A Comparative Analyusis of Different Music Styles

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29th November 2012.

A comparative analysis of two different popular music styles: rhythm & blues vs. rock & roll.

Introduction

Music has been a source of expression of feelings since ancient times. People used to play different types of musical instruments and sing songs of different kinds to express their feelings and emotional states. Music is a multidimensional phenomenon that is common in almost all cultures. All the global cultures have some form of music which is specific to their cultural values and norms.

RHYTHM & BLUES VS. ROCK & ROLL MUSIC

Rhythm and blues was considered strictly the music of blacks related to their cultural heritage. Rhythm & blues is a term that was used to refer to the during and post-war music of African-Americans. It began in early 1940’s. it was the term that was used a synonym for black rock & roll in early in early and mid-1950’s by Jerry Wexler, a reporter for Billboard magazine. The sociological, industrial and technological changes that took place due to World War II, mark the origin of Rhythm & blues in U.S. (Handyside). It was influenced by blues, Jump blues, gospel and jazz (Handyside). Rhythm and blues also referred to as R&B influenced enormously on the popular music forms in late 20th century. It was influenced by blues, Jump blues, gospel and jazz (Handyside).It is known particularly for the vocal Genre which includes a single singer singing along with a small group playing piano, guitar, acoustic bass, drums and tenor Sexaphone (Machilis & Forney). The singer who sings in rhythm & blues has very strong vocals.The style of R&B is soulful and it uses downbeat as it originated from a sense of maturity and feeling towards the experiences of life. R& B incorporated in its style electric blues, gospel and soul music.

The development of R&B in Britian took place in early 1960’s. They produced music different in tone from the...