Mr Disney (Thomas Newman)

Question 1

Describe the instrumentation. Make six points.

Answer 1

Upper strings play syncopated octave leaps in the opening bars. Sounds confident, like Mr Banks

Percussion such as snare drum give the piece a militaristic and authoritative feel to it

Harmonica plays stab note on beat three when tonality switches back to F major. Folk like

Horns play a repeating six note motif near the end. Gives a militaristic feel to the music

Strings play pizzicato notes during stabs on beats one and four near the end. Regarded as poised

Folk like harp is accented in the opening chord. Sounds cheerful and authoritative, like Mr Banks

Question 2

Describe the harmony/ tonality. Make three points.

Answer 2

In the key of F major throughout. Portrays a simple and cheerful character, which is Mr Banks

Emphasised by the extensive used of chords one, four and five as triads. Authoritative, like Mr Banks

Fifths and fourths are used excessively throughout. Sounds godly and cheerful, like Mr Banks

Question 3

Describe the texture. Make two points.

Answer 3

Shifts between homophonic and polyphonic ambiguously. This builds the excitement and the tension

Patchy short monophonic areas in opening between the stab chords. Shows simplicity of Mr Banks’ character

Question 4

Describe the rhythm/ tempo. Make four points.

Answer 4

Syncopated quaver chords played off beat, which gives it drive with chords on beats four and one

Conducted in simple quadruple time, but has a triple time feel to it. Displaces the rhythm

Upper strings play a rapid repeating two note figure as the accompaniment. Regarded as driving

Accented on beat three of the upper strings’ two note figure. Unsettles the rhythm, yet maintains the happy feel