Rock Dresses Up?Rock Dresses Up?

Art Music of the late ‘60s and early Art Music of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s‘70s

Art RockArt Rock

• Basically, any band or artist who reaches Basically, any band or artist who reaches out to Classical music, or to other forms of out to Classical music, or to other forms of modern art (visual, theatrical, etc) or both to modern art (visual, theatrical, etc) or both to make an artistic statementmake an artistic statement

The Who The Who • Physicality, stage behavior important Physicality, stage behavior important

characteristic of bandcharacteristic of band– Windmill strumming of Townshend; leaps and Windmill strumming of Townshend; leaps and

splitssplits– Daltry strutting, mic twirlingDaltry strutting, mic twirling– Townshend calls “pop art”Townshend calls “pop art”

• Openly hostile on stage - early punk Openly hostile on stage - early punk aestheticaesthetic– ““Anti-anti Beatles”Anti-anti Beatles”

TommyTommy• Concept album with operatic conventions Concept album with operatic conventions

in mind: tells story without spoken in mind: tells story without spoken dialoguedialogue

• Minimal plotMinimal plot

• Doesn’t incorporate symphonic sounds, Doesn’t incorporate symphonic sounds, additional instruments: performable (and additional instruments: performable (and performed) liveperformed) live

Pinball WizardPinball Wizard

• Beatles-like form: verse and refrain with Beatles-like form: verse and refrain with contrasting middle eightcontrasting middle eight

Pinball Wizard Š The Who

Intro: 9 bars - 8 beat acoustic guitar line (riff A)4 bars - 16-beat acoustic guitar riff (r iff B)4 bars - electric guitar enters with harmonies (riff B+)

A Ever since I was a young boy Bass line enters with beginning of verseI've played the silver ball Accompaniment, with riff B+From Soho down to BrightonI must have played them allBut I ain't seen nothing like him In any amusement hallThat deaf, dumb and blind kid refrain Stop timeSure plays a mean pinball drums re-enter

Electric guigar riff (r iff C) as bridge

A He stands like a statue Same accompaniment as A a bove, withBecomes part of the machine "pinging" chord addedFeeling all the bumpersAlways playing cleanHe plays by intuition The digit counters fallThat deaf, dumb and blind kid refrain Stop timeSure plays a mean pinball Drums re-enter

Riff C as bridge

B He's a pinball wizard New accompanying riff (D); hints ofThere's got to be a twist riff AA pinball wizardHe's got such a supple wrist

C How do you think he does it? Same accompaniment as above(I don't know)What makes him so good?

A He ain't got no distractions Riff B+, bass line, new choked riffCan't hear those buzzers and bells derived from BDon't see lights a flashin'Plays by sense of smellAlways gets a replayNever tilts at allThat deaf, dumb and blind kidSure plays a mean pinball

Riff C as bridge

B I thought I was The Bally table kingBut I just handedMy pinball crown to him

He ain't got no distractions Riff B+, bass line, new chokedCan't hear those buzzers and bells riff derived from BDon't see lights a flashin'Plays by sense of smellAlways gets a replayNever tilts at allThat deaf, dumb and blind kidSure plays a mean pinball

Riff C as bridge

B I thought I was The Bally table kingBut I just handedMy pinball crown to him

Last 8 of intro, repeated 2x

A Even on my favorite table Normal accompaniment to AHe can beat my bestHis disciples lead him inAnd he just does the restHe's got crazy flipper fingersNever seen him fallThat deaf, dumb and blind kidSure plays a mean pinball

Outro - guitar solo over electrified riff A

Note: Riff D, with different rhythmic profile, is the opening riff to "I'm Free"

The DoorsThe Doors

• Literary orientationLiterary orientation

• Lead singer Jim Morrison a Lead singer Jim Morrison a beat poetbeat poet– Free associationFree association– Themes of exploration of altered states - sex, Themes of exploration of altered states - sex,

drugs, deathdrugs, death

The Doors - Style characteristicsThe Doors - Style characteristics

• Blues-based mainstream rockBlues-based mainstream rock

• Narrow range, highly repetitive melodiesNarrow range, highly repetitive melodies

• Most songs in minor keysMost songs in minor keys

• Long, extended solos,esp. for keyboardLong, extended solos,esp. for keyboard

• Poetic lyrics, dealing with dark subjectsPoetic lyrics, dealing with dark subjects

Light My FireLight My Fire• Five bar intro establishes organ riff/melodic hookFive bar intro establishes organ riff/melodic hook• Verse (8 bars long)Verse (8 bars long)• Refrain (7 bars long)Refrain (7 bars long)• Long instrumental solosLong instrumental solos

– Based on version of organ riffBased on version of organ riff– Repeats ideas, adds and extendsRepeats ideas, adds and extends– Passes idea to guitar - same type of repetitive Passes idea to guitar - same type of repetitive

developmentdevelopment

Types of Art RockTypes of Art Rock

• Music created for rock group and classical Music created for rock group and classical ensembleensemble– Ex. Eleanor Rigby – Beatles + string quintetEx. Eleanor Rigby – Beatles + string quintet– Ex. Moody Blues – Nights in White Satin – Ex. Moody Blues – Nights in White Satin –

rock band + symphony orchestrarock band + symphony orchestra– Other groups of this typeOther groups of this type

• Procul HarumProcul Harum• Electric Light OrchestraElectric Light Orchestra• Deep Purple (sometimes)Deep Purple (sometimes)

Art Rock - typesArt Rock - types

• Fusion of rock + classical musicFusion of rock + classical music

• Inspired by experiments of Inspired by experiments of Sgt. PeppersSgt. Peppers and and Pet SoundsPet Sounds

• Exploration of musical avant-gardeExploration of musical avant-garde

Avant-garde classical musicAvant-garde classical music

• Avant-gardeAvant-garde – intelligentsia that develops – intelligentsia that develops new or experimental conceptsnew or experimental concepts

• Musical avant-garde in the 20Musical avant-garde in the 20 thth c. exploring c. exploring questions like questions like – ““What is music”?What is music”?– Are all sounds valid as musical sounds?Are all sounds valid as musical sounds?– How can you incorporate non-Western musical How can you incorporate non-Western musical

ideas into Western music?ideas into Western music?

John Cage (1908-1990)John Cage (1908-1990)

• In early career, writing revolutionary, but easily In early career, writing revolutionary, but easily understood, musicunderstood, music

• Later works more philosophical, testing Later works more philosophical, testing boundaries of musicboundaries of music– Chance music: notes determined at randomChance music: notes determined at random

– 4’33”: musicians do nothing for duration of piece4’33”: musicians do nothing for duration of piece

Edgar VarEdgar Varèse (1883-1965)èse (1883-1965)

• Interested in using “non-musical” sounds in Interested in using “non-musical” sounds in musicmusic

• In late ’30 begins composing music using In late ’30 begins composing music using electronicselectronics– Idea: all sounds available for musical useIdea: all sounds available for musical use– Record, manipulate sounds from natural Record, manipulate sounds from natural

environmentenvironment– Called Called musique concretemusique concrete

MinimalismMinimalism

• Pieces created out of minimum of musical Pieces created out of minimum of musical materialmaterial

• Single idea repeated incessantly, slowly Single idea repeated incessantly, slowly changes over timechanges over time

• Ex. Solos in “Light My Fire”Ex. Solos in “Light My Fire”

• Ex. Steve Reich, “Check It Out” from Ex. Steve Reich, “Check It Out” from Street Street LifeLife

Steve Reich - “Check It Out”Steve Reich - “Check It Out”

• Combines musique concrete and minimalismCombines musique concrete and minimalism• Short intro: chordsShort intro: chords• Three note motive (like riff, but less rhythmically Three note motive (like riff, but less rhythmically

interesting) introduced; basis for rest of movementinteresting) introduced; basis for rest of movement• Shortly after, recorded sound introduced – sample Shortly after, recorded sound introduced – sample

“Check It out”“Check It out”• Number of repetitions, permutations of 3-note Number of repetitions, permutations of 3-note

motivemotive• More sampled, electronically manipulated soundsMore sampled, electronically manipulated sounds

Velvet UndergroundVelvet Underground

• Associated with NY art scene - Andy Associated with NY art scene - Andy Warhol acts as mentorWarhol acts as mentor

• Primary rock influence Bob Dylan, but Primary rock influence Bob Dylan, but fused with lofty poetry, minimalismfused with lofty poetry, minimalism

• Ex. HeroinEx. Heroin

Frank Zappa (1940-1993) and the Frank Zappa (1940-1993) and the Mothers of InventionMothers of Invention

• Zappa studied classical music in college Zappa studied classical music in college • influenced by avant-garde composers like Varinfluenced by avant-garde composers like Varèseèse• Gained notoriety with Freak-Outs – multi-media Gained notoriety with Freak-Outs – multi-media

happenings with slides, music, dancers,etc.happenings with slides, music, dancers,etc.– Recording of one of these, Freak Out (1965) arguably Recording of one of these, Freak Out (1965) arguably

first concept albumfirst concept album

• Best known as rock satirist Best known as rock satirist

Zappa, Zappa, What’s The Ugliest Part of What’s The Ugliest Part of Your Body?Your Body?

• From album We’re Only In It For The Money From album We’re Only In It For The Money (1967)(1967)

• Juxtaposition of textures, tone colorsJuxtaposition of textures, tone colors• Stylistic contrastStylistic contrast

– Section A: Doo-wop influenced, Section A: Doo-wop influenced, musical irony musical irony (words (words and music don’t match)and music don’t match)

– Section B: avant-garde classicalSection B: avant-garde classical– Section C: ??? Psychedelic pop???Section C: ??? Psychedelic pop???

• Rhythmic contrast as wellRhythmic contrast as well

B Section -- 2 + 2 + 3/ 4

All your children are poor un fortunate 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 1 2 3

vic tims of systems be yond their control 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 1 2 3

A plague upon your ignor ance to the 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 1 2 3

grey des pair of your ugly life 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 1 2 3

C Section – 3/4 time

Where did Annie go when she went to town?Who are all those creeps that she brings around?

B Section Repeats

Pink FloydPink FloydCreated in 1965 as blues bandCreated in 1965 as blues band• Became more classically, psychedelically oriented Became more classically, psychedelically oriented

when Gilmour replaces Barrett in 1968when Gilmour replaces Barrett in 1968• Evident in Evident in

– Song cycles: Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Song cycles: Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were HereHere

– The Wall – operaticThe Wall – operatic

– Use of musique concrete on albumsUse of musique concrete on albums

– Complex time signatures, layering of sound, sound mass, Complex time signatures, layering of sound, sound mass, complex formscomplex forms

Pink Floyd - MoneyPink Floyd - Money

• Cash register sounds at beginning – Cash register sounds at beginning – musique concretemusique concrete

• Seven beats per measure: 3+2+2 = Seven beats per measure: 3+2+2 = additive additive metermeter

Progressive RockProgressive Rock

• Adopts not only techniques, but also forms Adopts not only techniques, but also forms and stature of Classical musicand stature of Classical music

• ExamplesExamples– Genesis (early)Genesis (early)– Emerson, Lake, and PalmerEmerson, Lake, and Palmer– King CrimsonKing Crimson– YesYes

YesYes

• Classically trained musicians, interested in Classically trained musicians, interested in creating rock structured like Classical musiccreating rock structured like Classical music

• Most songs long, multi-sectional, Most songs long, multi-sectional, approximate Classical genres like sonata, approximate Classical genres like sonata, suite, concertosuite, concerto

Yes – RoundaboutYes – Roundabout• IntroductionIntroduction

– CrescendoCrescendo (building) of sound (building) of sound– Dissolves into guitar playing Dissolves into guitar playing harmonicsharmonics

• Creates “ringing” soundCreates “ringing” sound

– Classically influenced melodyClassically influenced melody

• A – VerseA – Verse– 10 bars long; extra 2 beat bar at beginning and ending create 10 bars long; extra 2 beat bar at beginning and ending create

unbalanced feelingunbalanced feeling

• A – Verse (repeated)A – Verse (repeated)• B sectionB section• Another A B exchangeAnother A B exchange• A theme and vocal line + repeating pattern established = A theme and vocal line + repeating pattern established =

minimalist influenceminimalist influence

Yes – RoundaboutYes – Roundabout• Interlude – same as intro, but repeating pattern Interlude – same as intro, but repeating pattern

continuescontinues

• Organ soloOrgan solo

• A and B repeatedA and B repeated

• Choral sectionChoral section– Sound massSound mass– Seven beat measuresSeven beat measures

• Outro = introOutro = intro

Glam RockGlam Rock• Offshoot of art rockOffshoot of art rock• Rock as theatre and spectacleRock as theatre and spectacle• Bands, but primarily singers, assume persona on Bands, but primarily singers, assume persona on

stage, in studiostage, in studio• Exs. Exs.

– T Rex (Bang a Gong)T Rex (Bang a Gong)– KissKiss– QueenQueen– Alice CooperAlice Cooper– David BowieDavid Bowie

David Bowie (David Robert Jones, David Bowie (David Robert Jones, 1947 - )1947 - )

• During early career, During early career, assumed different assumed different persona for nearly persona for nearly every albumevery album

• Above: Aladdin Sane, Above: Aladdin Sane, 19731973

• Below: Thin White Below: Thin White Duke, 1976Duke, 1976

David Bowie – Hang On To David Bowie – Hang On To YourselfYourself

• During reign of most enduring Bowie character, During reign of most enduring Bowie character, Ziggy StardustZiggy Stardust

• Introduced with album of same nameIntroduced with album of same name• Hang On To YourselfHang On To Yourself

– Role playing throughout songRole playing throughout song– Lyrics constantly shift tense, personaLyrics constantly shift tense, persona– Vocal tone altered for every sectionVocal tone altered for every section– Vocal and instrumental hooks saturate textureVocal and instrumental hooks saturate texture

• Hallmark of the Bowie styleHallmark of the Bowie style

– Spare, uncluttered texture Spare, uncluttered texture