Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes Flashcards
What is the context behind DOTSOHS
Superficial level- relationship between a rich girl and a poor boy
Inequality of poor and rich- refers to africa and the exploitation of wealth in the diamonds industry
In the past diamonds were smuggled out of South Africa in the heels of soles of shoes
What are the instruments and sonority used
Djembe- perminant sonority in african music- produces variety of tones
Alto and tenor saxophone
How is the structure and form in DOTSOHS
Pop song structure
Many instrumental breaks however and the chorus isn’t catchy or exciting as traditional use is
Extended unaccompanied intro by LBM
What is the tonality like in DOTSOHS
Mainly major- African music doesn’t contain minor keys
E Major- diatonic- rises one semitone to f major after 34 bars- unusual since let’s are very unrelated
What is the melody like in the opening of DOTSOHS
Simple and repetitive- range of minor 7th
Distinctive leap of a perfect 4 between B and E
What is the melody like in the verses and chorus of DOTSOHS
Irregular melodic shape which is mostly syllabic however occasional melisma on “diamonds” to emphasise it
Lyrics are rhythmically difficult to notate
What is the melody like in the chorus in DOTSOHS 2
Melisma on “oooo” sung in a falsetto voice
Outro- repetititive with inprivisation
What is the harmony like im DOTSOHS
Extensive use of primary triads- African tradition
Extended e major chord at the beginning
Perfect, imperfect and plagal cadences- after key change from E to F harmonic rhythm gets quicker
What is the texture like in DOTSOHS
A Capella- Isicathamiya in opening bars
Homophonic and melody and accompaniment
Call and response in “empty as a pocket”
What is Tempo metre and rhythm like in DOTSOHS
Moderato Tempo- faster after intro
4/4 time sig with single 2/4 bar
Swung quavers and speech like rhythms
Syncopation
What is the dynamics and articulation like in DOTSOHS
Gradual increase in dynamics as song progresses
Drop in dynamics for outro and fade-out in the end
Legato articulation verse and chorus in narrative style
