Minds On
Today’s vocabulary
Sampling is when artists take parts of older songs and use these parts on their own.
Blues musicians oftened used the same lyrics or phrases from older songs. These were called floating verses and are rooted in the oral traditions of African American communities that passed down stories and songs from generation to generation.
Let’s get started!
Innovation and technology in music
Before there were sound recordings, music was shared orally from one generation to the next. Innovations in technology have allowed communities to share music in different ways.
Sound technology and recording devices have evolved throughout history.
Explore the following timeline of music recording devices. The timeline is out of order and will need to be re-arranged.
Place the recording devices in order with earliest invention first and the most recent invention last.
Action
Get ready, get set…
Sampling
The technology used to record and play music has changed a lot!
It’s amazing how these innovations have helped us to access music today. The invention of the microphone in 1877 literally turned up the volume and allowed us to amplify voices and instruments to be shared by thousands of people at an event!
The invention of the AEG Magnetophon allowed people to tape-record music, reproduce it, and share it with a larger audience. These innovations have changed over time and brought us new ways to create and enjoy music.
One of the more recent innovations in music is called sampling. Sampling is when artists take parts of older songs and use these parts on their own. Sampling is often used in Hip Hop music by DJs who layer and overlap different sounds. It is a way to bring back songs of past and make them new again.
Sampling or stealing?
Since sampling involves taking parts of songs, you might ask the question: how is sampling different from stealing?
That’s an interesting question. It might be helpful to understand that sampling has a long history. Sampling started as a way of showing respect and admiration for artists of the past. Blues musicians often used the same lyrics or phrases from older songs. These “floating verses” were very popular and are rooted in the oral traditions of African American communities that passed down stories and songs from generation to generation.
Borrowing lyrics was an accepted practice up until the 1950s. However, there are important exceptions. Blues musicians were not always happy about lyrics being “borrowed” by White musicians who shared the music with their audience and benefited from the royalties and profits.
There are many examples of White artists who have become successful after borrowing Blues lyrics and music. For example, “Hound Dog” which was one of Elvis Presley’s earliest hits, was written by Mike Stoller and Jerry Lieber for Big Mama Thornton who was already performing the song. She sang a verse, “You told me you was high class, but I can see through that,” which Presley altered to “Well, they said you was high-classed, but that was just a lie.”
Access the following audio clips to explore both versions of the “Hound Dog” lyric.
Big Mama Thornton – Hound Dog
Elvis Presley – Hound Dog
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
Use the following questions to reflect on your learning so far. You can record your ideas using a method of your choice.
- How is the borrowing of Blues music by White musicians different from the idea of floating verses?
- Why do you think Blues artists may not have considered borrowing as a compliment?
- In your opinion, what is the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation?
Press the ‘Cultural appropriation’ button to access a definition of this term.
Cultural appropriation is taking and using images, ideas, knowledge, materials, customs, and practices, of one society by members of another.
The act of appropriation is often done without permission or consent and might result in financial gain.
Sampling samples!
Let’s explore how sampling has been used by different musicians more recently.
We are going to examine three “samples” of sampling!
Example #1
Examine the song “Take Yo’ Praise” by Camille Yarbough.
Take Yo’ Praise – Camille Yarbough
Praise You – Fat Boy Slim
Now, examine the song “Praise You” by Fat Boy Slim.
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
Let’s reflect on the songs “Take Yo’ Praise” and “Praise You.”
Answer the following questions and record your ideas in a method of your choice.
What do you notice about “Take Yo’ Praise” and “Praise You?” How are these songs similar and different?
When you’re ready, press the ‘Answer’ button to reveal a sample answer.
The new/sample “Praise You” version has an introduction. The original “Take Yo’ Praise” starts with the vocal melody right away.
The sample has been changed to include more instrumental parts like piano and percussion, which the original was only voice (acapella).
The sample has also been made into a quicker tempo.
What thoughts do you have about the newer version of the song?
When you’re ready, press the ‘Answer’ button to reveal a sample answer.
The new version of the sample is more upbeat and evokes an energetic feeling.
What connections can you make between yourself and sampling?
When you’re ready, press the ‘Answer’ button to reveal a sample answer.
I like to explore sampling in songs because it teaches me about older songs I may not have experienced before.
How might sampling be connected to bigger stories about the world and our place in it?
When you’re ready, press the ‘Answer’ button to reveal a sample answer.
Sampling is an innovative technique that benefits music because it “recycles” older music so that it is not forgotten.
Example #2
Now let’s examine an audio clip of “Good Times” by Chic. This is the original song from which a sample was taken. As you examine the song, think about which elements might be used as a sample.
Good Times – Chic
Let’s examine a clip of “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang. This song uses a sample from “Good Times.”
As you examine the song, think about how the sample has been used. Is it exactly the same? How does the sample affect the song?
The Sugarhill Gang – Rapper’s Delight
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
We just examined two songs, “Good Times” and “Rapper’s Delight.” One of the songs is the original, and one uses a sample from the original.
Using Project Zero’s thinking routine “Connect, Extend, Challenge,” let’s dig deeper into how the sample was used.
Record your ideas using the following fillable and printable Connect, Extend, Challenge document. You can also record your ideas using another method of your choice.
Press the Activity button to access the Connect, Extend, Challenge.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)When you’re ready, press the ‘Answer’ button to reveal possible answers to the Connect and Extend questions.
|
Connect |
Extend |
Challenge |
|---|---|---|
|
How does the sample connect to the original song? |
What new ideas did you get that broadened your thinking or extended it in different directions with sampling? |
What puzzles or questions emerge for you about sampling? |
|
The sample used in “Rapper’s Delight” is the bassline of the original song–“Good Times” by “Chic”. It is played throughout the song in the background. |
This example of sampling demonstrates that sampling can be done in very hidden ways. You really have to pay attention to the bassline! |
We may wonder what other ways sampling can be used. In this example, an instrumental sample from “Good Times” was used, but this wasn’t obvious. What could be some more obvious ways to use samples in music?
Now that we have explored two ways of using sampling, let’s explore one more example.
Example #3
Examine this audio clip from the song “Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell. As you examine this clip, consider which parts or elements may be used as a sample.
Big Yellow Taxi – Joni Mitchell
Now examine a clip from “Got Til It’s Gone” by Janet Jackson. As you examine the clip, can you identify how the sample of “Big Yellow Taxi” was used? What are the differences between the two songs?
Record your thinking using a method of your choice.
Got Til It’s Gone – Janet Jackson
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
Let’s think more about the relationship between “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Got Til It’s Gone.”
Answer the following questions about these songs. You can record your thinking using a method of your choice.
How was the sample from “Big Yellow Taxi” used in “Got Til It’s Gone?”
When you’re ready, press the ‘Answer’ button to reveal a sample answer.
The sung part “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone” is used. There are no instrumental parts from the original that were sampled.
What are the differences between the two songs?
When you’re ready, press the ‘Answer’ button to reveal a sample answer.
The sample from “Big Yellow Taxi” was cut shorter and changed to be looped on repeat. In “Got Til It’s Gone,” there is a different drumbeat underneath the singing part in a Hip Hop style. There is a sound of scratching at the end of the sample, which signifies it is being repeated and looped on a turntable.
In this section, we have explored three examples of sampling. These examples have demonstrated that sampling can be done in a variety of ways. Some ways include:
- taking the original melody, whether it is sung or instrumental and using it in the new song
- taking a background instrumental part and using it in the new song, with new parts overtop of it
- changing the tempo of the sample in the new song by either making it faster or slower
- looping the sample in the new song by repeating it
Did You Know?
Is sampling legal?
You may wonder how taking a part of someone else’s song is allowed. Sampling used from Chic’s “Good Times” for the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” led to legal action taken for copyright infringement. The original songwriters were not credited for their work. The case ended with the Sugarhill Gang having to credit Chic’s songwriters for their song “Rapper’s Delight.” Sampling is legal only if the artist gets permission from the owner of the song and the owner of the sound recording.
Go!
Exploring sampling
In this section, you will explore a song that uses sampling. You can select any song of your choice for this activity.
If you’d like, you can choose to explore the song “Are You My Woman?” by The Chi-Lites. Beyonce sampled “Are You My Woman” in her song “Crazy in Love.” As you examine the following clip, consider which parts or elements may be used as a sample.
Are You My Woman – The Chi-Lites
Now, examine the song “Crazy in Love” by Beyonce. This is the song that uses a sample from “Are You My Woman?” by The Chi-Lites. As you examine the clip, can you identify how the sample was used? What are the differences between the two songs?
Crazy in Love – Beyonce feat. JAY Z
You will use the “Connect, Extend, Challenge” method to guide your thinking. Using this method, you will consider the following three questions. Press each tab to learn more.
How is the sample connected to the original song? What are the similarities and/or differences from the original song?
What new ideas did you get that broadened your thinking or extended it in different directions with sampling?
What puzzles or questions emerge for you about this sample or sampling in general?
Record your ideas in the following fillable and printable Connect, Extend, Challenge document. You can also record your ideas using a different method of your choice.
Press the Activity button to access the Connect, Extend, Challenge.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)Consolidation
Putting it all together
Think about it
Now that you’ve explored sampling, use the following questions to reflect on how the innovation of sampling effects composers, performers, and audiences.
- What are different ways that sampling can be used in songs?
- Why do you think composers and musicians use sampling?
- What do you think are the pros and cons of sampling?
Use your responses to create a “Pros and Cons” list of sampling. On the pros side of the list, you will add all the positive outcomes of sampling. On the cons side, add the adverse outcomes.
You can record your ideas in the following fillable and printable Pros and Cons of Sampling document. You can also use another method to record your list.
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
If possible, share your “Pros and Cons” list with a partner.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel…
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.