Ecological Models of Musical Structure in Pop-Rock, 1950–2019
Ecological Models of Musical Structure in Pop-rock, 1950–2019 Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Nicholas J. Shea, M.A., B.Ed. Graduate Program in Music The Ohio State University 2020 Dissertation Committee: Anna Gawboy, Advisor and Dissertation Co-Advisor Nicole Biamonte, Dissertation Co-Advisor Daniel Shanahan David Clampitt Copyright by Nicholas J. Shea 2020 Abstract This dissertation explores the relationship between guitar performance and the functional components of musical organization in popular-music songs from 1954 to 2019. Under an ecological theory of affordances, three distinct interdisciplinary approaches are employed: empirical analyses of two stylistically contrasting databases of popular-music song transcriptions, a motion-capture study of performances by practicing musicians local to Columbus, Ohio, and close readings of works performed and/or composed by popular- music guitarists. Each offers gestural analyses that provide an alternative to the object- oriented approach of standard popular-music analysis, as well as clarification on issues related to style, such as the socially determined differences between “pop” and “rock” music. ii Dedication To Anna Gawboy, who is always in my corner. iii Acknowledgments Here I face the nearly insurmountable task of thanking those who have helped to develop this research. Even as all written and analytical content in this document is my own, I cannot deny the incredible value collaboration has brought to this inherently interdisciplinary study. I am extremely fortunate to have a small team of individuals on which I can rely for mentorship and support and whose research backgrounds contribute greatly to the domains of this document.
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