Graceland Flashcards
1
Q
Melody
A
- Constantly changing melodic shape. (First and second chorus similar lyrics different melody).
- Free syncopated melody
- Outlines harmony (E major)
- Disjunct upbeat and descending conjunct melody
- Falling major 3rd motif “Graceland”
- Forward momentum because written in a syllabic way (melisma only when talking about heartache)
2
Q
Form and Structure
A
Verse and chorus form (pop music).
3
Q
Tonality
A
- E major
- No modulation
- Intro just E major chord
- Diatonic (1,2,4,5 sometimes 6)
- No final cadence (Fade out) (Ongoing journey)
4
Q
Harmony
A
- Primary chords (American pop/folk music)
- Ray Phiri minor chords
- Slow harmonic rate (every 4 bars)
- Imperfect cadences before chorus to “drive” into chorus
5
Q
Sonority (players)
A
- Paul Simon - Lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Ray Phiri - Electric guitar
- Demola Adepji - Pedal steel guitar
- Bakithi Kumalo - Fretless bass
- Vusi Kumalo - Drum kit
- Makhaya Mahlanga - Percussion (Shaker, Clave, Bongos)
- Everly Brothers - Backing Vocals
6
Q
Sonority (styles)
A
- American folk/rock style and traditional African style instrument combination
- guitar accompaniment changes 2nd/3rd chorus
- instruments mostly stay the same throughout
- bass riff country style
- glissando on bass - African melodic style
7
Q
Texture
A
- Melody and accompaniment (American): guitar melody at beginning then vocals, backing vocals by Everly Brothers (2nd 3rd chorus and losing love)
- Call and response (African): between guitar and lead vocals
8
Q
Tempo
A
- Moderato
- Unchanging
- (cruise control on road trip)
9
Q
Metre
A
- 4/4 (Pop music)
10
Q
Rhythm
A
- Syncopation
- Triplets and dotted rhythms
- Instrumental bars
11
Q
Dynamics
A
- mf
- little variation
- slight increase in volume into 2nd chorus (backing vocals)
- fade out at the end
