Rock Anthems

• Notable Artists:

  • Queen
  • Bon Jovi
  • Guns n' Roses
  • Led Zeppelin
• Tempo and time signature:

  • usually 4/4
  • tempo varies
• Typical features:

  • homophonic texture
  • polyphonic texture when vocals, guitar and drums play different rhythms at the same time
  • often long intros
  • verse-chorus structure
  • heavy on electric guitar riffs/ostinatos
  • use of strong power chords
  • dynamics at steady f - ff due to heavy amplification
  • heavy backbeat (emphasis on 2 and 4)
  • vocal melody with accompaniment
• Time of Rock Anthems:

  • 1970s - 80s
• Instrumentation:

  • vocals
  • drum kit
  • lead electric guitar
  • rhythm guitar
  • bass guitar
  • (piano)
  • (synthesiser)
• Venue:

  • stadiums
  • festivals
• Technology:

  • amplification - louder volumes means larger venues
  • distortion - a grungy, dirty sound
  • wah-wah
  • delay - repeats the sound quieter each time
  • multi-tracking - recording separate parts and playing them together
  • reverb - adds an echo to the sound