Esperanza Spalding: Samba Em Prelúdio

Question 1

Instrumentation

Answer 1

• low pitched female voice
• acoustic guitar
• acoustic bass guitar

Question 2

Dynamics

Answer 2

-The dynamics are consistent throughout the music and performed at mezzo piano (mp)

Question 3

Structure

Answer 3

introduction
verse 1
linking section
verse 2
guitar solo
voice and bass guitar duet
coda

Question 4

Melody

Answer 4

• the verse 1 melody phrases often begin with a triad movement with a descending sequence
• the vocal melody in verse 2 uses almost completely stepwise movement
• both melodies employ a flattened fifth
• the text setting is syllabic

Question 5

Texture

Answer 5

• the monophonic opening bass introduction (the bass has a solo part here)
• after the introduction the texture changes to melody and accompaniment
• the voice and bass duet section is polyphonic

Question 6

Metre and rhythm

Answer 6

• the opening of the song is in free time
• the piece is written in 4/4, but it can sound like 2/2
• verse 1 is slow with rubato
• verse 2 has a bossa nova tempo (about 140 bpm)
• the coda is also in free time
• the melodies are syncopated, triplet based and are developed into cross-rhythms in the final verse

Question 7

Tonality, sonority and harmony

Answer 7

• the song is in the key signature of B minor
• advanced bass guitar techniques, including double stopping, mordents and harmonics
• chords have been developed with added extensions, diminished notes, such as flattened fifths, and chromatic chords (i.e. chords from outside of the key of B minor)