Don't You Worry Bout A Thing Flashcards
Explain what happens at the end of the verse in terms of harmony.
Fb#11 chord which acts as a tritone sub of the dominant in the verse (which is in Ebminor). The next chord is in the chorus, and is a Gb major chord - we modulate to the relative major. Therefore this chord acts as an interrupted cadence, but instead of the chord 5, it is substituted. Also an example of a complex extension.
Give an example of a clear cadence in the chorus. (II-V-I)
Abmaj7, Db11,Gb(add2). Happens halfway through the chorus (on bar 5). Is an example of a clear 2 5 1, but we have extensions and also a major chord two - non diatonic harmony.
Explain the harmony of the post chorus.
Gb,F,E,Eb,D,Db,Gb(add2). Chromatically descending and non diatonic harmony, yet still ends in clear V-I perfect cadence.
What happens to the tonality?
Verses + bridge in Ebm. (But passing modulation to Cb in fourth and fifth bar of verse)
Chorus and post choruses in relative major - Gb major
How is the syncopation typical of Latin?
Chord changes and bass drum pushed ahead of beats 1 and 3. So on +of2 and +of4. Bass line plays to these rhythms too, and the melody emphasises these aswell.
How is percussion used to ground the piece?
Cowbell and shaker crotchets.
What does the drum kit play in the post chorus?
MASSIVE OFFBEAT HI HATS
Describe the rhythm of the melody.
Conversational style rhythms (very much highlighted as piece begins with Spanish freestyle vocals). Emphasises pushed Latin rhythm.
Describe the melody briefly.
4 bar phrases in verse. Mostly diatonic outlining chord tones and emphasising pushed 1 and 3.
A few chromatic notes used sparingly for colour.
Give an example of chromaticism in the melody.
Abmaj7 halfway through chorus is anticipated with Gb,F,E then lands on Eb when the Ab chord is played. Chromatic descending line and appogiatura.
What happens in the bridge section melody?
Descending pentatonic sequence sung melismatically and with a high tessatura, emphasising the pushed 2 and 4.
Give an example of the melody outlining the chords.
Cmaj7 arpeggio on ‘having’ at end of verse sung melismatically
Describe the melody of the instrumental verse
‘Ba bum ba bum’ is layered with backing vocals which sing the melody starting after the main melody. This feels like a round and has a quasi canonic effect due to the imitation.
Describe the sonority.
Relatively typical Latin lineup:
Bass plays chord tones emphasising the pushed 1 and 3
Keys play a chords with a few flourishes in vocal melody spaces
Drum kit + percussion such as shaker, cowbell and cabasa
What are the more unusual/interesting sections of the piece?
Post chorus - chromatic descending section
Bridge - sequential and melismatic ‘thiiiinnngggg’
Instrumental/‘ba-bum’ verse
Outro - bridge section (thiiiing) + repeat and fade
