E.T Flying Theme - John Williams.

Question 1

What is the structure of E.T?

Answer 1

Introduction: 1-8.
A x2.
B - transition - 25.
A2 - dominant - 34.
B2 - 42.
A x2 - tonic - 55.
Coda - 69.
Rondo-like structure.

Question 2

What is the tonality of ET? 7 keys

Answer 2

Tonic C major - innocence/childlike.
Transition - fluid tonality - triads.
B/Gmj - 25/28.
Eb mj - 29 (tertiary).
Followed by F#m, Dm and Bb mj.
Gmj dominant - 34.
A return - tonic - 55.

Question 3

What is the instrumentation of E.T.? 12

Answer 3

1. Traditional symphony orchestra.
2. Bells, percussion and piano.
3. Double bass - pizzicato.
4. Solo flute/reduced accompaniment - transition.
5. Trumpets add strength - 34.
6. Timp role - theme return - 32.
7. Coda - solo trumpet doubled by flute - 81/82.
8. x2 cymbal crashes - 55.
9. Woodwind/strings melody mostly in octaves.
10. Brass/piano - supportive/chordal.
11. Piano - motor - quavers.
12. Strings tremolo - 46.

Question 4

What is the rhythm of E.T? 5

Answer 4

1. Continuous quaver movement - drive.
2. Double bass - tenuto on the 3rd beat - 10.
3. Homorhymic introduction.
4. Viola plays semi quavers.
5. Sextuplets - 78 coda.

Question 5

What is the metre and other of E.T? 3

Answer 5

1. Metre change - 9: 2/2 to 3/2.
2. Coda rallentando - 68.
3. Faster tempo - 70.

Question 6

What makes it memorable? 8

Answer 6

1. Ascending ‘heroic’ 5th interval.
2. Main motifs - A and B.
3. Simple rhythms - minims.
4. Triadic main tune - Cmj.
5. Sequences.
6. Traditional orchestration with bells.
7. Tonic/dominant harmony - added simple chromaticism.
8. 8 bar ideas with 2 bar phrasing.

Question 7

What is the melody of E.T? 12

Answer 7

1. Introduction - 4 note ostinato.
2. 8 bar idea with 2 bar phrasing.
3. A - ascending 5th sequence.
4. Tonic triad in the melody.
5. Widening of open octaves.
6. Ends on a major 7th - 15.
7. Motivic - 25.
8. Often with same rhythm - double dotted.
9. Outlines common chords.
10. Countermelody - 18.
11. Chromaticism - 25.
12. Minor 3rd - 14.

Question 8

What is the texture of E.T? 7

Answer 8

1. Triple octave doubling: 9-16.
2. Repeated FT reduced to violins only.
3. Countermelody - 18.
4. Horn imitation - 63.
5. Melody dominated homophony.
   6 Brass/piano - chordal support.
6. Homorhythmic - 8 bar introduction.

Question 9

What is the harmony of ET? 10

Answer 9

1. I - V7 diatonic introduction.
2. Dominant 7th with suspended 4th - introduction.
3. Added 9th - 2.
4. Octave doubling - 9.
5. F#s in the melody - Lydian mode in Cmj.
6. Articulated dominant pedal - cello - 34.
7. Tonic double bass pedal - 85.
8. Transition - non-functional harmony.
9. Diminished 7th - 33.
10. Eb bass/C discord - 74 - false relations.