Characteristics of Australian Music

1950s:

·         The music was influenced through war (World War II) and the teenagers of that time hadn’t been through the emotions involved in war and were looking for some excitement which they found through popular music

·         Saxophone, folksinger and doo-wop sounds were quite popular in this era

·         Light melodies and sweet lyrics were both characteristics of the music from the 1950s

·         Live bands were always used as they were required to produce full sound as recordings were not around yet

·         Almost 100% of the time there was either an acoustic or an electric guitar accompanying the main vocal melody

·         Simple time signatures, most often common time

·         Ostinatos were used often by the accompanying instruments (guitar, drums and bass) and were quite simple

·         The melody moves in steps(conjunct) not leaps and the vocals most often have the main melody and there was only one main singer as opposed to many

·         Homophonic texture-melody and accompaniment-vocals and guitar + drums

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1960s:

·         The British invasion influenced Australian music in this Era as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones became more popular and very influential

·         Psychedelic and acid rock movements became popular in Australia due to events such as the Vietnam War, protests and the new drug-culture scene.

·         Acoustic guitar played more often, other than electric

·         A piano was used instead of a keyboard in some cases, but definitely not all

·         In every genre, a simple drum beat was played; mostly it was a simple rock beat.

·         All instruments played mostly all the time, which creates a much fuller sound and thick texture

1970s:

·         Progressive rock was invented around this time.

·         Electrical based instruments e.g electrical keyboards and animated sounds were used.

·          The harmonies are quite simple, drums are emphasized in the chorus and the chorus is generally contains a crescendo.

·          Electric guitar was introduced and emphasized in this era. This was the decade of really experimenting between loud rock sounds and soft.

1980s:

·         Heavy electric guitar sounds and strong beat were significant

·         The electric guitar became the main form of accompaniment, with it being played quite loud and with the melody quite often. It also commonly played solos.

·         Frequently there would be more than one guitar playing in one band or group

·         Basic rock beat on drums was used to keep a steady pulse

·         Vocal experimentation

·         Horns became more popular as they created more interest

·         Simple time signature, most often 4/4

·         Repetition was used a lot especially in rock music to enforce ideas

·         In the late 80s a sudden burst of interest for female singers came about

·      During this era, artists also had to battle new technologies as they were being produced rapidly and becoming more and more popular. This was also around the time that video hits began so artists had to produce videos for their music if they wanted more popularity

1990s:

·         Still a simple rock beat played on drums but with more fills between sections

·         Very heavy guitar sound but not in all sections, mostly in choruses

·         Keyboard, bass guitar and electric guitar; the normal accompaniment of a rock/pop band

·         The keyboard began to become more popular in melodies than the electric guitar

·         Keyboard and guitar solos became well-liked

·         Simple rock beat on drums began to get more complex with the rest of the kit being used a lot more.

·         Main vocals are not backed up during verses as much as they are in choruses. This adds emphasis in the chorus and also creates interest through different tone colour and texture.

·         More alternative music became popular as did music and videos for young children, like The Wiggles and Hi-5

2000s:

·         Artists of this era commonly produced covers of a older bands to re-instate new characteristics and make it their own

·         Electronic, dance and rap music became very fashionable

·         More complex drum rhythms used and rhythms that vary from section to section and also used to differentiate sections

·         Unusual instruments for a rock band became known, such as; horns, strings and several different percussion instruments. The use of these instruments adds tone colour, thickens the texture, creates interest and keeps the listener intrigued in the music

·         Synthesised sounds used a lot

·         More focus is on the main vocals and melody rather than the accompaniment

·         Singer and accompaniment songs  (e.g. guitar and vocals or piano and vocals) became very well-liked