DISCO!

1970’s & 1980’s Disco Music

What is Disco?

It’s a style of dance music that was popular in the 70’s & 80’s and is

influenced by funk, pop, soul and latin music

Discothèque

Disco is short for Discotheque (Disco-tek), which is another word for nightclub.

A nightclub is a venue that plays music until very late, often with

a bar/dancefloor etc

Musical Features of Disco• Four on the floor bass drum• Quaver & Semiquaver hi-hat patterns, often with an open

hi hat on the offbeat• Syncopated bass lines• Lead vocal part• Backing vocals• Lush orchestral arrangements (e.g. strings/flute etc in

background)• Use of rhythm guitar to add ‘groove’ or ‘funk’ sound• Brass ‘stabs’ to punctuate music

Instruments of Disco• Male or female lead vocal• Harmony backing vocals• Drum machine (replacing drum kit)• Brass section • String section• Rhythm guitar• Synthesizer

Context of Disco• Reaction against ‘rock music’• Very groovy, danceable • Light shows and mirrorballs• Neon dancefloors• Large sound systems (speakers)• Flared trousers, rollerskates • Shirts with big collars• Medallions

Disco Dance Moves• Individual dancing – often

improvised• Lots of spins and hip movements• Often competitive – who would

be the best dressed/best dancer etc

Disco fell out of fashion as the 1980’s progressed. It virtually vanished in the 1990’s.

However, as the 2000’s began, disco underwent a resurgencein popularity and began to influence modern music and bands.

Check out the music blog : bishopbellmusic.wordpress.comfor a playlist of disco tracks and tracks that have been influenced by disco.