Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band

The Album
The recording of the album took 129 day and 700 hours to produce.
6
th
December 1966: Recording began
The title: the cockney word for Salt and Pepper
Paul came up with the idea of creating a fictitious band and the album would showcase the group
As Beatlemania began to get out of proportion the group became increasingly alarmed at the public
disinterest in their sound No one was listening due to the screaming and their musicianship was suffering
The group used the public address system but proved difficult as they were unable to hear each other
They decided to put a live performance on the record since people were no longer listening to a live
performance
They saw themselves as artists This wasnt going to just be any album but one where their artistic wishes
could be realised
The album gave the audience a lot more than songs they also got:
1. Two continuous sides of music
2. The definite feel of a live performance with the audience sounds
3. A mix of styles classical to Indian raga
4. Printed lyrics for all the songs
5. A 41 piece orchestra on a record
Album raised the bar for all future records
It showed that a record can be more than just a set of recordings of your songs Can be a creative process
that with imagination can take a group in many directions
The recording industry was changes from just having music sounding right to playing with that sound to
make something new
The Tracks
Sgt Pepper: The fictitious band appears with all the expectation of the crowd recorded live
Shes Leaving Home: No Pop instrument with wonderful lyrics
When Im 64: Contrast to the previous track. A fusion of classical and pop music
George Martin
He was the key to the albums success
Was able to translate that the band wanted to do into the actual sound
1955: He became head of Parlaphone records
Martin was always on the lookout for new talent
His background is classical music
Martin studied composition and orchestration at the London Guildhall School of Music
He wasnt impressed at the first Beatles demo but liked the 4 boys when he met the group in person
He Became convinced that they had the markings of a successful Pop Group
The bands creativity was converted into reality by Martin.
Martin is considered one of the most successful pop producers ever
Recording Techniques
Stereo Sound: Making the recording seem live
Mono Sound: Recording the music through only one channel
Panning: Placing the sound in different speakers
Multi Tracking: Building up different layers of sound
Flanging: Recording two identical sounds with the second one being slightly delayed
Channel: Part of the sound desk here a single sound is recorded
Distortion: when an instrument overloads a speaker making it sound harsh or fuzzy
Bouncing: When you combine several tracks together and bounce or mover them to a new track
Musical Features
Using 4 French Horns seemed unusual
Opening audience sound effects
Link into next track
Impressive vocal harmonies
It was the first time the buyer was given more than just the song
Syncopated lead guitar
Repeated chord sequence
Examples of drum backbeat
Solo singing by Paul McCartney
Song doesnt begin on chord 1 rather a7 note of uncertainty
Made entirely from repeated idea
Fusion of Pop and classical
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts club Band
Composer: Paul McCartney
Recorded: February/ March 1966
Introduction:
1. Initial sounds of Audience in a concert Hall
2. Four Bar instrumental with tune on lead guitar
3. Key centres around G
4. Chord sequence : G A C - G
Verse 1:
1. Homophonic Texture
2. 4 x 2 bar phrase
3. Key centres around G
4. Repeated notes
5. Same Chords as intro
Brass interlude 1:
1. 4 French Horns
2. Polyphonic Texture
3. Key centres around F
Middle section Longest Section:
1. Refrain
2. Vocal Line halves its speed semi quavers to quavers
3. 2 /3 part Harmonies
4. Descending D arpeggio on Horns
5. Typical pop hook Catchy Tune to grab you audience
Brass interlude 2:
1. Similar to 1
st
interlude but solo voices now added
2. Real live feel to the band by the use of outdoor noise of an audience
Verse 2:
1. Homophonic Texture
2. Key centres around G
3. 4 x 2 bar phrases
4. Repeated notes
5. Same Chords as intro



Link (Different to vocal score):
1. Similar to 1
st
Horn interlude
2. Added addition of:
3 chords: C, D , E
As an intro of next song With a little help from my Friend