Defying Gravity

Question 1

Describe the tempo in the opening section of the song.

Answer 1

Colla voce (free)

Question 2

What is the form (structure) of the song?

Answer 2

Verse-chorus form

Question 3

Describe how the voices are used in the opening section of the song.

Answer 3

Spoken dialogue & singing

Question 4

Describe what is heard before the vocals enter. This also happens before the next two phrases.

Answer 4

Orchestral stab chords

Question 5

The voice is alone at times in the opening section. What is the name of this texture?

Answer 5

Monophonic

Question 6

Describe how the accompaniment changes in bar 6 (“..hurt your cause forever: I hope you think you’re clever”).

Answer 6

Sustained chords

Question 7

Describe how most of the text is set.

Answer 7

Syllabic

Question 8

What effect is the guitar using in the opening section in bar 11 (“I hope you’re proud how you would ….)?

Answer 8

Overdrive

Question 9

The two singers join together in bar 15 (“So though I can’t…”) and sing the same melody line. What is this called?

Answer 9

Unison

Question 10

At the end of the opening section (bar 19) the singers hold the word “right” for longer than a crotchet. What is written in the music instructing them to do this?

Answer 10

A pause

Question 11

Describe what the brass instruments play in bar 20 (on the word “now!”).

Answer 11

A fanfare like figure

Question 12

What is the key in bars 20 & 21 where the voices sing “now!”?

Answer 12

B major

Question 13

What technique do the strings play in the verse 1?

Answer 13

Tremolando/tremolo

Question 14

What position are the chords in?

Answer 14

Root position

Question 15

What is the texture of the verses?

Answer 15

Melody & accompaniment or melody-dominated homphony

Question 16

What is the tempo marking in chorus 1?

Answer 16

Allegro = quick/lively

Question 17

Describe the melodic movement of the verses.

Answer 17

Combination of stepwise/conjunct movement with leaps (disjunct) that are quite big (angular)

Question 18

What does the hi hat play in chorus 1?

Answer 18

Crotchets on closed hi hat

Question 19

Describe the accompaniment in the chorus.

Answer 19

Broken chords with lower sustained chords

Question 20

What rhythmic device is sung on the words “Can’t I make you understand” in bar 60?

Answer 20

Triplet crotchets

Question 21

What rhythmic device is sung on the words “through accepting limits” in bars 63 & 64?

Answer 21

Syncopation

Question 22

What interval is between the words “the” and “rules” in the third phrase of verse 1 (bars 39 - 40)?

Answer 22

Compound perfect 4th (octave & 4th)

Question 23

How does the section that follows the 2nd chorus contrast with the previous section?

Answer 23

In G major with semiquaver ostinato accompaniment

Question 24

What is the tempo marking for the contrasting section that follows the 2nd chorus?

Answer 24

Moderator (moderate pace)

Question 25

In what key is Chorus 3?

Answer 25

D major (tonic key)

Question 26

Identify a feature of the accompaniment in chorus 3.

Answer 26

Strong quaver piano accompaniment

Question 27

Are the voices in unison or in harmony at the start of chorus 3?

Answer 27

Unison

Question 28

What is the tempo marking for chorus 3?

Answer 28

Allegro

Question 29

What happens to the tempo at the end of chorus 3?

Answer 29

It slows down (rallentando)

Question 30

Which instruments play a homophonic chordal accompaniment after chorus 3?

Answer 30

Brass

Question 31

What instrument adds excitement in bar 122 in the lead up to the key change?

Answer 31

Cymbal roll

Question 32

How does the song build to the climax at bar 129?

Answer 32

Full orchestra, loud/forte and homophonic chords

Question 33

What is the key for the finale (bars 162-177)?

Answer 33

B minor (relative minor)

Question 34

Identify the harmonic device played in the first 6 bars of the finale.

Answer 34

Tonic pedal note (B)

Question 35

What is the tempo marking for the finale?

Answer 35

Maestoso (majestically)

Question 36

What is the texture of the finale?

Answer 36

Contrapuntal (3 different musical ideas at the same time)

Question 37

In the finale, an extra part is added - what is this?

Answer 37

Ensemble singing in harmony

Question 38

Identify a rhythmic device used at the end to bring the song to a dramatic end.

Answer 38

Pause (fermata)

Question 39

How does the tempo change in the final bars of the song?

Answer 39

It slows down (rallentando)

Question 40

Describe Elphaba's final phrase.

Answer 40

Aah (vocalised/vocalisation)

Question 41

What chord does the piece end with?

Answer 41

D major (tonic)

Question 42

What rhythmic device is used to break up vocal phrases?

Answer 42

Rests

Question 43

Name the 2 instruments that play a high pitched repeated quaver accompaniment in chorus 4.

Answer 43

Synthesiser & glockenspiel

Question 44

Why is the tonality in the opening section ambiguous (unclear)?

Answer 44

Uses unrelated chord progressions (chords from different keys) and there is chromatic movement

Question 45

Describe the instrumentation of the song.

Answer 45

Large orchestra with a variety of percussion instruments and electric guitars

Question 46

Which percussion instrument give an ethereal sound in bar 147?

Answer 46

Tubular bells

Question 47

Which instruments create a magical-sound?

Answer 47

Synthesisers & glockenspiel

Question 48

Describe the range of the vocal parts.

Answer 48

Large - just under 2 octaves

Question 49

What defines the different sections within the song?

Answer 49

Tempo changes, contrasting keys & different melodies

Question 50

Where in the musical "Wicked" is this song performed?

Answer 50

At the end of the first act