GCSE Music 

Pop Ballad.

What? Slow, romantic songs that tell stories

Where? USA, UK.

Who? Beatles, Carpenters, Heart, Elton John

Tempo - Medium / slow 70 - 100bpm

Structure - Verse / chorus structure with Intro and middle 8.

Instruments - Pop / Rock Band. Lead vocals, backing vocals.

Drums, Bass, Lead / Rhythm guitar (often acoustic), Keyboards / synth,

Solo instrument eg. Saxophone. STRINGS!

How the Instruments Interact

Lead vocals are supported by the band. Backing vocals in the chorus.

Middle 8 solo. Saxophone is a common solo instrument in the Middle 8.

Ballads build slowly as instruments are added.

Venue / Location - Pop / Rock concert. Radio, CD, mp3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

AoS2 Pop Ballad - Traded Tips

Tempo - Slow.

Rhythm  - 4/4 most common. 3/4 & 6/8 possible but less likely.

Articulation - Vocal melody legato. Some rock ballads have heavy snare                                 accents on beats 2 & 4.

Dynamics - Starts quietly - often build in dynamics throughout the song.                            Chorus louder than verse.

Expression - Romantic, passionate.

Devices - Instrumental Middle 8.

 

Texture - Melody & Accompaniment.

Instruments - Drum Kit, Electric bass & Guitar. Keyboards. Strings common.                             Saxophone / Electric Guitar popular solo instruments.

Pitch - Chorus tends to be higher in pitch than the Verse.

Structure - Verse / Chorus structure with middle 8 Instrumental solo.

 

Other...Words tell a story. Love the typical subject. Elton John, Beatles, Heart,