The History of the Instrument in 1980s Pop Music

From the early days of the instrument’s development in the late 19th century to its widespread adoption in pop music in the 1980s, the history of the instrument is fascinating.

Introduction

The instrument is a vital part of any pop music performance. For many artists, the instrument is the most important part of their performance, and the 1980s was no different. This decade saw the rise of countless new bands and solo artists, each with their own unique sound and style.

Instrumentation in pop music has always been fairly simple, with the most common instruments being guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards. However, the 1980s saw the rise of new technologies that allowed for more complex arrangements. Synthesizers and samplers became increasingly popular, giving artists a whole new palette of sounds to work with.

The instrumentation of pop music in the 1980s was also shaped by the rise of MTV. The network’s demand for catchy visuals and short attention spans forced artists to create music that was both ear-catching and easy to digest. This often meant stripped-down arrangements with little room for improvisation or extended solos.

Despite these trends, there were still plenty of artist who managed to create complex and innovative music using traditional instruments. These artists pushed the boundaries of what was possible with their chosen tools and helped to shape the sound of pop music in the 1980s.

The Keyboard

In the mid-20th century, the electric piano and organ, among other keyboard instruments, became integral parts of popular music. This was particularly true in the US, where the music of African Americans played a significant role in the development of popular music. The keyboard was an important part of the sound of Motown, as well as of the work of singer-songwriters like Carole King and Stevie Wonder.

The Synthesizer

In the 1980s, the synthesizer became one of the most important instruments in pop music. This electronic keyboard instrument was first developed in the early 1900s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that it became widely used in popular music. The first commercially successful synthesizer was the Moog synthesizer, which was used by artists like Kraftwerk and Walter Carlos.

By the early 1980s, synthesizers were being used by a wide range of artists in a variety of genres, including pop, rock, and new wave. The keyboard player for the British band Depeche Mode was one of the first to use a synth to create a new sound that would become synonymous with the band. The group’s 1981 album Speak & Spell featured several songs with synthesizer-based melodies,including “Just Can’t Get Enough” and “New Life.”

The popularity of the synthesizer in pop music continued to grow in the mid-1980s with the release of albums like Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1982) and Madonna’s Like a Virgin (1984). These albums featured synth-based dance hits like “Billie Jean” and “Like a Virgin,” which helped to cement the keyboard instrument’s place in popular culture.

The Piano

The piano was introduced into pop music in the early 1980s, becoming an essential part of the sound of many bands and artists. The piano quickly became one of the most popular instruments in pop music, appearing on countless records and establishing itself as a staple of the genre.

The piano became a particularly important instrument in the development of pop music, as it allowed for a greater level of expressiveness and emotion than other instruments. The piano also allowed for a more diverse range of sounds and textures, making it an essential part of the pop sound.

The 1980s saw the rise of some of the most iconic and influential pianists in pop music history, including Billy Joel, Elton John, Bruce Hornsby, and torches Lionel Richie. These musicians helped to define the sound of pop music and establish the piano as a vital part of the genre.

The Guitar

The electric guitar is a mainstay in pop music. It has been used in countless songs from a variety of genres and artist. While the electric guitar has been around since the early 1900s, it was not widely used in pop music until the late 1950s. In the 1980s, the electric guitar was featured prominently in pop music. In this article, we will take a look at the history of the electric guitar in pop music.

The Electric Guitar

In the 1980s, the electric guitar was one of the most popular instruments in pop music. Many of the biggest hits of the decade were driven by catchy guitar hooks and solos, and the instrument became synonymous with the sound of 1980s pop.

The electric guitar first gained popularity in the 1950s, when rock and roll artists like Chuck Berry and Bill Haley began using it to create new sounds. In the 1960s, British bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones popularized the electric guitar even further, and by the end of the decade it was an essential part of any rock band.

The 1970s saw a new wave of electric guitar players emerge, including virtuosos like Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen. These players pushed the boundaries of what was possible on the instrument, and their influence can still be heard in many modern guitarists.

The 1980s was a golden age for pop music, and the electric guitar was at the forefront of many hit songs. Artists like Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna, and George Michael all used guitars to create catchy hooks and solos that defined their sound. The electric guitar was also used extensively in hair metal bands like Mötley Crüe and Guns N’ Roses, as well as in synth-pop groups like Depeche Mode and Duran Duran.

The Acoustic Guitar

The acoustic guitar is a musical instrument that has been used in a variety of genres for centuries. It became particularly popular in pop music during the 1980s, when artists like Tracy Chapman and Stevie Ray Vaughan began using it to create hits like “Fast Car” and “Pride and Joy.”

Acoustic guitars are typically made of wood, and they have six strings that are plucked or strummed to create sound. They can be played solo or with a band, and they are a mainstay of many different genres of music, from country to jazz.

The Drum

Drums are one of the most popular instruments in 1980s pop music. They were used in a variety of genres, including rock, pop, R&B, and dance. Drums were often the foundation of the song, and they helped to create the rhythm and beat that was so essential to 1980s pop music.

The Drum Machine

The drum machine was invented in the late 1930s, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that it began to be used in music. The first commercial drum machine was the Wurlitzer Sideman, which was released in 1959. The Sideman was used by comedians and novelty acts, as well as by some pop and rock bands.

In the 1970s, the drum machine became more popular with bands like Kraftwerk and Silver Apples, who used it to create innovative new sounds. In the early 1980s, the drum machine became a staple of pop and dance music, with hits like “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John and “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson.

Today, the drum machine is an essential part of many genres of music, from pop to hip-hop to electronic dance music.

Conclusion

To sum it up, the instrument had a profound impact on pop music in the 1980s, and its influence can still be heard today. It was used by some of the biggest artists of the time to create chart-topping hits, and it continues to be one of the most popular instruments in both pop and rock music. If you’re a fan of 1980s pop music, then you owe a debt of gratitude to the instrument for its contribution to the genre.