1970s Popular music

 The 1970s saw a lot more electronic music, from drum machines to other electronic instruments. Through new technologies and ideas, motown developed into disco, and with the increasing number of guitarists, rock grew larger and larger in the music industry. Main genres of music during this decade include disco, glam rock, progressive rock, reggae and punk.

 

• Four to the floor drum pattern
• Very upbeat - generally 120 bpm
• Funk bass line
• Syncopation
• Chicken scratching on the guitar (left hand muting)
• Commercial
• A drum machine is always used
• The result of development of motown and soul, but more lush
• This later develops into club dance music which is even more lush and rich
• Famous artists include Gloria Gaynor, The Bee Gees, Chic, Earth wind and fire, Tina Turner
• Example 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSVTOMkJdqs
• Example 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tth-8wA3PdY (Listen from 0:25)
• Example 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE2zx4lr-h8&feature=fvst

• New sound world with synthesizers
• Distorted guitar
• More rhythm from blues
• Jazz influences
• Example of Experimental rock: Emerson Lake and Palmer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0FuFfcCZiE&feature=related
• Example of Glam Rock - Queen - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDlUc7rmfvY
• Stadium Rock has a more distorted guitar and heavy bass lines. It also often has a whailing feel on the voice. In general, it is more virtuosic. Examples include Deep Purple and Led Zepplin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WX_4FNoto4

 

 Common musical features of Punk:

• The artists usually do not know how to play the instruments or sing, which results in a lot of shouting
• The songs are also harmonically simple
• Chords being played on bass guitars are also often as they do not realise that they are not supposed to
• The songs are often about social problems and are often anti-government
• Examples include the sex pistols, buzzcocks and The Clash
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQkActP-isE

Common musical features of Reggae: