MUSC 309 The History of Rock and Roll

Summer 2009

Instructor: Prof. Roberta Freund Schwartz

Office: 434 Murphy Hall

Office hours: Daily 11:45-12:45, or by appointment

Phone: (Home) 979-9440

(Office) (86)4-9737

E-mail:

Course website:

This course is designed to:

teach the history of rock and roll as a musical genre

familiarize students with the major styles of rock music and the elements that define those

styles

develop active listening skills and the ability to discuss rock music intelligently

No prior familiarity with music is necessary or assumed. We will begin with an introduction to listening and musical fundamentals, and gradually develop a vocabulary with which to discuss and experience selected works from the history of rock and roll.

Reading assignments may be assigned prior to class sessions, and a summary outline and listening list will be posted on the web site for each unit. Both are equally important. A list of “Terms to Remember” will also be provided. I suggest that you write out a definition for each term; this will be of great help in preparing for exams!

When you access the listening page for each chapter, you will be asked for a user name and password. DO NOT enter your KU ID and password (it won’t work!); rather, enter the following:

User name: daddyo

Password: daddyo

Most of the examples are in the Real Media format. You may need to download a player to listen to these files. The Real One player will give you complete access and can be downloaded for free at

It isassumed that you will listen to the pieces for each unit and complete any assigned readings before the class period in which they are discussed. Both are equally important. The readings will provide background for lectures; the listening examples will prepare you for more targeted engagement and will help develop your ability to “actively listen.”

The study of music, especially for the newly initiated, may be more difficult than your expect. You will be more successful if you approach it in the same way you would a foreign language – which it is. I suggest you review definitions and concepts frequently, and ask questions immediately if you do not fully understand something.

GRADING AND ASSIGNMENTS

Exams

There will be a midterm and a final exam, each will constitute 30% of your grade. The exams will have three sections:

1) fill in the blank and/or multiple choice questions over concepts, terms and artists

discussed in lectures, discussion sections, and readings

2) aural identification of artists or styles

3)a description of a previously unheard musical example

A review sheet will be distributed several days before each exam.

Listening Logs

In order to cultivate your ability to discuss rock as music, you will be required to complete three listening logs, each worth 10% of your course grade. For each, you will choose a listening list from the class website. Listen to the pieces and write a paragraph that describes (to the best of your ability) the selection, using in proper musical terminology. You should address:

  • instrumentation
  • texture
  • form
  • stylistic influences on the song (at least 2)
  • tempo OR dynamics
  • whether a backbeat is present or not
  • two other characteristics – you might also mention whether call and response or stop-time is employed; if a riff is an important part of the song; whether there is syncopation, any effects applied to the instruments (fuzz tone, reverb, etc.); or other similar

Each entry will be worth 10 points; if you complete each and make a sincere attempt to address the characteristics listed above using the terms we’ve discussed in class, you will do fine. Don’t be afraid to say “I think” or “maybe” if you aren’t sure about any given characteristic - I much prefer this to just skipping it. Below is an example of an entry that would receive 10 points:

“When the Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin includes lead electric guitar, bass, drums, harmonica, and a singer. The texture is very dense, it sounds almost muddy; there is a lot of reverb, especially on the harmonica. A lot of amplification is involved as well – the dynamic level is quite loud. There is obvious blues influence here – the form is 12-bar blues, with aab lyrics, but there is no backbeat. There is an intro (by the harmonica) and outro, as well as a couple of instrumental interludes for harmonica and guitar. Maybe some influence from Jimi Hendrix as well? I really like the howling harmonica and the call and response effect between the vocalist and guitar.”

Your logs can be typed or hand-written, but please do staple all pages together and identify yourself. The logs will be evaluated and returned, with comments, as soon as possible.

Attendance and Participation

Attendance and participation will constitute 10% of your final grade. The attendance policy of the university, as stipulated in the Undergraduate Catalogue, is as follows:

“There is no system of permissible absences in any of the schools at KU. Students are expected to attend all meetings of their classes. However, students may be exempt from required class activities at times of mandated religious observances.”

You will be allowed to miss one class period without penalty; each successive absence that is unexcused will result in 10 points being deducted from your attendance score. Your class participation is expected as well; this will include short tasks to be completed before the next period, discussions, listening exercises, and other similar ventures.

The course grade will be determined as follows:

Exam I:300 points

Exam II:300 points

Listening Logs:300 points

Attendance and participation:100 points

TOTAL: 1000 points

You will be given an opportunity to write up to 3 concert reports or film reviews for extra credit, each worth up to 2% of your final grade.

Grades will be calculated as follows:

1000-920A919-900A-

899-880B+879-820B819-800B-

799-780C+779-720C719-700C-

699-680D+679-620D619-600D-

599 or below F

If at any time you have questions regarding any course material, assignments, or grading, please ask them!

Syllabus

6/9Musical elements of rock; listening to rock style and form

6/10The roots of rock: early sources, ragtime, and the blues

Reading: pp. 1-21 (review of 6/9 lecture); 23-34

6/11Roots of rock: jazz , Tin Pan Alley, countryand the “Latin tinge”

Reading: pp. 32-48

6/12Roots of rock: Gospel, doo-wop, and R&B

Reading: pp. 59-78

6/15Rock 'n roll: the beginning

Reading: pp. 49-54, 79-95

6/16Reactions to rock ‘n’ roll and the Brill Building sound

Reading: pp. 54-56; 90-108

First Listening Log Due

6/17Surf music, garage rock, and Sixties soul

Reading: pp. 56-58; 108-127

6/18Sixties soul: Motown and Stax

Reading: pp. 127-141

6/19EXAM I; James Brown and New Orleans R&B

6/22The Beatles

Reading: pp. 150-166

6/23The British invasion and blues rock

Reading: pp. 143-150; 167-186

6/24Acid rock and the San Francisco sound

Reading: pp. 201-214

6/26Rock as Art

Reading: pp. 187-200

Second listening logs due

6/29Hard rock and heavy metal; reggae and Latin rock

Reading: pp. 215-225; 235-246

6/30Soul in the 70s; funk and disco

Reading: pp. 265-283; 317-326

7/1Singer songwriters; Mainstream rock in the 70s

Reading: pp. 295-306

Third listening logs due

Last day to turn in concert reports

7/2Punk, new wave, and the 1980

Reading: pp. 307-316; 328-337

7/3EXAM II

Concert reports

It is hoped that you will not only seek out new music for your listening logs, but will also attend live rock shows. There are dozens of concerts on campus and around town each month; see the listings in the Pitch; Lawrence.com, and Lawrence Journal-World. To encourage you, you may write up a concert review on live concerts you attend for extra credit.

Download a copy of the review form from the class website. Then, choose a concert. If you are under 21 and the venue serves alcohol, make sure that they allow underage attendees (most do, but some don’t). You may wish to have a small pad of paper with you so that you can jot down some notes during the performance.

After the concert, fill out the review form (neatly would be greatly appreciated) using proper English and correct musical terminology. Use your notes and your textbook for background information and to check on terms and their proper usage. If it is more convenient for you to recopy the questions onto another piece of paper, please feel free to do so.

As concerts do cost money and it can sometimes be difficult to see live music in Lawrence if you aren’t 21, you also have the option of reporting on a concert film. As your review is a substitute for attending a concert, your choice must be wholly, or mostly, live performance footage. Movies that are about rock acts (fictional or real), have primarily rock soundtracks, have rock singers in the cast, or are documentaries about rock acts (unless they contain mostly concert footage) are NOT acceptable.

You may turn in concert reports at any time during the semester, prior to July 3.