Sound Exploration: 'What's That Sound' 6Th Edition

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What's That Sound?: An Introduction to Rock and Its History is a textbook written by John Covach and Andrew Flory. The 6th edition of the book offers an expanded coverage of topics such as race, gender, and music from the 2010s. It also includes new listening guides with songs by artists like Billie Holiday, Blondie, and Taylor Swift. The book is designed to help students understand rock music within its historical and musical context while building their listening skills.

Characteristics Values
Authors John Covach and Andrew Flory
Publisher W. W. Norton
Edition 6th Edition
Genre Non-fiction
Subject Introduction to Rock and Its History
New Features Listening guides, expanded coverage of race and gender, new InQuizitive chapter activities
Authors' Credentials Professors of Music with extensive teaching and performance experience

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Building listening skills

'What's That Sound?' is a textbook designed to help students understand rock as a musical genre, while also building their listening skills. The 6th edition of the book, authored by John Covach and Andrew Flory, introduces several new listening guides to help students develop their listening skills. Covach is a Professor of Music at the University of Rochester and Eastman School of Music, and Flory is an Associate Professor of Music at Carleton College.

The 6th edition of the book offers expanded coverage of race, gender, and music from the 2010s. It also includes new InQuizitive chapter activities, which help students build listening skills online. Students are guided through historical contexts and musical influences that have contributed to the development of a particular rock style or sound.

The new listening guides in the 6th edition include songs by Billie Holiday, Blondie, the Go-Go's, No Doubt, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Vampire Weekend, and Ed Sheeran. The book also provides a carefully curated collection of licensed hits across all chapters.

By using 'What's That Sound?', students can gain a deeper understanding of rock music and its history, while also improving their listening skills. The book's interactive features, such as the InQuizitive activities, provide a practical and engaging approach to learning about rock music. This edition's expanded coverage of topics like race and gender also helps to strengthen an inclusive narrative in each chapter.

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Understanding rock as music

"What's That Sound?" is a textbook designed to help students understand rock first and foremost as a type of music. The 6th edition of the book, authored by John Covach and Andrew Flory, expands on previous editions by including a diverse range of licensed songs from various artists, such as Billie Holiday, Blondie, the Go-Go's, No Doubt, Carrie Underwood, and Taylor Swift.

The textbook emphasizes the importance of listening skills and guides students through the historical contexts and musical influences that have shaped rock music. It includes interactive InQuizitive chapter activities to enhance the learning experience. One of the key strengths of the 6th edition is its expanded coverage of topics related to race and gender in rock history, contributing to a more inclusive narrative. This includes discussions about women in the British Invasion, Latin American influences, and the impact of artists like Riot grrrl and Tina Turner.

John Covach, a Professor of Music at the University of Rochester and the Eastman School of Music, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the textbook. He has received multiple teaching awards and teaches theory, analysis, and popular music courses. Andrew Flory, Associate Professor of Music at Carleton College, has also taught rock history to hundreds of students and brings valuable classroom experience to the book's development.

"What's That Sound?" provides a comprehensive introduction to rock and its history. By incorporating musical examples and interactive activities, it helps students develop their listening skills and understand the cultural and historical context of rock music. The 6th edition's focus on inclusivity and diverse influences reflects a broader perspective on the genre, making it a valuable educational resource for students interested in rock music.

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Licensed hits and listening activities

The sixth edition of "What's That Sound?: An Introduction to Rock and Its History" by John Covach and Andrew Flory features a carefully curated collection of licensed hits and listening activities across all chapters. This textbook helps students understand rock primarily as a form of music, emphasising concepts while building listening skills.

The licensed hits included in the sixth edition are carefully curated and featured across all chapters. These licensed hits are complemented by listening activities powered by InQuizitive, which is a digital platform that enhances the learning experience. With Total Access, students can develop their listening abilities online while exploring the historical contexts and musical influences that have shaped various rock styles and sounds.

The listening activities in the sixth edition are designed to guide students through the intricate connections between music and its historical backdrop. By engaging with these activities, students can gain a deeper understanding of how specific rock styles evolved and the influences that contributed to their unique sound. This approach ensures that students not only acquire knowledge about rock music but also develop their listening skills, enabling them to appreciate the nuances of the genre.

InQuizitive, the digital platform powering the listening activities, offers an immersive and interactive learning experience. It likely provides students with tools and resources to analyse musical excerpts, identify stylistic traits, and explore the cultural and historical factors that influenced the music. This blend of academic content and hands-on activities encourages active learning and engagement, fostering a deeper appreciation for rock music and its rich history.

The sixth edition's integration of licensed hits and listening activities showcases the textbook's commitment to providing a comprehensive and modern educational experience. By incorporating popular music and interactive elements, the authors, John Covach and Andrew Flory, create a relatable and dynamic learning environment. This approach not only enhances students' understanding of rock music but also equips them with essential critical listening skills that can be applied beyond the classroom.

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Musical influences and rock styles

"What's That Sound?" is a textbook designed to help students understand rock first and foremost as a type of music. The 6th edition of the textbook introduces several new listening guides to help students build their listening skills as they are guided through historical contexts and musical influences that have influenced rock styles and sounds.

The new listening guides include songs by artists such as Billie Holiday, Blondie, the Go-Go's, No Doubt, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Vampire Weekend, and Ed Sheeran. These guides are intended to expose students to a diverse range of musical influences and styles that have shaped the evolution of rock music.

In addition to the new listening guides, the 6th edition of "What's That Sound?" also offers expanded coverage of topics such as race, gender, and the 2010s. This includes new chapters on women in the British Invasion, Latin American influences, and the Riot grrrl movement, providing a more inclusive narrative of rock history.

The textbook is authored by John Covach, Professor of Music at the University of Rochester and Eastman School of Music, and Andrew Flory, Associate Professor of Music at Carleton College. Both professors have extensive experience teaching rock history and have witnessed the development of the textbook over multiple editions.

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Historical context of rock music

"What's That Sound?: An Introduction to Rock and Its History", authored by John Covach and Andrew Flory, is a comprehensive textbook designed for students and educators interested in the history and evolution of rock music. The book delves into the rich cultural and musical heritage of rock, from its early beginnings in the 1920s to its current forms in the 2010s. It emphasizes critical listening and encourages students to connect the music with its historical influences.

The sixth edition of the book, published in 2022, reflects the latest research and discussions on rock music's history and cultural significance. It covers a broad range of topics, including the analysis of significant artists and styles, and the relationships between rock music and cultural movements. For example, it highlights how artists like Chuck Berry and Jimi Hendrix used their music to address social issues during the Civil Rights Movement.

The book also examines the evolution of an artist's sound by identifying underlying influences, formal characteristics, instrumentation, and production technology. It includes a carefully curated collection of licensed hits and interactive features such as audio clips, video interviews, and online resources to enhance the learning experience.

  • The 1920s, '30s, '40s: The world before rock and roll – This period sets the stage for the birth of rock and roll, with the rise of country and western music, bluegrass, rural and urban blues, and rhythm and blues as a "dangerous influence" on American youth.
  • The 1950s: The birth and first flourishing of rock and roll – The emergence of youth culture, the rise of Elvis Presley and rockabilly, and the crossover of the first rock and rollers.
  • The 1960s: The Beatles and the British invasion – The influence of British pop on American music, the rise of the Rolling Stones and the British blues revival, and the development of folk rock and American pop on both coasts.
  • The 1980s: I want my MTV – The impact of MTV on music, the emergence of dance music, heavy metal, rap, and indie rock, and the adaptation of older musicians to newer styles.
  • The 1990s: Alternative rock and rock alternatives – The rise of alternative rock, metal extensions, and indie rock, as well as the widening gaps between classic rock and new rock traditions.
  • The 2000s: Rock traditions and the business of change – The influence of technology on rock music, the mainstream rock in the new millennium, and the continued popularity of indie rock.

Frequently asked questions

'What's That Sound' is an introduction to rock and its history.

'What's That Sound' was written by John Covach and Andrew Flory.

The 6th edition includes expanded coverage of race and gender in rock history, as well as new listening guides featuring songs by Billie Holiday, Blondie, the Go-Go's, No Doubt, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Vampire Weekend, and Ed Sheeran.

The 6th edition can be purchased or rented from Amazon or Chegg.

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