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 |
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