Blowing Blue General Knowledge

Question 1

Who is the composer

Answer 1

Paul Harris

Question 2

When was he born?

Answer 2

1957

Question 3

Career?

Answer 3

Clarinet @ the Academy of Music
Music education University of London

Question 4

What nationality was he

Answer 4

English

Question 5

Achievements?

Answer 5

Teacher & composer plus more, 600+ works published

Question 6

Fully explain the title

Answer 6

“Blue” mellow mood, gently syncopated rhythms. Although not strictly a “blues” style it does have some characteristics associated with jazz and blues.

Question 7

Explain the time signature

Answer 7

4:4 time, common time

Question 8

Name the main key or tonality

Answer 8

C Major

Question 9

Where are the key changes?

Answer 9

Suggestions of D minor in b. 13-15 and G major in b. 16-17 but they aren’t fully established

Question 10

Name and explain the formal structure

Answer 10

Ternary (ABA) form

Question 11

Identify any recurring themes or other distinguishing features of each section

Answer 11

A1. 1-9: Main theme, C Major
A2. 9-12 Interlude - harmony moves in a circle of 5ths
B. 13-19 Episode - contrasting passage
A. 20-27 Return to main theme

Question 12

Name the style or period to which the piece belongs

Answer 12

Late 20th Century blues style

Question 13

Identify some characteristics typical of the style or period

Answer 13

Gently syncopated rhythms
Frequent use of 7th chords
Use of notes that are foreign to the key (flattened 3rds & 7ths)
Languid, unhurried feel
Grace note embellishments
Spontaneity & rhythmic flexibility

Question 14

Name other composers at the same time with similar style

Answer 14

James Rae, Mike Cornick, Pamela Wedgwood, Kerin Bailey, Christopher Norton

Question 15

What language are the terms in

Answer 15

Italian

Question 16

Andantino

Answer 16

at a walking pace, a little faster than andante

Question 17

con rubato

Answer 17

expressive rhythmic freedom

Question 18

expressivo

Answer 18

expressively

Question 19

poco a poco crescendo

Answer 19

gradually becoming louder, little by little

Question 20

a tempo

Answer 20

return to the former speed

Question 21

cresc.

Answer 21

gradually becoming louder

Question 22

riten.

Answer 22

hold back the speed, immediately slower

Question 23

ad libitum

Answer 23

freely (with artistic license)

Question 24

poco rall.

Answer 24

gradually becoming slower

Question 25

mezzo stoccato

Answer 25

moderately short & detached

Question 26

fermata

Answer 26

hold for longer than the written value

Question 27

triplet

Answer 27

three notes that are to be played in the time of two

Question 28

d = ca 60

Answer 28

indicates a suggested tempo of around 60 crotchet beats per minute

Question 29

acciaccatura “atsh-yak-a-TOO-ra”

Answer 29

crushed note

Question 30

acciaccature

Answer 30

The grace notes in b.6 form a written-out slide