Fusions - Shankar - Burn - STRUCTURE

Question 1

What is the basic structure of Burn?

Answer 1

Burn is based on the verse-chorus form

This is a common feature of Western pop music

Question 2

What features of Burn show western vs indian influences

Answer 2

Western music features:
- verse -chorus structure

Question 3

Burn - Introduction

Answer 3

• 29 bars
• first 2 bars - sitar and string basses with C# (tonic) bass
• THEN extended theme for strings with sitar
• THEN more forceful and more fully scored 8-bar passage

Question 4

Burn - Verse 1

Answer 4

“Dancing”

• 8-bar verse in 2 x 4-bar phrases
• each phrase has 2 similar 2-bar phrases

Question 5

Burn - Chorus 1

Answer 5

“Dance with me”

• 8-bar chorus (2 x similar 4-bar phrases)
• 3-fold repetition of 1-bar pattern with linking phrase (“Search with me”)

Question 6

Burn - Bridge

Answer 6

Saranghi solo

• independent of verse and chorus
• 8 bars
• 2 x similar and repetitive 4-bar phrases

Question 7

Burn - Verse 2

Answer 7

“Falling”

• similar to verse 1 BUT differently scored
• “your eyes” - 4-bar extension to verse 1
• uses string melody from bar 3 with different harmonies
• vocals now in 3rds

Question 8

Burn - Verse 3

Answer 8

“Dancing”

• same vocal melody and words as verse 1 BUT differently scored
• 8-bar instrumental ‘interruption’ for sitar and strings (provides harmonic and tonal contrast

Question 9

Burn - Chorus 2

Answer 9

First and second time endings

• first time = partial repeat of “your eyes” phrase
• 6-fold repetition of a new string motif incl modal Bb
• chord at end of chorus keeps things open for coda

Question 10

Coda

Answer 10

• New timbres - flute and cello

- closes out of key on open 5ths in D