Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 1

Introduction

A. Background of the study

Rock n’ roll evolved from the combination of African-American genres such as blues and jazz, together with western swings such as country music. It is also known to be containing simple chromatic chords. Rock n’ roll has been a root of different sub-genres ever since its peak in popularity. It was actually made to rise up inspiration and hope when slavery began.  

On a certain article entitled, “The history of Rock n’ Roll” by Kurtni of mibba.com, the term “rock 'n' roll” actually came into being a few decades before the music. The phrase was first used in a song by Trixie Smith, titled "My Baby Rocks Me with One Steady Roll." It was slang at the time for dancing, and “roll” was used as a verb that was synonymous with sex. Rock n’ roll was once underground. It was used against racism and slavery.

She stated that, “Depending on your source, what the first rock record actually was will vary. Regardless of what the first album was, the 1950s was the decade that rock's popularity soared. Racial discrimination issues were becoming apparent in the United States more than ever during the 1950s, and rock was defying the separation. It mixed multiple cultures, and there was a strong demand for it.” (http://www.mibba.com/Articles/History/5099/The-History-of-Rock-n-Roll/).

The bad things that happened in our history became the reason why this great genre was produced. The people began doing a way to stand in a revolution by using a peaceful way.

Rock n’ roll began its popularity in late 1940s to 1950s. It began in United States and later on became prominent around United Kingdom. Later on, a lot of bands began to popularize the genre as it goes international. Rock n’ roll then began to be the epitome of what the generation needed for music. Bands such as The Beatles, The rolling Stone and Led Zeppelin lead the popularity of Rock n’ roll bands in 1960’s.

On a certain article entitled “1948 and the Birth of Rock N’ Roll music” by Gregory McNamee of Britannica.com the date Rock N’ Roll originated is a little bit unclear. People debated about this for a very long time and if one year would be considered to be the date. It’s going to be 1948. 1948 belongs to the big band and swing eras. That year saw the debut of Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King’s lovely crooner “Tennessee Waltz,” with which Eddy Cochran would score a pop hit and Patsy Cline a country-chart smash a little more than decade later. Also, the invention of phonograph helped Rock n’ roll to pave its way.

He also stated “It may seem strange that so profound a cultural influence, for better or worse, as rock and roll should have such murky origins.” (http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2008/01/1948-and-the-birth-of-rock-and-roll-music/).

The influence of Rock n’ roll is faster compared to other genres. 1940 to 1950 were the time were Rock n’ roll is actually booming.  America paves its way to introduce the great genre and people appreciated it.

Rock n' roll has been influential to a lot of people creating diverse genres. Rock n’ roll is undoubtedly very influential. Due to this, people tried to copy it by using a piece of them. Most bands and singers adoring Rock n’ roll made other genres and began making it popular also. Soon, the family tree of rock n’ roll grew bigger and bigger.

According to an article entitled “Music Categories Explained” by Tobin Meuller of macjams.com, sub genres of different genres are too hard to distinguished since most of them sounds the same and originated from the same root especially rock n’ roll. Rock n’ roll has been defined by the author as a genre has the idea of being enthusiastic, straightforward, unpretentious Rock and Roll. Some of the sub genres of rock n roll are Heavy Metal: a fast paces and heavy bated rhythms, Punk or Grunge:Back-to-basics no-frills garage rock with an edge; simpler beat and usually more repetitive than Hard Rock; often low-fidelity production popularized by Nirvana and Alternative rock: Music that breaks Rock/Folk/Experimental boundaries and becomes a unique expression of the musician; a place for hard-to-fit unique rock sounds; sometimes associated with artists that started without a label. (http://www.macjams.com/article.php?story=20040427163120889).

Rock n roll has been very influential to youth. If you try to search for the fan base of rock n’ roll, the youth often compromises it. Teenagers often feel related to rock music and they feel like they have the same experiences with the singer or the band. Because of that, they are being motivated to support the genre and the band so they can hear songs they can relate to.

In an article entitled “Rock n’ roll: Youth Culture and Division” by an unknown author of faqs.org, the union of youth culture and popular music has periodically sent shockwaves through American society ever since. Teenagers also copied the way rock people dresses. The rock trends like tattoos and piercings are also a must. The thing is, teens, are heavy influence by rock n’ roll because of the emotional attachment of the youth to songs that are straight forward, relatable yet deep. Teens reflect themselves or their behaviors through the songs. That’s why the teens supported them by buying CDs, concert tickets and singles.

The author also added “The youth market was bigger than ever.”.(http://www.faqs.org/childhood/Re-So/Rock-and-Roll.html).

Yes, teen fans back then dedicated their saving in supporting rock n’ roll that is why it is still alive today. They also passed the inheritance of the greatness of rock n’ roll to the people they know just to keep it alive.

Despite all the support and influence of the people for Rock n’ roll back then, it is so obvious in the current generation that the soul of rock n’ roll is slowly vanishing in the music and art industry. It is beginning to disappear and die.

Therefore, having background information about rock n roll will give us reasons why it has been influential for us and how it became obsolete now.

Instead of dealing with iconic people and event related to rock n’ roll, this paper will focus on explaining the reasons why Rock n’ roll is beginning to die and disappear on the present generation.

B. Statement of the Problem

This study aims to answer the question:

1. Why is Rock n’ roll is beginning to die and disappear on the present generation.

C. Significance of the Study

Students with course related to conservatory of music. This paper can help this people regarding the matter of the fall and rise of rock music. Also, this will give them knowledge and activities on how to restore the power of rock n’ roll industry.

Professors and teachers of music. These people can get ideas on how to help on restoring the vibe of rock n’ roll in which their field belong. Also, they can get ideas on what activities they can conduct for their students and what to teach them about the conservation of rock n’ roll.

Musicians. This study can help musicians to know what they need to do to maintain the industry they’re in. They can also get some information about the history of rock n’ roll and how they can contribute on the effect of the worldwide production.

Future researchers. This paper can help the future researchers who wish to get the same topic. They can also get the pros and cons that this topic has as they go through the paper.

D. Scope and Delimitations

           

This study will focus on the reasons on why Rock n’ roll industry is beginning to be forgotten on the current generation. The evolution of rock n’ roll will be accepted to heighten the proof of the problem.

Due to time constraints, the history will no longer be accepted in the study because it was discussed in the introduction. This paper will be focusing on the reasons on why rock n’ roll is dying and how to save it.

E. Materials and methods

This paper will be using more of the internet sources such as blogs, statistical views and researches. Blogs related to music will also be widely accepted for data and information. Also, self explanation from internet bloggers and researchers will be used as preference.

The data and information gathered will be filtered according to its relevance and use on the paper. Unreliable sources will not be use for further purposes. Also, biased views of netizens will not be accepted since it doesn’t have enough logical explanation to strengthen the proof on the problem presented by the paper.

F. Definition of terms

Fame. The condition of being known or talked about by many people, especially on account of notable achievements

Music. the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity.

Musician. A person who makes music a profession, especially as a performer of music.

Rock n’ roll. A form of popular music arising from and incorporating a variety of musical styles, especially rhythm and blues, country music, and gospel.