Analysis Considerations

Question 1

Style / Period

Answer 1

does the work or section fall into a standard “template”?

Question 2

Use of thematic or motivic materials

Answer 2

is there a unifying motive? is there an intervallic sequence that has structural significance?

Question 3

Harmonic Overview

Answer 3

Tonal? Pre tonal? Post Tonal? Harmonic language - chordal analysis or general decription?

Question 4

Rhythmic Overview

Answer 4

Distinguishing rhythmic features

Question 5

Growth / Development / Pacing

Answer 5

Consider how the composer creates and resolves tension

Question 6

Texture

Answer 6

consider common textures; homorhythmic, poyphonic/contrapuntal, melody and accompaniment, always describe the texture

Question 7

Golden Ratio

Answer 7

each subsequent number is the sum of the previous numbers; build up is 2/3 of a piece of music and release from climax is last third

Question 8

planing

Answer 8

a series of chords presented in the same inversion

Question 9

freely tonal

Answer 9

music that derives stability through menas other than traditional tonic-dominant relationships. This may be achieved through focus on (by repetition of) a tone, chord or scale.

Question 10

scalar basis

Answer 10

a scale or mode is one component that generates harmonic and melodic materials. Examples : Debussy’s use of church modes, pentatonic and whole tone scales; Bartok’s use of “synthetic” scales; Stravinsky’s use of octatonic scale

Question 11

foreground

Answer 11

most important or most prominent material

Question 12

midground

Answer 12

accompaniment, secondary supporting material

Question 13

background

Answer 13

harmonic other supporting material