Burn Baby Burn

Question 1

Pop punk features (4)

Answer 1

• The limited range of harmonies
• simple repeated melodic fragments
• fast driving tempo
• aggressive guitar chords with frequent distortion

Question 2

Rock features of this piece (4)

Answer 2

• The basic verse/chorus structure
• loud guitar-based sound,
• improvised lead guitar solos
• final “power chord”

Question 3

Punk rock features (6)

Answer 3

• Lyrics are often based on political or anti-establishment views
• music is fuelled by fast- paced drumming
• distorted guitars
• shouting/screaming vocals
• with a regional accent
• simple chord progressions

Question 4

Tonality

Answer 4

B major but finishes in E major.

Question 5

Composer

Answer 5

Ash

Question 6

Order of instrument entry (4)

Answer 6

• Vague mixture of synthesised sounds which pan between the left and right channels.
• Lead guitar riff which mainly oscillates in quavers between D# and B.
• Bass guitar riff added.
• Drum fill introduces the entry of the full band

Question 7

How many bars and chords in the opening?

Answer 7

the 2-bar chord pattern: B/E/C#/F#.

Question 8

Time signature

Answer 8

4/4

Question 9

Describe verse 1 (5)

Answer 9

• The accompaniment is reduced to bass guitar and drums.
• Melody based on a 2-bar motif which is repeated 3 times.
• A striking discord occurs on “never been satisfied”.
• Same melody with different lyrics but guitar chords have been added.
• Discord now coincides with “burn baby burn”.

Question 10

Describe chorus (3)

Answer 10

• The harmonies (F#m/B - E/A) and to a large extent the melody to create a descending sequence
• Vocal harmony is nearly all in parallel 3rds.
• Accompaniment stops completely on 3rd playing of this 4-bar phrase and the chorus ends differently.

Question 11

Instrumentation (3)

Answer 11

• Synthesiser, electric guitar (lead), rhythm guitar, Bass guitar, drums, vocals. Effects (opening panning of synthesised sounds,)
• Improvised guitar solos and final ‘power chord’ typical of rock genre. Lead guitar riff oscillates between D# and B providing colour to the opening
• An improvised solo on the drum kit present in the fill/break precedes the entry of the full band and used to highlight important points in the structure of the song.

Question 12

Melody (3)

Answer 12

• Mainly stepwise movement around a few central pitches – e.g. B/C# in the verse section, based on a 2 bar motif
• Repetition and syncopation are also used with adaptions to the melody in the second verse
• Different melody and softer dynamics create contrast in the middle 8 section

Question 13

Harmony (3)

Answer 13

• Use of open chords (no thirds) the harmonic language is restricted. Begins in B major but ends in E major, the subdominant chord
• Power chords are typical of their style. The song is in B major but ends in E. Added guitar chords in verse 1 include E with both major and minor third included for dissonance and A and Bb against C sharp minor.
• The harmonies (F#m/B - E/A) and to a large extent the melody to create a descending sequence. Vocal harmony is nearly all in parallel 3rds.

Question 14

Structure

Answer 14

• Strophic form (verse chorus) with intro, instrumental Links and a middle 8.