Musical Genres

Directions: Which of the given options best represents the information in the given reading passage? Choose the appropriate number (1 - 4).

The Folk and Progressive Rock

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

EARLY MUSIC
Early Music (typically European music from periods prior to the onset of Baroque music of the seventeenth century) sounds were first used experimentally by musicians during the late 1960’s and early ‘70s. These sounds were initially used to signify or give an idea of a past time rather than to represent some point in history. Particularly, they were used as a means to express a wanting for a simpler time. This shift in music was ushered in along generational ties. This is apparent when examined in light of the British artists of the ‘60’s, particularly the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. Most, if not all of these musicians, were born in the early 1940’s and were inspired by blues music, as performed by black Americans during the 1920’s and ‘30s as well as rock-n-roll music during the 50’s. These music styles conveyed a sense of the authentic and were much different than the popular music which was favoured by most adults at the time. As the generations progressed, those who were born in the later 1940’s and early ‘50’s began to feel a need to draw on musical styles which were unique to their own cultural identity. These desires resulted in formation of the genres Folk Rock and Progressive Rock. At the intersection of these two genres, we find an interest to express the past musically through the use of old tunes and melodies and old instruments such as the harpsichord, lute and recorder.
A good example would be Simon & Garfunkel’s “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” which was an early joining of Early Music and Folk music. The track combined an English folk song with an original song written by Paul Simon. When heard in conjunction with Scarborough Fair’s modal tune and antique lyrics, the harpsichord on this track seems to evoke a non-specific past for listeners. Some years later, the British folk-singer Shirley Collins and her sister Dolly, produced a more explicitly, clearly intended crossover for their then current album. Shunning the usual standard of accompaniment of guitar or banjo, the Collins chose instead, to record a suit of English folk songs to an accompaniment which was arranged by Dolly who also played the portative organ in the song. The folk songs were chosen for the suite, “A Song-Story”, which comprised the entire A side of the album. The songs were arranged to describe the course of a romance. The liner notes relate the story to WWI. However, the mix of musical elements creates a sound which signals a less specific time period.

The primary purpose of this passage is to

Directions: This question is based on the following reading passage. Choose the best answer to the question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.

For a generation of suppressed, restless, working-class youths living in 1960 Jamaica, ska was a medium through which they could find expression. Since its original appearance, ska has resurfaced twice, each time presenting itself in a different guise to a new generation of music aficionados. Overcoming its humble beginnings, it has become one of the twentieth century’s most enduring and influential styles of music.
Since the early 1940's, Jamaica had adopted and adapted many forms of American musical styles. The predominantly black inhabitants of Jamaica took a liking to rhythm and blues music, importing a considerable number of American records that were showcased at dance halls in the early 1960s. Jamaican musicians took up the elements of rhythm and blues and combined it with traditional Jamaican mento music. The result was the first wave of ska.
Musically, ska is a shuffle rhythm similar to mento but with even closer ties to rhythm and blues, placing the accent on the second and fourth beats, often moving in a 12-bar blues frame. The after beat, played on the piano or strummed by a rhythm guitar, came to be characteristic of the form. A horn section, usually consisting of trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, was a vital element. Classic bands, such as the Wailers wrote songs written about Trench Town (a ghetto), rude boys (street thugs), romance, and even religious themes. In 1965, ska began to take a backseat to a newly evolved type of music, called rock steady, which was more dependent than ska had been on rhythm provided by the bass guitar and drums.
Ska was later exported by traveling Jamaican artists to Great Britain, where it became known as "blue beat." By the mid 1970's, early British punk bands were infusing reggae, a style of music that came from rock steady, into their music. Near the end of the decade, however, there was a resurgence of the influence of ska because of its upbeat, danceable rhythm. This faster paced ska came to be known as two tone. One of the essential messages of two-tone ska was the promotion of racial harmony and of having fun in the face of subjugation.
The third wave of ska began in America around 1990. Bands influenced by the two-tone ska scene began to use punk and metal music to a greater extent. The combination, which is much faster than two tone, sounds very different from the original Jamaican brand of ska.
In its three different waves, ska has given voice to seemingly voiceless, downtrodden generations. Each time it resurfaces, a new message is taken up, however, the old messages are never forgotten.

According to the passage, Ska music has

Directions: This question is based on the following reading passage. Choose the best answer to the question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.

For a generation of suppressed, restless, working-class youths living in 1960 Jamaica, ska was a medium through which they could find expression. Since its original appearance, ska has resurfaced twice, each time presenting itself in a different guise to a new generation of music aficionados. Overcoming its humble beginnings, it has become one of the twentieth century’s most enduring and influential styles of music.
Since the early 1940's, Jamaica had adopted and adapted many forms of American musical styles. The predominantly black inhabitants of Jamaica took a liking to rhythm and blues music, importing a considerable number of American records that were showcased at dance halls in the early 1960s. Jamaican musicians took up the elements of rhythm and blues and combined it with traditional Jamaican mento music. The result was the first wave of ska.
Musically, ska is a shuffle rhythm similar to mento but with even closer ties to rhythm and blues, placing the accent on the second and fourth beats, often moving in a 12-bar blues frame. The after beat, played on the piano or strummed by a rhythm guitar, came to be characteristic of the form. A horn section, usually consisting of trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, was a vital element. Classic bands, such as the Wailers wrote songs written about Trench Town (a ghetto), rude boys (street thugs), romance, and even religious themes. In 1965, ska began to take a backseat to a newly evolved type of music, called rock steady, which was more dependent than ska had been on rhythm provided by the bass guitar and drums.
Ska was later exported by traveling Jamaican artists to Great Britain, where it became known as "blue beat." By the mid 1970's, early British punk bands were infusing reggae, a style of music that came from rock steady, into their music. Near the end of the decade, however, there was a resurgence of the influence of ska because of its upbeat, danceable rhythm. This faster paced ska came to be known as two tone. One of the essential messages of two-tone ska was the promotion of racial harmony and of having fun in the face of subjugation.
The third wave of ska began in America around 1990. Bands influenced by the two-tone ska scene began to use punk and metal music to a greater extent. The combination, which is much faster than two tone, sounds very different from the original Jamaican brand of ska.
In its three different waves, ska has given voice to seemingly voiceless, downtrodden generations. Each time it resurfaces, a new message is taken up, however, the old messages are never forgotten.

Which of the following statements about ska music is supported by information in the passage?

Directions: This question is based on the following reading passage. Choose the best answer to the question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.

For a generation of suppressed, restless, working-class youths living in 1960 Jamaica, ska was a medium through which they could find expression. Since its original appearance, ska has resurfaced twice, each time presenting itself in a different guise to a new generation of music aficionados. Overcoming its humble beginnings, it has become one of the twentieth century’s most enduring and influential styles of music.
Since the early 1940's, Jamaica had adopted and adapted many forms of American musical styles. The predominantly black inhabitants of Jamaica took a liking to rhythm and blues music, importing a considerable number of American records that were showcased at dance halls in the early 1960s. Jamaican musicians took up the elements of rhythm and blues and combined it with traditional Jamaican mento music. The result was the first wave of ska.
Musically, ska is a shuffle rhythm similar to mento but with even closer ties to rhythm and blues, placing the accent on the second and fourth beats, often moving in a 12-bar blues frame. The after beat, played on the piano or strummed by a rhythm guitar, came to be characteristic of the form. A horn section, usually consisting of trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, was a vital element. Classic bands, such as the Wailers wrote songs written about Trench Town (a ghetto), rude boys (street thugs), romance, and even religious themes. In 1965, ska began to take a backseat to a newly evolved type of music, called rock steady, which was more dependent than ska had been on rhythm provided by the bass guitar and drums.
Ska was later exported by traveling Jamaican artists to Great Britain, where it became known as "blue beat." By the mid 1970's, early British punk bands were infusing reggae, a style of music that came from rock steady, into their music. Near the end of the decade, however, there was a resurgence of the influence of ska because of its upbeat, danceable rhythm. This faster paced ska came to be known as two tone. One of the essential messages of two-tone ska was the promotion of racial harmony and of having fun in the face of subjugation.
The third wave of ska began in America around 1990. Bands influenced by the two-tone ska scene began to use punk and metal music to a greater extent. The combination, which is much faster than two tone, sounds very different from the original Jamaican brand of ska.
In its three different waves, ska has given voice to seemingly voiceless, downtrodden generations. Each time it resurfaces, a new message is taken up, however, the old messages are never forgotten.

The passage suggests that two tone music I. resurged near the end of the 1970s II. influenced bands in America in the 1990s III. promoted of racial harmony and of having fun in the face of oppression

Directions: This question is based on the following reading passage. Choose the best answer to the question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.

For a generation of suppressed, restless, working-class youths living in 1960 Jamaica, ska was a medium through which they could find expression. Since its original appearance, ska has resurfaced twice, each time presenting itself in a different guise to a new generation of music aficionados. Overcoming its humble beginnings, it has become one of the twentieth century’s most enduring and influential styles of music.
Since the early 1940's, Jamaica had adopted and adapted many forms of American musical styles. The predominantly black inhabitants of Jamaica took a liking to rhythm and blues music, importing a considerable number of American records that were showcased at dance halls in the early 1960s. Jamaican musicians took up the elements of rhythm and blues and combined it with traditional Jamaican mento music. The result was the first wave of ska.
Musically, ska is a shuffle rhythm similar to mento but with even closer ties to rhythm and blues, placing the accent on the second and fourth beats, often moving in a 12-bar blues frame. The after beat, played on the piano or strummed by a rhythm guitar, came to be characteristic of the form. A horn section, usually consisting of trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, was a vital element. Classic bands, such as the Wailers wrote songs written about Trench Town (a ghetto), rude boys (street thugs), romance, and even religious themes. In 1965, ska began to take a backseat to a newly evolved type of music, called rock steady, which was more dependent than ska had been on rhythm provided by the bass guitar and drums.
Ska was later exported by traveling Jamaican artists to Great Britain, where it became known as "blue beat." By the mid 1970's, early British punk bands were infusing reggae, a style of music that came from rock steady, into their music. Near the end of the decade, however, there was a resurgence of the influence of ska because of its upbeat, danceable rhythm. This faster paced ska came to be known as two tone. One of the essential messages of two-tone ska was the promotion of racial harmony and of having fun in the face of subjugation.
The third wave of ska began in America around 1990. Bands influenced by the two-tone ska scene began to use punk and metal music to a greater extent. The combination, which is much faster than two tone, sounds very different from the original Jamaican brand of ska.
In its three different waves, ska has given voice to seemingly voiceless, downtrodden generations. Each time it resurfaces, a new message is taken up, however, the old messages are never forgotten.

Queen falls under which of the following categories of rock?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.
 
The origins of rock 'n' roll are as foggy as the genre is popular. What I can offer you is this: the term was coined in 1955 by Alan Freed, a disc jockey from Ohio. The oldest form of rock 'n' roll (1950s) was a mixture of R&B, country and rockabilly (it was just called hillbilly music back then), only it was faster, louder and 'dangerous'. The man at the forefront of this genre was (and still is) Elvis Presley, followed by personalities like Chuck Berry and Little Richard. The rock scene in the 50s was more about shock value, which included fashion statements, sexually-oriented lyrics and dance moves catering to a young audience in particular.

That was as short an introduction to the genre as one can make. What followed were generations of largely American and European artists, each influenced by their predecessors, trying to make something better. Whether that was through clothes, the rhythm or harnessing and even catalyzing political agenda, rock music was, is and will be, all about shocking the current generation.

The one great push for music into the whole rock band scene was arguably done by The Yardbirds. The band includes the three guitarists that helped shape rock music - Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton. Each member contributed heavily to the band as well as creating entire separate realms of rock, namely the band Led Zeppelin that was founded by Jimmy Page.

All in all, rock can be largely sub-categorised into the following types or styles. Bear in mind that they are more of less styles of rock rather than completely different genres, and that an artist or a band can be found in more than one style, like Led Zeppelin can be found under hard rock, psychedelic rock and folk rock. Queen falls under progressive rock and glam rock.

Who was/were considered responsible for pushing music into the band scene?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.
 
The origins of rock 'n' roll are as foggy as the genre is popular. What I can offer you is this: the term was coined in 1955 by Alan Freed, a disc jockey from Ohio. The oldest form of rock 'n' roll (1950s) was a mixture of R&B, country and rockabilly (it was just called hillbilly music back then), only it was faster, louder and 'dangerous'. The man at the forefront of this genre was (and still is) Elvis Presley, followed by personalities like Chuck Berry and Little Richard. The rock scene in the 50s was more about shock value, which included fashion statements, sexually-oriented lyrics and dance moves catering to a young audience in particular.

That was as short an introduction to the genre as one can make. What followed were generations of largely American and European artists, each influenced by their predecessors, trying to make something better. Whether that was through clothes, the rhythm or harnessing and even catalyzing political agenda, rock music was, is and will be, all about shocking the current generation.

The one great push for music into the whole rock band scene was arguably done by The Yardbirds. The band includes the three guitarists that helped shape rock music - Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton. Each member contributed heavily to the band as well as creating entire separate realms of rock, namely the band Led Zeppelin that was founded by Jimmy Page.

All in all, rock can be largely sub-categorised into the following types or styles. Bear in mind that they are more of less styles of rock rather than completely different genres, and that an artist or a band can be found in more than one style, like Led Zeppelin can be found under hard rock, psychedelic rock and folk rock. Queen falls under progressive rock and glam rock.

Who was the man at the forefront of this genre?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.
 
The origins of rock 'n' roll are as foggy as the genre is popular. What I can offer you is this: the term was coined in 1955 by Alan Freed, a disc jockey from Ohio. The oldest form of rock 'n' roll (1950s) was a mixture of R&B, country and rockabilly (it was just called hillbilly music back then), only it was faster, louder and 'dangerous'. The man at the forefront of this genre was (and still is) Elvis Presley, followed by personalities like Chuck Berry and Little Richard. The rock scene in the 50s was more about shock value, which included fashion statements, sexually-oriented lyrics and dance moves catering to a young audience in particular.

That was as short an introduction to the genre as one can make. What followed were generations of largely American and European artists, each influenced by their predecessors, trying to make something better. Whether that was through clothes, the rhythm or harnessing and even catalyzing political agenda, rock music was, is and will be, all about shocking the current generation.

The one great push for music into the whole rock band scene was arguably done by The Yardbirds. The band includes the three guitarists that helped shape rock music - Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton. Each member contributed heavily to the band as well as creating entire separate realms of rock, namely the band Led Zeppelin that was founded by Jimmy Page.

All in all, rock can be largely sub-categorised into the following types or styles. Bear in mind that they are more of less styles of rock rather than completely different genres, and that an artist or a band can be found in more than one style, like Led Zeppelin can be found under hard rock, psychedelic rock and folk rock. Queen falls under progressive rock and glam rock.