Rock and Roll

• What was the rock and roll time period?

  1950s - 1960s
• Where did it originate from?

  • African american musical genres like Blues ans Gospel
  • it is fast and upbeat and exciting
  • it grew with the civil rights movement
• What are primary chords?

  • they are chords 1, 4 and 5
  • they are all major in the C scale
  • they are used in 12 bar blues
• Swing Rhythm

  A swing rhythm is when the are written normally (known as straight quavers) but are played ‘swung’. This gives them a triplet feel.
• Walking bass

  • first populated on the upright double bass
  • stepwise movement
  • on the beat
  • it provides a rhythmic drive
• Backbeat

  • when beats 2 and 4 are emphasised by a snare drum while 1 and 3 are the kick drum
  • it makes the music danceable and predictable
• Boogie Woogie Rhythm


  A rhythmic pattern characterized by a repetitive pattern of eighth-note rhythms on the e and a bass notes, creating a "bouncy" or "swingin'" feel.
• Vocal characteristics

  • harsh sounding
  • shouted
  • high pitched
  • narrow range
  • lots of repeated notes
  • very singable
• Features of rock and roll

  • vocals
  • boogie woogie rythms
  • backbeat
  • walking bass
  • swing rhythm
  • primary chords
  • instruments like electric guitars, pianos, drums, double bass, saxophones and more
• What are suitable artists to name?

  Elvis Presley and The Beatles
• Featured Instruments:

  • drum kit
  • electric guitar
  • bass guitar
  • vocals
  • piano
  • saxophone
  • harmonica
• Instrumental solos and techniques : 


  • improvisation
  • fast tempo
  • scalic runs
  • hammer-ons
  • pull offs
  • slides
  • double stop (playing two notes from a scale at the same time - eg: Johnny B Goode intro )