SOUL

Late 1950s to mid 1970s

by Tom Munno

INSTRUMENTATION -Instruments include:

-Rhythm Section - Drums; Bass; Percussion; Electric Guitar; Piano;
Electric Piano; Electric Organ (e.g - Hammond Organ).

-Horn Section - Trumpets; Saxes;

Trombone.

-String Section. -Vocals and Backing Vocals (male and female).

(Instruments such as guitars sometimes doubled up).

KEY FEATURES -Driving rhythym.

-Drums and percussion giving steady backbeat on beats 2 and 4. -Rhythmic, riff-based bass lines. -Rhythmic chordal parts on piano and/or guitar. -120 bpm or faster. -(Some slower tempo ballads).

-Emotional vocal delivery.

-Forceful and high energy, or sad and passionate. -Lead vocals shared between different singers on some songs. -Ensemble backing vocals.

-Vocal and instrumental hooks used extensively. -Melodies often make use of pentatonic scales.
-Additional blue notes added.

KEY FEATURES -Simple Structure.

-Short. -Verse/Chorus form. -Use of call and response.

-Multitrack tape machines started to be used. -Four track, then eight track.

TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTION

-Close mics used on most instruments. - Close mic drum recording techniques used. - Use of DI for guitars and basses. - Live recordings of bands in a single room,
with acoustic screens to provide separation. - Vocals overdubbed. - High quality mics, some still in use today.

-Echo chambers used.

TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTION

-Plate reverb also used. -A reverb plate (a thin sheet of metal), in which sound is sent into,
and then picked up again using contact mics.

-Compressors also used. -High quality recordings. -Clear vocals. -Full-range frequency reproduction.

-Extreme panning used.

-Electronic instruments used. -e.g - Hammond Organ; Fender Rhodes Electric Piano. -However, focus was on the natural sound of the instruments.

KEY FACTS -The soundtrack of the 1960s.

-Started late 1950s, remained popular till mid 70s.

-It originated from southern USA.

-Hence, mainly produced by African Americans.

-Big labels include: Motown; Atlantic; Stax.

-Huge worldwide commercial success and

popularity.

-Influenced by:
-R&B; Gospel; Jazz Singers; Psychedelic Rock (late 1960s).

SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL INFLUENCES the time included: -Social issues at

-The black civil rights movement. -The Vietnam war. -Were both pressing issues for young Americans in the late 1960s.

-Motown Records
-Avoided social and controversial issues, in a desire to stay
commercial. -Hence many songs dealt with love, partying, or having a good time. -Artists were managed by the company (live performances were highly choreographed; artists were coached on how to speak in interviews etc.).

MAIN ARTISTS -Otis Redding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCmUhYSr-e4

-The Supremes/Diana Ross.

-The Jackson 5.

-Aretha Franklin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtBbyglq37E

-Stevie Wonder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhw_zbvxvb4

-Wilson Pickett.

THE END