MUSC 379 - Beatle Music

Credits: (3)
The legacy of the rock band known as the Beatles intersects with some of the most significant political, musical, and social events of the past century. Although they left their imprint upon a bewildering variety of cultural practices, their role as musicians, composers, and recording artists formed the bedrock of their activity. This course concentrates foremost on the Beatles’ musical activities and achievements. Students will follow a chronologically oriented path that tracks the group from their earliest days until their breakup in 1970. Within the historical context of their development as composers, musical craftsmen, and artists of the recording process; class members will gain an appreciation of the many styles in which the Beatles worked, will study their reliance on existing musical traditions as well as the ways in which they transformed those traditions, and will assess their impact upon contemporaneous music and culture. Student participation and discussion is encouraged and expected. The majority of class time will comprise group discussion and analysis of musical examples and readings.