The development of rock in the 1970s
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can create a chordal guitar riff and use a pedal note to develop a bass line.
Key learning points
- By the 1970s, rock split into various different subgenres.
- Heavy metal was a subgenre that used extreme distortion, aggressive vocals and powerful riffs.
- Rock bands often vary texture by changing the role of the guitar and its interaction with the singer.
- Many bands include both a lead guitar and a rhythm guitar which have different roles in the music.
- Riffs which use power chords are common in rock music and pedal notes are often used to create harmonic interest.
Keywords
Distortion - distortion is a ‘fuzzy’ effect that changes the amplified sound of an electric guitart; is also called overdrive
Rhythm guitar - the rhythm guitar plays accompanying parts - usually riffs and chords
Lead guitar - the lead guitar plays riffs, melodies and solos in a rock band
Power chord - a power chord is a two-note chord often used on guitars, which uses the root note and the fifth of a triad chord
Pedal - a pedal is a bass note that stays the same while the chords change above it
Common misconception
If the bass stays on the same note, this is a pedal.
This is not quite true. It is only a pedal if the bass note stays the same while the chords change above it. If the chords do not change, it cannot be a pedal.
Teacher tip
Encourage students to listen more broadly to famous heavy metal and hard rock riffs. If appropriate, they can use these as inspiration for their own riffs. Good starting points will be the bands Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple.
Equipment
DAW, MIDI keyboard
Licence
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