Midterm 2 Practice Quiz
- 1.
All of these features are characteristic of Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound” except:
- A.
Dense, homophonic textures
- B.
Tin Pan Alley-style orchestration
- C.
Complex, interlocking rhythms
- D.
Large amounts of reverberation ("echo" effect)
Correct Answer
C. Complex, interlocking rhythmsExplanation
Answer: C, Complex, interlocking rhythms. Specter’s reverberation effects, wide variety of instrumental timbres, and homophonic textures helped create the impression of a dense, unified block of sound coming toward the listener (hence the term “Wall of Sound”). Complex, interlocking rhythms can be found in many Motown records, where these rhythms create the impression of several distinct layers in the music.Rate this question:
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- 2.
As exemplified by “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” James Brown’s music is characterized by:
- A.
Sweeping, tuneful melodies with lush string arrangements
- B.
A repetitive, riff-based instrumental style featuring complex, interlocking polyrhythms which evidence conceptual links with African music styles
- C.
Live performances featuring meandering improvised instrumental solos, weaving together diverse genres.
- D.
Political, poetic lyrics and strophic forms with sparse, acoustic instrumentation.
Correct Answer
B. A repetitive, riff-based instrumental style featuring complex, interlocking polyrhythms which evidence conceptual links with African music stylesExplanation
Answer: B, a repetitive, riff-based instrumental style featuring complex, interlocking polyrhythms which evidence conceptual links with African music styles. Brown’s music is in fact audibly connected to the Black Power movement in his explicit emphasis on the rhythmic complexity, cyclical forms, and speech-like singing typical of African American music. Brown often downplays melodic elements, more typical of European American conventions, in his music.
Answer A is typical of Motown or Tin Pan Alley (though the genres differ in numerous ways, they share those features in common); answer C is typical of psychedelic rock; answer D is typical of urban folk.Rate this question:
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- 3.
The Beach Boys’ “Surfin USA” borrows heavily from the music of Chuck Berry, but contributes innovations with regard to:
- A.
Harmony
- B.
Form
- C.
Instrumentation
- D.
Subject matter of the lyrics
Correct Answer
D. Subject matter of the lyricsExplanation
Answer: D. The Beach Boys’ “Surfin USA” is very similar to Chuck Berry’s music, especially the song “Sweet Little Sixteen,” in its instrumentation, harmony, and form, but the Beach Boys’ lyrics associate this upbeat rock ‘n’ roll music with new themes (i.e. surfing and beach culture).Rate this question:
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- 4.
2. Which of these features is NOT typical of the early blues?
- A.
AAB lyrical form
- B.
12-bar verses with I-IV-I-V-I harmonic motion
- C.
Call-and-response between vocals and instruments
- D.
Sectional forms
Correct Answer
D. Sectional formsExplanation
Answer: D, Sectional forms. These are not typical of the early blues, but are associated with ragtime and experimental rock. Know the typical elements of the blues, as well as the differences/similarities between country blues and classic blues.Rate this question:
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- 5.
The song “Girl from Ipanema" is an example of____________, a Brazilian-based music that gained popularity in the 1960’s.
- A.
Montuno
- B.
Bossa Nova
- C.
Bugalu
- D.
Mariachi
Correct Answer
B. Bossa Nova -
- 6.
The form of the song "Maybelline" can best be described as:
- A.
12-bar blues
- B.
AABA
- C.
Verse-chorus
- D.
Both A and C
Correct Answer
D. Both A and CExplanation
Answer: D, both A and C. The verse of “Maybelline” conveys the action in Berry’s story of a car chase, over a static harmony (the lyrics change each time this section returns); the chorus features a 12-bar blues form (the lyrics of the chorus remain the same each time it is heard). This fusion of verse/chorus and 12-bar blues is a common and important feature of early rock ‘n’ roll music.Rate this question:
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- 7.
South Carolina-born trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and Havana-born bandleader Machito collaborated in which genre, created in New York City?
- A.
Mariachi
- B.
Folk Rock
- C.
Bossa Nova
- D.
Afro-Cuban Jazz
Correct Answer
D. Afro-Cuban JazzExplanation
Answer: D, Afro-Cuban jazz. This fusion genre is distinct from bossa nova, and extremely different than Mariachi. Know the stylistic differences between Latin genres, as these will be on your exam!Rate this question:
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- 8.
Why was Bob Dylan’s record “Like a Rolling Stone” so significant in the history of American popular music?
- A.
It fused ideas and forms of folk music with timbres more associated with rock music, such as electric guitars, drums, and keyboards.
- B.
At 6:00, it became the longest record to break into the pop charts and receive radio airplay.
- C.
It featured serious themes in its lyrics, something that would influence the development of rock music.
- D.
All of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the above -
- 9.
All of the following represent the San Francisco “alternative” rock scene at the end of the 1960’s except:
- A.
Jefferson Airplane
- B.
Janis Joplin
- C.
Eric Clapton
- D.
The Grateful Dead
Correct Answer
C. Eric ClaptonExplanation
While a major musical influence in the 1960s, Eric Clapton was a British musician closely tied to blues-based styles of rock music, and was not active in developing the San Francisco rock scene (also sometimes referred to as “psychedelic rock”).Rate this question:
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- 10.
4. “Blue Yodel No. 2” by Jimmie Rodgers features:
- A.
The “high, lonesome sound” of early country and ballad singers.
- B.
The poetic and musical forms of the blues.
- C.
The complex instrumental arrangements of Tin Pan Alley.
- D.
Both A and B.
Correct Answer
D. Both A and B.Explanation
Answer: D, both A and B. This example features a loose 12-bar blues, evidencing African American influences, while also adapting the yodeling and vocal timbre typical of the “high, lonesome sound” of early country and ballad singers. Rodgers’ song exemplifies the cultural syncretism between musical features common even in this time of racial segregation.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Swing music:
- A.
Exemplified the tensions and fears of many during the Great Depression; it was primarily performed by crooners backed by piano intended for listening audiences.
- B.
Exemplified the sense of freedom, vitality and enjoyment of the New Deal Era; it was primarily dance music characterized by “rocking” rhythmic motion and played by big bands.
- C.
Exemplified the politically-charged 1960s; it featured singer-songwriters with philosophically complex lyrics and strophic forms.
- D.
None of the above
Correct Answer
B. Exemplified the sense of freedom, vitality and enjoyment of the New Deal Era; it was primarily dance music characterized by “rocking” rhythmic motion and played by big bands.Explanation
Answer: B, exemplified the sense of freedom, vitality and enjoyment of the New Deal Era; it was primarily dance music characterized by “rocking” rhythmic motion and played by big bands. Roosevelt’s New Deal brought about the end of the Great Depression. New economic relief gave rise to a swelling, vibrant youth culture in the 1920s with a rhythmically-charged dance music to match the sentiments.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Who sings “(I’m Your) Hoochie Coochie Man”?
- A.
Robert Johnson
- B.
Eric Clapton
- C.
Charley Patton
- D.
Muddy Waters
Correct Answer
D. Muddy Waters -
- 13.
The genre names “rhythm & blues” and “country and western”
- A.
Are two different names used to describe the same genre.
- B.
Arose as more dignified replacements for the terms “race” and “hillbilly” music.
- C.
Named brand new musical styles in the 1930s and 1940s postwar era.
- D.
Were never officially used to describe popular music styles.
Correct Answer
B. Arose as more dignified replacements for the terms “race” and “hillbilly” music.Explanation
Answer: B, arose as more dignified replacements for the terms “race” and “hillbilly” music. These genres continued to be marketed to the same demographic categories, largely defined by race and locale, as the earlier genre distinctions.Rate this question:
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- 14.
In their deliberately old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll sound, Creedence Clearwater Revival represented the genre called:
- A.
Roots Rock
- B.
Country Western
- C.
Boogie Woogie
- D.
Honky Tonk
Correct Answer
A. Roots RockExplanation
Answer: A, Roots Rock. In its focus on more straightforward song forms, Roots Rock represented a push against the more elaborate studio records coming on to the market in the later 1960s, especially from the likes of the Beatles (Sgt. Peppers’s Lonely Hearts Club Band) and the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds)Rate this question:
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- 15.
As it’s founder and producer, Barry Gordy was a major figure for which record company?
- A.
Philles Records
- B.
Columbia Records
- C.
Chess Records
- D.
Motown Records
Correct Answer
D. Motown RecordsExplanation
Answer: D, Motown Records. Like Phil Spector at Philles Records, Barry Gordy influenced every aspect of music production at Motown Records, creating a distinct sound based on complex polyrhythmic textures and sophisticated arrangements.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Soul music pioneer Ray Charles integrated songs and styles from Tin Pan Alley, Country and Western, Blues, and Gospel music into his repertoire.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Answer: True. Chapter 10 details the vast range of sounds and styles typical of Ray Charles’ music, including his very famous “Georgia on my Mind,” originally a Tin Pan Alley tune.Rate this question:
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- 17.
Pérez Prado’s “Mambo No. 5”
- A.
Is a clear fusion of Mexican son jarocho with Los Angeles rock ‘n’ roll.
- B.
Has a full, smooth sound and exemplifies call-and-response throughout.
- C.
Is a kind of extended Afro-Cuban montuno section, with small melodic-rhythmic building blocks (riffs) combined and re-combined in different ways throughout the piece.
- D.
Has an AABA form, and haunting minor key melody intended to evoke “the orient.”
Correct Answer
C. Is a kind of extended Afro-Cuban montuno section, with small melodic-rhythmic building blocks (riffs) combined and re-combined in different ways throughout the piece.Explanation
Answer: C, is a kind of extended Afro-Cuban montuno section, with small melodic-rhythmic building blocks (riffs) combined and re-combined in different ways throughout the piece. This piece represents a shift in the Afro-Cuban sound where the montuno section takes on a primary role (rather than just appearing at the end after a verse-chorus section) and the instruments start to play repeated riffs, eventually themselves called “montunos.” Answer A describes “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens; answer B describes Fletcher Henderson and Benny Goodman’s style of swing, answer D describes “Caravan” by Duke Ellington.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Why is the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” considered such an important, influential record?
- A.
It included non-western instruments and new studio techniques
- B.
It featured a large variety of instrumental combinations
- C.
It was a unified concept album that presented itself as a complete marketing package.
- D.
All of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the above -
- 19.
Louis Jordan’s “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie” is a prime example of the genre of:
- A.
Jump Band
- B.
Motown
- C.
Honky Tonk
- D.
Bossa Nova
Correct Answer
A. Jump BandExplanation
Answer: A, Jump Band. Jump Band (a precursor of rock ‘n’ roll) can be identified by its fusion of boogie woogie, blues, and swing, all with a pared-down ensemble consisting of some combination of drums, bass, piano, guitar, and brass.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Which of these musicians innovated the bluegrass style, an extension of the string band style characterized by virtuosic melodies?
- A.
Frank Sinatra
- B.
Bob Wills
- C.
Jimmie Rodgers
- D.
Bill Monroe
Correct Answer
D. Bill MonroeExplanation
Answer: D, Bill Monroe. Bluegrass is very evidently linked to the acoustic string instrumentation and nasal vocal timbres early country, but with clear influences of blues improvisation and form. The song “It’s Mighty Dark to Travel” exemplifies this style.Rate this question:
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Mar 20, 2022Quiz Edited by
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Mar 02, 2014Quiz Created by
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