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Rock N Roll Research Paper

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Rock’-n’-roll is constantly changing and evolving into specific sub-genres. Sub-genres break down a general genre of music into a more specific and sophisticated type of that category. For example, rock has many different branches including soft rock, southern rock, and hard rock. Rock in general typically has a lead electric guitar with a vigorous 4/4 beat produced by the drums. However, in the sub-genre of southern rock, a southern country rhythm is combined with a touch of rock and roll. Hard rock separates itself by sustaining a loud, powerful, voluminous sound, whereas soft rock maintains a slower and smoother rhythm while still possessing the rock tone. Each sub-genre contributes their own uniqueness while also preserving rock characteristics …show more content…

These diverse sub-genres are increasing rock’s popularity in society, pleasing everyone’s own interest in music. The subtle differences and the variety of soft rock, southern rock, and hard rock, allow a larger assortment of people to enjoy rock as a whole.
Soft rock is classified in the rock genre, however, it has a much more melodic sound than that of a hard or metal rock and puts more emphasis on the lyrics instead of the beat. Rather than a forceful and rough beat like the more prominent style of rock, soft rock tends to come across the listener in a smoother and more fluid tone. The themes of soft rock also greatly differ from everyday rock-’n’-roll. Most soft rock artists tend to lean towards the very popular subject of love. The pioneers of the music industry that fall under the sub-genre of soft rock include, Elton John, Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac, and even some songs …show more content…

This sub-genre originated in the southern United States from the inclusive rock genre. Southern rock has a very strong lead beat that focuses mainly on vocals and the electric guitar. Just like country music, southern rock tells a story and that is what makes the lyrics and vocals so important. Southern rock is a lot like country music as a whole, but separates itself by being louder, adding a heavier beat, and speeding up the song. Southern rock maintains a rock aspect by its amplified electric guitar lead and continues to carry a solid beat. Southern rock started to develop in the mid-1960’s and began to hit its peak in the 1970’s. The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Outlaws, The Marshall Tucker Band, and ZZ Top were a few of the great early bands in southern rock. Southern rock is still a popular genre including Kid Rock, Shakey Graves, Drive-By Tuckers, and Blackberry Smoke. Atlanta Rhythm Section, a very popular southern rock band, is known for one of their most popular songs, Homesick, released in 1981. This song is categorized as southern rock due to its hard driven beat and the lead electric guitar feature. This song begins with an electric solo that supports the classification of rock, but then begins to add riffs to compliment the electric guitar solo with a touch of the south. Throughout the song, the lyrics contribute to the anthem’s southern side by

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