Post 3: Psychedelic Overview

     Psychedelic music began in the late 1960s in the United States and Britain. Psychedelic rock according to Adam Woog is an “attempt to recreate the experience of a mind-altering drug trip through music; hence, its alternate name of acid rock. Psychedelic music was characterized by long improvised solos (especially by flashy lead guitarists), spacey noises, experiments in feedback, and thundering drums.” 

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     Psychedelic rock is strongly influenced by Indian music, which is demonstrated by the use of Indian instruments such as the sitar. The point of the music, to recreate the experience of a drug trip, implies a use of instrumentation, sounds, and vocals that are used to appeal to the senses. It is a surreal experience enhanced by such techniques as “phasing, swooshing and filtering.”

     Psychedelic rock involves a lot of improvisation, influenced by Free Jazz. And there are extended instrumental solos. There is a dependence on electronic sounds, whether it be the electric guitar with feedback, wah-wah and fuzzboxes, or studio effects such as “backwards tapes, panning, phasing, long delay loops, and extreme reverb.” Keyboards and electric organs are also used frequently along with synthesizers. Psychedelic music also involves the manipulation of timbre, for example blurred, bright, or overlapping timbre; upward movement; and regular and irregular rhythms.

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     Psychedelic rock uses complex structures, commonly in minor key signatures, and often changes time signature and key signature throughout a song. The melodies are usually on a sustained note. There is a lot of dissonance in psychedelic music along with modal melodies and harmonies, and drones.

Housewright, Wiley L., et al. "Youth Music: A Special Report." MENC: The
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Reising, Russell. "Melting Clocks and the Hallways of Always: Time in
     Psychedelic Music." Popular Music and Society 32.4 (2009): 523–547.
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Universitas Sumatera Utara. "2. The Concept of Rock Music." Universitas Sumatera
     Utara. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Jan. 2012. <http://repository.usu.ac.id/
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Woog, Adam. The History of Rock and Roll . San Diego: Lucent Books, 1999. Print.