Rock n Roll analysis

Rock n Roll analysis
Order Description
1. Scenes: Choose one of the following three seminal rock cities—Memphis, Tennessee, New York City, or Lost Angeles—an describe how the musical scene changed over the period of time covered by this course. Refer to those articles in your readings that discuss music in each city, and discuss the career of musicians associated with that musical scene, as well as the music businesses that may be found there (this could include radio, recording companies, recording studios, or well-known clubs).

2. The Songwriter’s Art. Discuss how song-writing has changed from the early 1950s to 1980. Who wrote the majority of songs at the dawn of rock? When does this model change? What factors complicate the notion of a “composer” in rock and roll? How were composers paid for their contributions? Refer to those articles in your readings that discuss songwriters, and discuss the musicians associated with those writers.

3. Style and Influence. Pick two major figures/bands from two different eras; the earlier figure must have a demonstrable influence on the latter. Discuss the career of the earlier musician(s) and how the later figure(s) modeled themselves upon the earlier one. Discuss as well how the later figure(s) expanded on the earlier style or took it in a different direction. How did each musician or band relate to the music business as it existed in that era?

4. Music Analysis. Choose at least three songs from our listening list that have something in common (they may be by the same artist, or they may be on the same theme, or they may have the same instrumentation). Discuss the musical structure, instrumentation, arrangement, and production sound of the songs. Compare and contrast the songs, and evaluate why they are successful. You