Defying Gravity - Stephen Schwartz

Question 1

Describe the structure of this piece.

Answer 1

Extended verse-chorus form that includes dialogue sections and vamps

Question 2

The tonality of this piece can be described to be ‘ambiguous’ True/False

Answer 2

True

Question 3

What keys are they choruses and the verses in? (tonality)

Answer 3

They are in major keys

Question 4

What key is the coda in? (tonality)

Answer 4

Minor key

Question 5

What types of chords are used in Defying Gravity,? Give four examples. (harmony)

Answer 5

• Major and Minor
• Flattened degrees of Db Major
• Half-diminished chords
• Augmented chords

Question 6

Give an example of an augmented chord that is heard in this piece. (harmony)

Answer 6

Sharpened 5th

Question 7

Give an example of a Half-diminished chord in this piece. (harmony)

Answer 7

Flattened 5th

Question 8

An example of augmented chord in this piece is Sharpened 5th TRUE/FALSE

Answer 8

TRUE

Question 9

What is the sonority of this piece?

Answer 9

full pit band and two lead vocals

Question 10

What do the classical orchestral instruments play along with?

Answer 10

Guitars ans synths

Question 11

Describe the three different types of percussion that can be heard in this piece? (sonority)

Answer 11

• Bell trees
• Chimes
• Finger cymbals

Question 12

State the three guitar techniques that can be heard in this extract. (sonority)

Answer 12

• Palm muting
• Delay
• Flanger

Question 13

Is this piece written for piano? (sonority)

Answer 13

NO

Question 14

Name two types of articulation that can be heard in this piece. (sonority)

Answer 14

• Marcato

- Legato phrases

Question 15

What does the accompaniment alternate between?(Rhythm an meter)

Answer 15

Chordal accompaniment and then alternates to driving quaver rhythms.

Question 16

There are syncopated rhythms TRUE/FALSE

Answer 16

TRUE

Question 17

What vocal technique can be heard in this song?(Rhythm an meter)

Answer 17

Vocal RUBATO

Question 18

What time signature dies this piece start in and what does it then move to?(Rhythm an meter)

Answer 18

2/2 and then 4/4 for most

Question 19

List the four different types of dynamics used in this piece.(Tempo and dynamics)

Answer 19

• pp
• fp
• ff
• sforzando

Question 20

Give two tempos that are seen in this piece.(Tempo and dynamics)

Answer 20

• Colla voce

- rit/rall. at the end of sections

Question 21

Give three textural features that can be heard in this piece.

Answer 21

• Homophonic for the most part
• Individual monophonic lines from the witches at the beginning
• Fully polyphonic in the choruses

Question 22

How many pitches is the melody based up of?

Answer 22

Five pitches

Question 23

State the two intervals that can mainly be heard in this piece.(melody)

Answer 23

Fourths and Fifths

Question 24

What is this piece mainly based off of?(melody)

Answer 24

Leitmotifs

Question 25

What do the 7 notes in the unlimited theme make reference to?(melody)

Answer 25

‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’