Rock & Pop
Rock and pop music have shaped modern culture for over 60 years. From the guitar-driven power of classic rock to the polished production of modern pop, this guide covers essential techniques, sounds, and patterns across subgenres.
The Rock Foundation
Rock’s foundation is the backbeat—snare on beats 2 and 4, kick emphasizing 1 and 3, with steady eighth-note hi-hats:
stack(
sound("bd ~ ~ ~ bd ~ bd ~"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~"),
sound("hh*8")
).cpm(30)This pattern forms the basis of rock from the 1950s to today.
Guitar Sounds
Clean Guitar
Bright, chimey tone for arpeggios and chord work:
note("<c3,e3,g3> <a2,c3,e3> <f2,a2,c3> <g2,b2,d3>")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(3000)
.attack(0.01)
.decay(0.3)
.sustain(0.5)
.room(0.3)
.gain(0.4)
.cpm(30)Crunchy Overdrive
Classic rock tone with warm distortion:
note("e3 e3 g3 a3 g3 e3 d3 e3")
.s("sawtooth")
.distort(2)
.lpf(2500)
.attack(0.01)
.decay(0.2)
.sustain(0.6)
.gain(0.5)
.cpm(30)Power Chords
Root + fifth, the foundation of rock rhythm guitar:
stack(
note("e2 e2 a2 a2 d3 d3 a2 a2"),
note("b2 b2 e3 e3 a3 a3 e3 e3")
).s("sawtooth")
.distort(2.5)
.lpf(2000)
.attack(0.01)
.decay(0.15)
.sustain(0.7)
.cpm(30)Fuzz Guitar
60s/70s psychedelic tone with heavy saturation:
note("e3 g3 a3 g3")
.s("sawtooth")
.distort(4)
.lpf(1800)
.lpq(3)
.room(0.2)
.gain(0.4)
.cpm(28)Bass Sounds
Rock Bass
Punchy, fundamental tone:
note("e1 e1 g1 a1 e1 e1 d1 e1")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(800)
.attack(0.01)
.decay(0.2)
.sustain(0.6)
.gain(0.7)
.cpm(30)Post-Punk Melodic Bass
High-register bass carrying the melody (Joy Division style):
note("e3 b3 g3 e3 d3 e3 g3 b3")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(1500)
.attack(0.01)
.decay(0.3)
.sustain(0.4)
.room(0.3)
.gain(0.6)
.cpm(30)Synth Bass (80s Pop)
Minimoog-style bass for synth-pop:
note("c2 c2 c2 c3 eb2 eb2 f2 g2")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(sine.range(400, 1200).fast(0.5))
.lpq(5)
.attack(0.001)
.decay(0.15)
.sustain(0.3)
.gain(0.6)
.cpm(30)Genre Deep Dives
Classic Rock (120-140 BPM)
Classic rock draws from blues with swinging grooves, pentatonic riffs, and powerful backbeats. Drum sounds are often large and roomy.
Classic Tracks:
- “Back in Black” by AC/DC — steady backbeat with offbeat hi-hat accents
- “Rock and Roll” by Led Zeppelin — Bonham’s powerful drumming
- “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones — syncopated guitar riff
Characteristics: Pentatonic scales, blues influences, powerful drums, guitar-driven
stack(
sound("bd ~ bd ~ bd ~ bd bd"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~"),
sound("hh*8").gain(0.5),
note("e2 e2 g2 a2 e2 e2 d2 e2")
.s("sawtooth")
.distort(2)
.lpf(2000)
.gain(0.5)
).cpm(35)With Lead Guitar:
stack(
sound("bd ~ bd ~ bd ~ bd bd"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~"),
sound("hh*8").gain(0.4),
note("e2*4").s("sawtooth").distort(2).lpf(1500).gain(0.4),
note("e4 g4 a4 b4 a4 g4 e4 d4")
.s("sawtooth")
.distort(1.5)
.lpf(3000)
.room(0.2)
.gain(0.4)
).cpm(35)Punk Rock (150-180 BPM)
Punk emerged in the mid-70s as a raw, aggressive reaction to progressive rock excess. Fast tempos, power chords, and relentless downstrokes define the sound.
Classic Tracks:
- “Blitzkrieg Bop” by Ramones (~175 BPM) — “Hey! Ho! Let’s Go!”
- “Anarchy in the U.K.” by Sex Pistols (~150 BPM)
- “London Calling” by The Clash
Characteristics: Fast tempo, power chords, downstroke strumming, simple structures, raw energy
stack(
sound("bd").euclid(4, 4),
sound("sd").euclidRot(2, 4, 2),
sound("hh").euclid(8, 8).gain(0.5),
note("e2*8")
.s("sawtooth")
.distort(3)
.lpf(1500)
.attack(0.001)
.decay(0.08)
.sustain(0.3)
.gain(0.6)
).cpm(44)With Chord Changes:
stack(
sound("bd").euclid(4, 4),
sound("sd").euclidRot(2, 4, 2),
sound("hh").euclid(8, 8).gain(0.5),
stack(
note("<e2!4 a2!2 b2!2>*2"),
note("<b2!4 e3!2 f#3!2>*2")
).s("sawtooth")
.distort(3)
.lpf(1500)
.attack(0.001)
.decay(0.08)
.sustain(0.3)
.gain(0.5)
).cpm(44)Post-Punk (120-140 BPM)
Post-punk emerged in the late 70s with bands like Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and The Cure. Bass carries the melody, guitars are sparse and atmospheric, drums are mechanical.
Classic Tracks:
- “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division — Peter Hook’s melodic bass
- “A Forest” by The Cure — atmospheric and hypnotic
- “She’s Lost Control” by Joy Division — driving bass, sparse guitar
Characteristics: Bass-driven melodies, reverb-drenched guitars, angular rhythms, dark atmosphere
stack(
sound("bd ~ ~ bd ~ ~ bd ~"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~"),
sound("hh*8").gain(0.3),
note("e3 b3 g3 e3 d3 e3 g3 a3")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(1800)
.attack(0.01)
.decay(0.3)
.sustain(0.4)
.room(0.4)
.gain(0.6)
).cpm(33)With Sparse Guitar:
stack(
sound("bd ~ ~ bd ~ ~ bd ~"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~"),
sound("hh*8").gain(0.3),
note("e3 b3 g3 e3 d3 e3 g3 a3")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(1800)
.room(0.4)
.gain(0.5),
note("~ e5 ~ ~ ~ b4 ~ ~")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(2500)
.room(0.6)
.delay(0.4)
.delaytime(0.375)
.delayfeedback(0.4)
.gain(0.3)
).cpm(33)New Wave / Synth-Pop (110-130 BPM)
Synth-pop brought electronic instruments to the forefront—synthesizers replaced guitars, drum machines replaced drummers. The sound is polished, melodic, and often melancholic.
Classic Tracks:
- “Blue Monday” by New Order — TR-808 drums, sequenced synths
- “Enjoy the Silence” by Depeche Mode — atmospheric and textured
- “Take On Me” by a-ha — bright synths, iconic hook
Equipment: Roland TR-808/909, Minimoog, Juno-106, DX7
Characteristics: Drum machines, synth bass, arpeggiated synths, polished production
stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR808").euclid(4, 8),
sound("sd").bank("RolandTR808").euclidRot(2, 8, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR808").euclid(8, 8).gain(0.4),
note("c2 c2 g2 c2 eb2 eb2 g2 eb2")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(600)
.attack(0.001)
.decay(0.15)
.sustain(0.3)
.gain(0.6)
).cpm(30)With Synth Arp:
stack(
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR808").euclid(4, 8),
sound("sd").bank("RolandTR808").euclidRot(2, 8, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR808").euclid(8, 8).gain(0.4),
note("c2 c2 g2 c2 eb2 eb2 g2 eb2")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(600)
.gain(0.5),
note("c4 eb4 g4 c5 g4 eb4".fast(2))
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(2500)
.attack(0.001)
.decay(0.1)
.sustain(0.1)
.delay(0.3)
.delaytime(0.125)
.gain(0.35)
).cpm(30)80s Pop (110-130 BPM)
80s pop is defined by gated reverb drums, synthesizers, and polished production. The LinnDrum and DX7 are signature sounds.
Classic Tracks:
- “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson — iconic drum pattern, Minimoog bass
- “Into the Groove” by Madonna — Oberheim DMX drums, Juno-106 chords
- “Take On Me” by a-ha — bright synths, huge drums
Equipment: LinnDrum, Oberheim DMX, Yamaha DX7, Minimoog
stack(
sound("bd").bank("LinnDrum").euclid(4, 8),
sound("sd").bank("LinnDrum").euclidRot(2, 8, 4),
sound("hh").bank("LinnDrum").euclid(8, 8).gain(0.5),
sound("cp").bank("LinnDrum").euclidRot(2, 16, 8).gain(0.4)
).cpm(30)Billie Jean Style:
stack(
sound("bd").bank("LinnDrum").euclid(4, 8),
sound("sd").bank("LinnDrum").euclidRot(2, 8, 4),
sound("hh").bank("LinnDrum").euclid(8, 8).gain(0.4),
note("f#2 f#2 f#2 f#3 f#2 f#2 e2 f#2")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(800)
.lpq(3)
.attack(0.001)
.decay(0.15)
.sustain(0.2)
.gain(0.6)
).cpm(29)Grunge (100-130 BPM)
Grunge emerged from Seattle in the late 80s/early 90s as a fusion of punk attitude and heavy metal power. Drop-D tuning, heavy distortion, and dynamic shifts between quiet verses and loud choruses.
Classic Tracks:
- “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana (~117 BPM) — quiet-loud dynamics
- “Alive” by Pearl Jam — blues-influenced solos
- “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden — heavy, psychedelic
Characteristics: Drop-D tuning, heavy distortion, dynamic contrast, angst-filled vocals
stack(
sound("bd ~ ~ bd ~ bd ~ ~"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~"),
sound("hh*8").gain(0.4),
stack(
note("d2 d2 d2 d3 d2 d2 c2 d2"),
note("a2 a2 a2 a3 a2 a2 g2 a2")
).s("sawtooth")
.distort(3.5)
.lpf(1500)
.attack(0.01)
.decay(0.2)
.sustain(0.6)
.gain(0.5)
).cpm(29)Quiet Verse:
stack(
sound("bd ~ ~ ~ bd ~ ~ ~"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ ~ ~"),
note("d2 ~ a2 ~ d2 ~ g2 ~")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(800)
.attack(0.01)
.decay(0.3)
.sustain(0.3)
.room(0.2)
.gain(0.4)
).cpm(29)Loud Chorus:
stack(
sound("bd bd ~ bd bd ~ bd ~"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd sd"),
sound("hh*8").gain(0.5),
stack(
note("d2*8"),
note("a2*8")
).s("sawtooth")
.distort(4)
.lpf(1800)
.gain(0.6)
).cpm(29)Britpop (110-130 BPM)
Britpop emerged in the mid-90s as a reaction to American grunge, drawing on 60s British pop influences like The Beatles and The Kinks. Catchy melodies, jangly guitars, and witty lyrics.
Classic Tracks:
- “Wonderwall” by Oasis — anthemic, acoustic-driven
- “Song 2” by Blur — “Woo-hoo!” distorted energy
- “Common People” by Pulp — synth-rock storytelling
Characteristics: British influences (Beatles, Kinks), catchy melodies, guitar-pop, swagger
Oasis Style (Anthemic):
stack(
sound("bd ~ bd ~ bd ~ bd ~"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~"),
sound("hh*8").gain(0.4),
note("<e3,g#3,b3> <a2,c#3,e3> <c#3,e3,g#3> <d3,f#3,a3>")
.s("sawtooth")
.distort(1.5)
.lpf(2500)
.attack(0.02)
.decay(0.3)
.sustain(0.5)
.room(0.3)
.gain(0.4)
).cpm(29)Blur Style (Punchy):
stack(
sound("bd bd ~ ~ bd bd ~ ~"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~"),
sound("hh*8").gain(0.5),
note("f2 f2 ~ f2 ~ f2 f2 ~")
.s("sawtooth")
.distort(3)
.lpf(1500)
.attack(0.001)
.decay(0.08)
.sustain(0.2)
.gain(0.6)
).cpm(33)Indie Rock (110-140 BPM)
Modern indie rock blends influences from post-punk revival, garage rock, and art rock. Often features angular guitar riffs, driving rhythms, and effects-laden tones.
Classic Tracks:
- “Last Nite” by The Strokes — garage rock simplicity
- “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” by Arctic Monkeys — driving energy
- “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand — angular, danceable
Characteristics: Garage rock influence, angular guitars, fuzz/overdrive, post-punk revival energy
Strokes Style:
stack(
sound("bd ~ bd ~ bd ~ bd ~"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~"),
sound("hh*8").gain(0.5),
note("d3 d3 f3 d3 a3 f3 d3 c3")
.s("sawtooth")
.distort(1.5)
.lpf(3000)
.attack(0.001)
.decay(0.15)
.sustain(0.3)
.gain(0.5)
).cpm(33)Arctic Monkeys Style:
stack(
sound("bd ~ bd bd ~ bd bd ~"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~"),
sound("hh*8").gain(0.4),
note("e3 e3 g3 e3 b3 g3 e3 d3")
.s("sawtooth")
.distort(2.5)
.lpf(2500)
.lpq(2)
.attack(0.001)
.decay(0.1)
.sustain(0.3)
.gain(0.5)
).cpm(35)Modern Pop (100-130 BPM)
Modern pop is heavily influenced by EDM, hip-hop, and R&B. Characterized by polished production, electronic drums, auto-tuned vocals, and catchy hooks.
Classic Tracks:
- “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish — minimal, bass-heavy
- “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd — 80s synth revival
- “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran — tropical house influence
Characteristics: Electronic production, compressed vocals, drop-based structure, EDM influences
Minimal Pop (Billie Eilish style):
stack(
sound("bd ~ ~ ~ bd ~ ~ ~"),
sound("~ ~ ~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~"),
note("c2 ~ ~ c2 ~ ~ eb2 ~")
.s("sine")
.lpf(300)
.gain(0.8),
sound("hh ~ hh ~").gain(0.3)
).cpm(33)80s Revival (Blinding Lights style):
stack(
sound("bd").euclid(4, 4),
sound("sd").euclidRot(2, 4, 2),
sound("hh*8").gain(0.4),
note("f3 f3 a3 f3 c4 a3 f3 eb3")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(2000)
.attack(0.001)
.decay(0.1)
.sustain(0.2)
.gain(0.5),
note("<f2,a2,c3> <eb2,g2,bb2>")
.s("supersaw")
.lpf(3000)
.attack(0.1)
.release(0.3)
.room(0.3)
.gain(0.3)
).cpm(29)Tropical Pop (Ed Sheeran style):
stack(
sound("bd ~ bd ~"),
sound("~ sd ~ sd"),
sound("rim").euclidRot(3, 8, 2).gain(0.5),
note("c#2 ~ g#2 ~ c#2 ~ b1 c#2")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(600)
.gain(0.5),
note("<c#3,e3,g#3> <a2,c#3,e3>")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(1500)
.attack(0.01)
.decay(0.2)
.sustain(0.3)
.room(0.2)
.gain(0.3)
).cpm(24)Alternative Rock (100-130 BPM)
Alternative rock is a broad category encompassing indie, grunge, and experimental approaches. R.E.M. and Radiohead pushed the genre in different directions.
Classic Tracks:
- “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M. — mandolin-driven, jangly
- “Creep” by Radiohead — dynamic, emotional
- “Paranoid Android” by Radiohead — prog-influenced sections
Characteristics: Diverse influences, experimental production, dynamic range, introspective lyrics
R.E.M. Jangle Style:
stack(
sound("bd ~ ~ bd ~ bd ~ ~"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~"),
sound("hh*8").gain(0.3),
note("e4 b3 g3 e3 b3 e4 g4 b4".fast(2))
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(4000)
.attack(0.001)
.decay(0.15)
.sustain(0.2)
.room(0.3)
.gain(0.4)
).cpm(32)Radiohead Style (Building):
stack(
sound("bd ~ ~ ~ bd ~ bd ~"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~"),
sound("hh*8").gain(0.3),
note("<g2,b2,d3> <a2,c3,e3> <e2,g2,b2> <c3,e3,g3>")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(sine.range(800, 2500).slow(4))
.distort(1.5)
.attack(0.05)
.decay(0.3)
.sustain(0.5)
.room(0.4)
.gain(0.4)
).cpm(28)Complete Tracks
Classic Rock Track
stack(
// Drums
sound("bd ~ bd ~ bd ~ bd bd"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~"),
sound("hh*8").gain(0.5),
// Bass
note("e1 e1 g1 a1 e1 e1 d1 e1")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(600)
.gain(0.5),
// Rhythm Guitar
stack(
note("e2*4 a2*2 d3*2"),
note("b2*4 e3*2 a3*2")
).s("sawtooth")
.distort(2)
.lpf(2000)
.gain(0.4)
).cpm(35)Post-Punk Track
stack(
// Drums
sound("bd ~ ~ bd ~ ~ bd ~"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~"),
sound("hh*8").gain(0.3),
// Melodic Bass
note("e3 b3 g3 e3 d3 e3 g3 a3")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(1500)
.room(0.3)
.gain(0.5),
// Sparse Guitar
note("~ e5 ~ ~ ~ b4 ~ ~")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(2500)
.room(0.5)
.delay(0.4)
.delaytime(0.375)
.delayfeedback(0.5)
.gain(0.3)
).cpm(33)Synth-Pop Track
stack(
// Drums
sound("bd").bank("RolandTR808").euclid(4, 8),
sound("sd").bank("RolandTR808").euclidRot(2, 8, 4),
sound("hh").bank("RolandTR808").euclid(8, 8).gain(0.4),
sound("oh").bank("RolandTR808").euclidRot(2, 8, 2).gain(0.3),
// Bass
note("c2 c2 g2 c2 eb2 eb2 g2 eb2")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(700)
.attack(0.001)
.decay(0.15)
.sustain(0.2)
.gain(0.5),
// Synth Arp
note("c4 eb4 g4 c5 g4 eb4".fast(2))
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(3000)
.attack(0.001)
.decay(0.1)
.sustain(0.1)
.delay(0.3)
.delaytime(0.166)
.gain(0.35),
// Pad
note("<c3,eb3,g3> <eb3,g3,bb3>")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(1500)
.attack(0.3)
.release(0.5)
.room(0.4)
.gain(0.2)
).cpm(30)Indie Rock Track
stack(
// Drums
sound("bd ~ bd bd ~ bd bd ~"),
sound("~ ~ sd ~ ~ ~ sd ~"),
sound("hh*8").gain(0.5),
// Bass
note("e2 e2 g2 e2 a2 g2 e2 d2")
.s("sawtooth")
.lpf(800)
.gain(0.5),
// Guitar
note("e3 e3 g3 e3 b3 g3 e3 d3")
.s("sawtooth")
.distort(2)
.lpf(2800)
.attack(0.001)
.decay(0.15)
.sustain(0.3)
.gain(0.45)
).cpm(35)Rock & Pop Quick Reference
| Genre | BPM | Key Elements |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Rock | 120-140 | Blues influence, pentatonic, backbeat |
| Punk | 150-180 | Fast, power chords, downstrokes |
| Post-Punk | 120-140 | Melodic bass, sparse guitar, reverb |
| New Wave | 110-130 | Synths, drum machines, arpeggios |
| 80s Pop | 110-130 | LinnDrum, DX7, gated reverb |
| Grunge | 100-130 | Drop-D, heavy distortion, dynamics |
| Britpop | 110-130 | British 60s influence, catchy hooks |
| Indie Rock | 110-140 | Angular guitars, post-punk revival |
| Modern Pop | 100-130 | EDM influence, electronic production |
| Alternative | 100-130 | Diverse, experimental, dynamic |
What You Learned
- Rock backbeat: snare on 2 and 4, kick on 1 and 3
- Power chords: root + fifth, foundation of rock guitar
.distort()values: 1.5-2 for crunch, 3-4 for heavy- Post-punk: bass carries melody, guitar is sparse with delay/reverb
- Synth-pop: drum machines (TR-808/909), synth bass, arpeggios
- Grunge: drop-D tuning, quiet-loud dynamics
- Modern pop borrows from EDM and hip-hop production
- Different eras have distinct drum sounds (acoustic vs. electronic)