Rnb Genre Presentation PDF

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Genre Presentation on RnB, the history, influences, geographical locations, social undertones, equipment used, recording techniques and important studios and venues.

Rhythm and Blues is a popular music genre combining jazz, gospel, and blues influences, first performed by African Americ...

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What is RnB? SANDY: Rhythm and Blues is a popular music genre combining jazz, gospel, and blues influences, first performed by African American artists that originated in the 1940s. Modern contemporary R&B has now turned into Rhythm and Bass. Writer/producer Robert Palmer defines "rhythm & blues as a catchall term referring to any music that was made by and for black Americans." He has used the term R&B as a synonym for jump blues. The term was originally used by record companies to recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz-based music with a heavy, insistent beat" was becoming more popular 1) Outline the era and longevity of the musical style. Provide dates MURRAY: -RnB originated in the 1940s after World War II. -In the early 1950s it was frequently applied to blues records. -Starting in the mid-1950s, after this style of music contributed to the development of rock and roll, -Then, the term "R&B" became used to refer to music styles that developed from and incorporated electric blues, as well as gospel and soul music. -By the 1970s, rhythm and blues was used as a blanket term for soul and funk. -In the 1980s, a newer style of R&B developed, becoming known as "Contemporary R&B". It combines elements of rhythm and blues, soul, funk, pop, hip hop and dance. Popular R&B vocalists towards the early twenty first century include Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey -Well into the 21st Century, R&B continues in use to categorize music made by black musicians, as distinct from the styles of music made by other musicians 2) Outline important and influential artists. Provide names and dates, brief history and music examples JAK: Michael Jackson (1958-2009) – was the frontman of chart-topping family group ‘The Jackson 5’, and is known as one of the most influential artists of all time. His most famous RnB songs are ‘Thriller’ and ‘Beat It’ from the album Thriller, and ‘Bad’ in 1987 from the album Bad.

Stevie Wonder (born in 1950) – Stevie Wonder, another extremely influential and successful RnB artist, has written songs such as ‘Superstition’ and ‘You Are the Sunshine of My Life’. He was considered a child genius and was the youngest artist to ever top a chart at 13 years of age. He has worked with other influential RnB artists like Smokey Robinson, as well as touring with the Rolling Stones in the 70’s. R.Kelly (born 1967) – R Kelly is a successful recording artist, songwriter, and record producer. Often referred to as “The King of RnB”, he began performing in the 1980’s and still continues today. He has written such chart-topping songs as “Bump ‘n’ Grind” in 1993, “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Ignition”. He was influenced by RnB artists such as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Prince - Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016) , also known as one of the of the most influential artists of all time, selling over 100 million records worldwide also makes him on of the best-selling artists of all time. He had written several successful RnB songs including “Purple Rain” and “When the Doves Cry” from the album Purple Rain (1984), and “Nothing Compares to You” (1993). Whitney Houston - (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) Whitney Houston is one of the best-selling artists of all time, with an estimated 170–200 million records sold worldwide, she also holds the World Record for most awarded female act of all time. Her best-selling songs include a cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” in 1992, and "Exhale (Schoop Schoop)" and “Count On Me” from the album “Waiting to Exhale” in 1995, and “Celebrate”, written in 2012 by R Kelly. 2) Outline important and influential recordings. Provide dates and recorded music examples MURRAY: "What's Going On?" by Marvin Gaye (1971) In this politically-charged song by one of the most famous male soul singers ever, "What's Going On?", Gaye questions the futility of war and aggression and discusses police brutality in America: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fETIjVvv1Ds 

"Respect" by Aretha Franklin (1967) Aretha Franklin was already known as the "Queen of Soul" when she appeared on the cover of TIME magazine in May 1968. "Respect" was written and originally recorded by Otis Redding in 1965. When Franklin's song reached the top of the music charts in 1967, Redding playfully described her version as "that little girl done stole from me." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FOUqQt3Kg0]

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“Igntion (remix)” R Kelly (2002)

Ignition is viewed as one of R Kelly’s most well-known songs and has been popular in the United States, Europe and Oceania. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6y_4_b6RS8  “Coffee” – Miguel (2015) Miguel is a modern American RnB artist, in his song “Coffee” we see a good example of the lyrical content which is mainly covered in modern RnB songs. Miguel incorporates R&B, funk, hip hop, rock and electronic styles into his music, and has been compared to vocalists Babyface and Prince. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z55sZ2oVY4

4) Discuss social undertones surrounding the music SANDY: The term RNB was firstly used by record companies to describe the Urban sound, in fact before Rhythm and Blues was quoted as what it is today, as Murray mentioned before- it was once called ‘race music’, which offended many as it brought cultural and racial issues up, and focused more on the colour of skin than on the sound of the genre. Rhythm and Blues music, rose in popularity in the late 1940s after World War II. R&B replaced the term “race music” as a less offensive marketing term to describe this genre of music, which was originally created solely for African American audiences. Originally, R&B was a combination of jazz, gospel, and blues, focusing on “boogie” rythms, with famous artists like Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry. However, Modern R&B has now turned into Rhythm and Bass. JAK: As decades passed, R&B became known as soul music! It also defeated race boundaries: people who were not African American began making and listening to R&B music, for example contemporary R&B artists like Robin Thicke and Justin Timberlake When it came down to their dress style or fashion, a lot of RnB bands such as the Fatback Band- dressed in suits and uniforms, a practice associated with the modern popular music that RnB performers aspired to dominate, For example, contemporary modern RnB vocal group such as Boyz II Men. Most RnB bands such as The Brothers Johnson mixed their style with a Funky style by wearing shiny, glittery, or colourful costumes and suits! 5) Discuss important geographical locations MURRAY: The Geography of RnB Major industry centres such as New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago and New Orleans was where all of RnB started, as African American’s moved from rural areas into the city for the well-paid jobs created by World War II.

In fact, it didn’t start in a specific city; it more started because of the people that migrated there, their experiences and their musical tastes (such as blues, jazz etc). 6) Outline equipment used, recording techniques and important Studios and venues JAK: Equipment Used: Electric Guitars, Double Bass/ Bass Guitar, Drum kits, Brass instruments, horns etc Traditional R&B music mainly used brass instruments and woodwinds, drums, piano, and vocals. These were also the instruments commonly used in jazz bands; however R&B used steady beats that produced a heavier sound which included steady rhythms and numerous instruments, with catchy and interesting arrangements and musical styles that were meant to encourage dancing. In a recording studio there are lots of different types of equipment used. Such as: Microphones, Drum kits, Piano and many more. Like the equipment inside a studio there are also a lot to do behind the scenes in the control booth. Equipment used in a control booth can include, a sound desk, pre amps to add FX to the instrument, Monitors and also a program to record on like Pro Tools or Logic. Recording Techniques SANDY: When it comes to producing an RnB Track, there are many recording techniques involved. One of the techniques include the vocal effects used in the voice on the songs and also mixing the background vocals. Autotune is one of the vocal recording techniques used in programs such as “Logic Pro, and Pro tools’ etc where you can use reverb, and other mixing techniques during the recording process. For example, T-Pain There are also microphone techniques used, where sounds sound different depending on the certain angle of the microphone. Another technique that RnB uses in their recording process, has been extracted from other genres, such as ‘Blues”. This technique is used for vocals and guitar etc. Important Studios and Venues MURRAY -Atlantic Records earned a reputation as one of the most important American recording labels, specializing in jazz, R&B and soul recordings by African-American musicians including Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, Sam and Dave, Ruth Brown and Otis Redding, a

position greatly enhanced by its distribution deal with Stax Records. Epic Records was founded in 1953, and is one of Sony Music Entertainment's three main record labels. Epic Records, is an American Record Company, which was founded predominantly as a Jazz and Classical music label in 1953. It later expanded its scope to include diverse musical genres such as R&B, pop, rock and hip-hop. Musicians including Mariah Carey, Pearl Jam, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Jackson and more. 7) Discuss lyrical content SANDY: In the 1920’s and 30’s the migration of African Americans to industrial cities like New York and Los Angeles for high paying wartime employment opportunities created a new market for jazz and blues. RnB was originally called “race music” and was predominantly only performed to or listened to by African Americans. It evolved from folk songs and as such the lyrics were mainly based on the working class, racial issues, the quest for freedom, relationships, and sex. As mentioned earlier on, the lyrics of R&B songs focused on things such as racial issues and segregation, love, relationships, and dancing. During the fifties, the lyrics of R&B music became very sexually aggressive, and R&B music became associated with provocative dancing. Artists like Muddy Waters exemplified this in songs like “I Just Want To Make Love To You.” 8) Discuss important musical structure and arrangement ideas. Provide music examples JAK: When creating an RnB tune it is common to focus on the lyrics rather than the music because the musical arrangement is usually quite repetitive. The structure of an RnB tune is very similar to that of Hip Hop. However, there is usually a bridge in place of the 3 rd verse in RnB as well as a pre chorus in some songs. RnB songs occasionally begin with the verse as opposed to the hook, but the majority still do use the hook as the intro. Most tunes usually have a different structure with such as Verse-Chorus-Verse or Verse-ChorusBridge-Chorus-Bridge, etc. The length of the verse or chorus, however, does not change. Say the tempo was 60-70 bpm, a verse would traditionally be either an 8 bar verse or 12 bar verse, but if it was a mid-tempo RnB tune, 80100 bpm, then a 16 bar verse is usually used. This is followed by many artists like, NE-YO’s Coming With You, which follows the 16 bar verse structure. With RnB mostly focusing on lyrics it is really important that the structure and lyrics overpower the music behind it. However, it is also important to make sure that the music is still catchy and not boring behind the lyrics. That’s where the arrangement comes into it.

MURRAY RnB focuses a lot on coming up with a central idea and then looping that instrument to then make the backing track to the song. More importantly a catchy hook should developed to make the song remembered by the listener. If the lyrics are not remembered at least the hook will be remembered and upon hearing this hook the song will come back into the minds of the listener. The great thing about RnB music is the repetitive instrumentation really drills the song into the minds of the listener and is therefore remembered easier. This is why RnB is classified by a lot of listeners as “Easy Listening” due to the repetitive nature of the music and the singing and lyrics come through easier and remembered easier as there is less to focus on throughout the duration of the song. 9) Analyse and outline typical and common harmony techniques used. SANDY The arrangements of RnB songs are very well rehearsed – and the music usually followed predictable patterns of chords. Chord types that are commonly used are Major and Minor 7th chords, as well as 9th chords, very similar to that used in blues, and vocalists in RnB mainly sing in close harmony, where the notes are usually no more than an octave apart. For example, the sad sounding piano throughout Marques Houston's Circle is a great example of chords/scales used in R&B, which is mostly just minor chords and variations built around 7th chords, which gives the “R&B” sound. One of the main differences between jazz and R&B is the locking together of the drums and bass into a tight rhythm feel (as opposed to Jazz where the bass is often loose) 10) Discuss the development of sub-genres and future progression of the genre. JAK:  Contemporary R&B has a polished record production style, drum machine-backed rhythms, an occasional saxophone-laced beat to give a jazz feel (mostly common in contemporary R&B songs prior to the year 1995) and a smooth, lush style of vocal arrangement. 

-Quiet storm music is distinguished by understated, mellow dynamics and relaxed tempos and rhythms. Quiet storm music is similar to soft rock styles, but it is more closely and unmistakably rooted in R&B and soul music, often with jazz extensions

SANDY:  -Funk is a Rhythmic new form of music through a mixture of R&B, soul, and jazz music. Funk deemphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground. 

Doo-wop is iconic for it’s swing-like beats and using the off-beat to keep time. Doo-wop laid the foundation for many musical innovations, for example, R&B

Future progression of the genre MURRAY Back in the day, the ‘R&B’ tag might conjure up images of slick, shiny beats, choreographed dance routines and perfectly shaped vocal runs. Even further back in the day, the genre applied to the soul-smattered grooves of Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, and even further back, the label was attached to the jazz-based, African American blues musicians of the 40s, 50s and 60s. These days, of course, that definition has mutated, saturated and become something else entirely. As we know, R&B doesn’t have to be generated in the studio, but in the bedroom too, and it often exists separately to pop’s polished landscape. Future R&B is the genre’s most recent and progressive survival tactic. The new-world possibilities of R&B performed by artists such as The Weeknd, Drake, Frank Ocean and Miguel has changed the RnB Genre. Since 2012, ensuring the survival of R&B has been a charge placed firmly in hands of emerging female artists such as Tink, Tinashe and FKA Twig. It is going to be a genre open to sparse, minimal beats, dark industrial instrumentals, spoken word, rap, and of course, a whole lot of the electronic synth. It’s fair to say the R&B of the early nighties just got a whole more abrasive and a whole lot more modern....