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.
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.
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.