Release

Question 1

When was the “Afro Celt Sound System” band formed? When was this piece released?

Answer 1

-1995
-1999

Question 2

what rhythmic technique is used and what culture does it come from?

Answer 2

-polyrhythmic
-Africa

Question 3

what two instruments create the polyrhymic sense?

Answer 3

accordian and bohdran

Question 4

what is the metre at the beginging

Answer 4

there is no set metre

Question 5

whats the best way of describing the structure of this song?

Answer 5

-strophic form (traditional form of celtic music)
-(repeating A section)

Question 6

how long are the phrases that the sections are split into?

Answer 6

8 bar phrases

Question 7

what is the melodic part made up of? (everything else is the accompaniment)

Answer 7

-2 vocalists
-solo instruments

Question 8

which note does the melody line focus around?

Answer 8

C

Question 9

what African instruments are featured in this piece?

Answer 9

-Kora
-talking drum

Question 10

what celtic instruments are featured in this piece?

Answer 10

-uilleann pipes
-bodhraan
-tin whistle
-fiddle
-accordion
-hurdy-gurdy

Question 11

what is a hurdy-gurdy?

Answer 11

plays a drone that forms part of the rhythm section

Question 12

what are the influences of pop on the instrumentation?

Answer 12

-synths
-bass guitar
-drum kit

Question 13

what languages do the vocals include?

Answer 13

-spoken male African voice in Maninka
-female line sung in English
-male singing in Gaelic

Question 14

what is the texture of this piece?

Answer 14

-mainly homophonic and is built up

Question 15

as this piece is ……… the sounds and parts are layered

Answer 15

multitracked

Question 16

what can the key be described as?

Answer 16

its neither major or minor - it is modal which is common in many other folk pieces

Question 17

what mode is this song in?

Answer 17

the C Aeolian mode and during the uileann pipe solo its in C Dorian mode

Question 18

how can the harmony in this song be described?

Answer 18

static - although certain chords are suggested, they are never fully realised

Question 19

How can the improvisations be described?

Answer 19

Fast moving, scalic

Question 20

Which culture are drones from?

Answer 20

Celtic

Question 21

What is the word setting?

Answer 21

Syllabic

Question 22

What western instruments are used?

Answer 22

-electric guitar
-keyboard
-bass guitar