1950s - 1960s

The OCR GCSE Specification concentrates on Rock n Roll from the 1950s and 1960s.  Rock n Roll did not stop in the 1960s and there are still Rock n Roll bands around today!  But if you are asked to identify a suitable decade for Rock n Roll in your exam, the correct answer is the 1950s or 1960s. 

A typical Rock n Roll song will contain the following features.  Remember this in case you asked to list typical features of a Rock n Roll song in your exam.

12 Bar Blues chord pattern

This is a chord progression that uses just three chords.  The three chords are played in a repeated pattern.  The chord pattern lasts for 12 bars, hence the name '12 Bar Blues.'  A typical Rock n Roll song will use this chord pattern all the way through the song.  Click here to hear an example of a 12 Bar Blues chord progression

Walking Bassline

All pop songs will have a bassline, but Rock n Roll uses a certain type of bassline called the 'Walking Bassline.'  A walking bassline will move to a new note on every beat.  So as you count the beats (1, 2, 3, 4) the bass player will play a different note on each beat.  Click here to hear an example of a Walking Bassline.

Verse and Chorus Structure

Rock n Roll music uses a Verse and Chorus structure.  This is not unique to Rock n Roll music; most styles of Pop music will use a Verse and Chorus structure.  It is important to note that the chorus repeats several times throughout the song, usually with the same lyrics.  In Rock n Roll music, the chords and music will often not change during the verse and chorus as it follows the same 12 bar blues chord progression throughout the song.  It is the lyrics that change in each verse and repeat when the song reaches the chorus.

Swung Rhythm

Pop Music will have either a straight or a swung rhythm.  Rock n Roll uses a swung rhythm.   This helps give the music a more 'bouncy' feel.  This can also be refereed to as a 'Boogie Woogie' rhythm.  Think of it like this; in a straight rhythm we simply count - 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . 4 . . . etc.  But in a swung rhythm not all note lengths are equal, meaning the count is more like this - 1 . . +2 . . +3 . . +4.  Click here to listen to a straight beat vs a swung beat.

4 Beats in a Bar

Rock n Roll uses a 4/4 time signature, meaning there are 4 beats in every bar.  This is not unique to Rock n Roll; the majority of Pop Music will use a 4/4 time signature.

Solos and Improvisation

There are often instrumental solos in Rock n Roll songs (e.g. a guitar solo).  These instrumental solos are improvised.  This means the instrumentalist would make the solo up on the spot, using a scale (normally the pentatonic or blues scale).

There are LOTS of Rock n Roll artists.  You will NEVER be asked to name the artist playing the extract in the exam - this would mean learning every Rock n Roll artist and every song they ever performed! 

Instead, you will be asked to identify a suitable artist.  This means you only need to remember one Rock n Roll artist.

Remember one of these Rock n Roll artists...

• Elvis Presley

• The Beatles

If you are asked to identify a suitable artist for Rock n Roll and you put one of these artists, you will get the mark no matter who is performing the extract of music in the exam.

As stated above, Rock n Roll songs had instrumental sections.  This might be an instrumental introduction or a section within the song, or both!  If you are asked to describe the playing techniques used in an instrumental section (or solo) the following should help you get a mark...

Improvised - Solos in rock n roll are improved.  This means they are made up the performer on the spot.  The performer will use the notes of a scale to do this (usually either the Pentatonic or Blues scale).

Fast - Solos will usually have a quick tempo, with notes being played in quick succession.

Scalic runs - this means the notes of a scale will be played in order/sequence, either ascending, descending or both!  This is usually done at a fast tempo.

Guitar specific techniques...

Hammer on - this is when a guitarist plays a note a string, then forcefully places another finger on a different fret to play a second note.  So you get two separate notes with only one strike of the string.  Click here to see and hear an example.  Hammer ons and pull offs are used by guitarists so they can play notes quickly and smoothly.

Pull off - this is the opposite of a hammer on.  This is when a guitarist plays a note but then pulls there finger off the string to play a second not.  Click here to see and hear an example.  Hammer ons and pull offs are used by guitarists so they can play notes quickly and smoothly.

Slides - the correct musical term for a slide is 'Glissando.'  A slide is exactly what it sounds like; a guitarist will play a note, then slide their finger up the neck to a different note.  This is not unique to guitar, lots of instruments can play glissando's including vocals.

Double Stop - this is when a Guitarist will play two notes at the same time from within the scale.  This is used to help thicken the texture of a guitar solo.  Click here to hear an example.

The YouTube videos below are good examples of Rock n Roll songs.  Can you hear any of the features we have spoken about above?