• Bill Haley and The Comets: Adopted a less aggressive style compared to their contemporaries, while still utilizing 12 bar blues and simple verse chorus structures.
• R&B: Dismissed by some parents due to racial biases and the sexually provocative lyrics of performers.
• Alan Freed: A Cleveland disc jockey who popularized the term "rhythm-and-blues," bridging racial divides among teenage audiences.
• Frank Sinatra: Celebrated entertainer with a distinctive voice and significant cultural influence, known for leading the Rat Pack and starring in numerous films.
• Jimmie Rodgers: A foundational figure in country music, known for blending country, blues, and yodeling.
• Bessie Smith: An iconic African American blues singer associated with the Harlem Renaissance, hailed as the "Empress of the Blues."
• Muddy Waters: Instrumental in shaping modern rock 'n' roll and electric blues, he transformed traditional folk blues.
• Howlin' Wolf: Known for his yodeling style, influenced by Jimmie Rodgers, and a major figure in blues music.
• Hank Williams: Renowned American country singer-songwriter, known for chart-topping hits in the early '50s despite his limited musical notation skills.
• Les Paul: Innovator in music technology, credited with introducing multi-track recording methods.