Africa Flashcards
1
Q
When was it composed
A
- 1981 composed
- released in 1982
2
Q
Who wrote it
A
David Paich and Jeff Porcaro
3
Q
Instruments
A
- singers: lead male, backing male
- guitars: electric, bass, 12-string acoustic
- drum kit
- lots of additional percussion
4
Q
Tempo
A
Moderate tempo/andante
5
Q
Dynamics
A
- mainly mf
- chorus f
6
Q
Tonality
A
Mostly major
7
Q
Harmony
A
- diatonic chords
- use of pentatonic scales
8
Q
Melody and pitch
A
- larger range -written score b—a
- improvisation on recording b—e
9
Q
Rhythm and metre
A
- 2 minims per bar
- called split common time
10
Q
Texture
A
Homophonic - melody and accompaniment
11
Q
Riff A
A
- all root position chords
- syncopated and on beat rhythms
- dotted rhythm
12
Q
Riff B
A
- quavers in parallel 4ths
- B major pentatonic scale
- 5 note pattern creates syncopation & cross-rhythms
- sustained chord in harmony
- ostinato-like
13
Q
Intro
A
- looped
- layered texture
- ostinato
- polyrhythms
- played on a synth
- call and response between riff A and riff B
- also playing riff A: bass guitar and marimba
14
Q
Verse 1
A
- B major
- 9-bar phrase, heard nearly 4 times (only 8 bars the last time)
- homophonic
- mf
- mainly conjunct melody and syncopated
- syllabic but with melisma at end of phrase 1
- riff a is heard at the end of every phrase
15
Q
Choruses 1&2
A
- a major
- 4 bar phrase heard 4 times (longer the last time)
- diatonic harmony
- homophonic
- live drums added to loop
- very narrow range
- conjunct melody and syncopated
- syllabic but with long melisma at end of phrase 4
16
Q
Verse 2
A
- B major
- 9-bar phrase heard 3 times
- homophonic
- recorder has a counter melody
- conjunct and syncopation
- low register
- riff A heard at the end of every phrase
17
Q
Recorder counter melody in verse 2
A
- descends
- conjunct
- 1-note per bar/every 2 beats
- begins on tonic
- splits into harmony at end of each phrase
18
Q
Instrumental phrase 1
A
- based on riff b
- notes fall in groups of 3
- B major pentatonic scale
- intervals of 3rds and 4ths
- descending
19
Q
Instrumental phrase 2
A
- more rhythmic variety
- triplets
- ascends and descends
- based on e major scale
20
Q
Instrumental phrase 3
A
- grace notes/ acciacaturas
- ascending melody
- B major pentatonic
- mixture of 4ths and 3rds
21
Q
Chorus 3
A
- a major
- 4-bar phrase heard 8 times
- diatonic harmony at end
- thicker texture
- in last 4 phrases, theres an audio al improved vocal sung over the top in a very high register
22
Q
Outro
A
- repeats riff A and riff B and fades out
- bass guitar plays riff a
- texture gradually thins, as instruments stop playing, to leave just the percussion loop with the marimba playing the bass line from riff a and the synth playing riff b
23
Q
Chord pattern of chorus
A
vi, IV, I, V
24
Q
where is there a 2nd inversion chord
A
8
25
Q
Where is there a root position chord
A
42
