Red Stripe Ebony Steelband (Trinidad) Flashcards
How is ‘Yellow Bird’ an example of calypso music in terms of melody?
- Verse and chorus with a memorable memory
- Originally there would have been lyrics which were easy to follow. Slaves in sugar plantations would sing songs as they weren’t allowed to talk.
- Narrow range in the melody, indicating it originates from a song.
- Melody is diatonic.
- Sequences within the melody.
- Occasional dominant 7ths, added 6th and dominant 9th (bar 28-32).
- Melody is decorated (bar 28-30)
How is ‘Yellow Bird’ an example of calypso music in terms of structure?
-Repetition within each verse and chorus.
How is ‘Yellow Bird’ an example of calypso music in terms of tonality?
- Major (G)
- No modulations
How is ‘Yellow Bird’ an example of calypso music in terms of harmony?
-Simple harmony as it stays in G major. Chords change to primary chords (D and C major) which are all in root
position
-Passing Chromaticism.
-Steel pans in four pitch groups; tenor, second, cello and bass.
How is ‘Yellow Bird’ an example of calypso music in terms of rhythm and metre?
- 4/4 time with a natural duple pulse.
- Syncopated rhythms are continuously played by the drum kit and Latin percussion.
- Basses play rhythms associated with the tango. Latin American influence.
- Cellos play simple harmony that moves in minims and semibreves.
How is ‘Yellow Bird’ an example of calypso music in terms of texture?
- Call and response between parts.
- Homorhythmic.
How is ‘Yellow Bird’ an example of calypso music in terms of instrumentation?
-Instrumentation such as the bass-kettle and biscuit drum.
How is ‘Yellow Bird’ an example of communal music in terms of melody?
- Would originally have easy lyrics that anyone could sing.
- Taught by oral tradition rather than notated so people don’t have to be able to read music to join in.
- Melody is diatonic.
- Triadic and built on a single bar. Predictable phrases due to repetition and sequences.
- Narrow range in the melody, indicating it originates from a song.
- Homorhythmic with some decoration of the melody line.
How is ‘Yellow Bird’ an example of communal music in terms of harmony?
- Simple harmony as it stays in G major. Chords change to primary chords (D and C major) which are all in root position.
- Triadic and built on a single bar.
How is ‘Yellow Bird’ an example of communal music in terms of tonality?
- Major key of G major
- No modulations
How is ‘Yellow Bird’ an example of communal music in terms of structure?
- Structure is strophic with two bar phrases (ABAB).
- Repetition within each verse and chorus.
How is ‘Yellow Bird’ an example of communal music in terms of rhythm and metre?
-Simple 4/4 time so it would be easy for anyone to join in.
How is ‘Yellow Bird’ an example of communal music in terms of texture?
- Homorhythmic with some decoration of the melody line.
- Countermelody above the main tune on the reprise of the chorus. Participation of other parts rather than just one main melody line throughout.
- Partly layered texture as each instrument has its own consistent pattern.
How is ‘Yellow Bird’ an example of communal music in terms of instrumentation?
- Instrumentation was available for anyone as the bass-kettle drum was made from grease kettles. Pans are made out of oil drum and short sticks are padded with rubber bands.
- Partly layered texture as each instrument has its own consistent pattern.
How is ‘Yellow Bird’ an example of communal music in terms of historical context?
-Alexander Ford began ‘Alexander’s Ragtime Band’ which was established in order to bring people together and stop the violence.
