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Earlier musicals were influenced by jazz and swing music while lots of musicals from the 1970s onwards used rock music.
They usually have
an orchestra to accompany the singers.
The genre started out on Broadway, a famous theatre street in New York. Later ones started in London’s West End.
Musicals are usually written in the style of the popular music that’s around at the time – so musicals from different times sound very different.
The harmony is diatonic – it’ll either be in a major or minor key.
Types of musical songs
The song structure is often simple with alternating verses and choruses and a middle 8 (like a pop song).
The chorus has a hook – a catchy bit of lyrics and melody that makes the song memorable.
Solo character song – a character sings about how they’re feeling.
Duet – duets are basically the same as solo character songs, except there are two people singing so you get two different reactions to a situation. You can also get trios, quartets, etc.
Action song – the words of the song tell you what’s going on in the plot – they lead you into the next bit of the story.
Chorus number – involve the full cast and are used to show major changes in location or plot.
Musicals :
Rock Music of the 60s and 70s
During the 1960s, rock ‘n’ roll evolved into more guitar-dominated music known simply as rock.
Like the 12 bar blues, rock songs also tend to be based around the primary chords I, IV and V.
Songs are often in 4/4 with a steady drum rhythm.
Songs follow a verse-chorus structure.
Rock music often uses power chords.
Power chords are made up of the tonic and 5th (no 3rd)
Typical instrumentation :
- lead electric guitar
- rhythm electric guitar
- lead singer
- bass guitar
- drummer
Hard Rock
Placed emphasis on loud and aggressive distorted solo guitar.
Featured riffs, virtuoso solos and fills.
Often used a range of tonalities, including modal scales.
Progressive Rock
Emerged during the late 60s.
Extended the normal 3-5 minutes of popular music forms into pieces lasting up to 15 minutes or more. In this sense, it tried to copy classical music and jazz, where the development of musical ideas takes much more time.
Involved lengthy instrumental solos, copying the improvised solos in jazz, and slow-moving chord patterns.
Psychedelic Rock
Tried to recreate the surreal images and sounds experienced with hallucinogenic drugs common to the 60s and 70s, like LSD.
Used lots of guitar effects and unusual electronic instruments and effects (eg, panning).
Lyrics were weird and dreamlike.
Bands include The Beatles & The Doors.
Heavy Metal:
Harder and more distorted than hard rock, with even longer guitar solos.
Glam Rock
Theatrical and glitzy.
Easier to listen to than hard rock, with a more rock ‘n’ roll feel and catchy hooks.
Musicians wore outrageous costumes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform shoes and glitter.
Anthems:
Because of the powerful nature of the music and lyrics, a lot of rock songs can be described as anthems.
They usually have memorable, singable choruses.
Examples include ‘Born to be Wild’ and ‘We Will Rock You’.
Punk Rock
Harsh and angry music from the 1970s.
Usually about anarchy and rebellion.
Lyrics were often shouted.
Often contained a limited number of chords, played at a fast tempo and distorted.