Ripples In The Rockpool Flashcards
Modal
The melody is in the re mode (the piece is based around the tonic note b-re in a major)
Instrumentation
As well as standard orchestral instruments the piece features the uilleann pipes and Irish harp, guitar, piano and conga drums.
These instruments reflect the themes of Ireland and the sea life of the pirate queen.
Changing time signatures
The time signature changes throughout the piece creating a restless,turbulent mood.
This reflects grainne mhaols seafaring life and the turbulent political claim in Ireland at the time.
Word painting
The music reflects the meaning of the lyrics “and the wind is surely rising” flutes and clarinets play a rising scale idea.
Sequences
The first bar of the verse melody is repeated a tone lower in the second bar.
Syncopation
The strings play a syncopated rhythm during the chorus which adds to the dramatic mood.
Introduction
Violins play repeated semi quavers and cellos play a drone on b and f sharp.
This creates a mood of tension and expectation.
Verses
Features a sequence- the first bar of the melody is repeated a tone lower than the second bar.
The melody is in the re mode.
The melody features changing time signatures adding to a restless mood.
Verse 4 features word painting.
The instrumentation and voices vary from verse to verse.
Chorus
Changing time signatures.
Syncopated strings accompaniment in some choruses.
Insturementation and voices vary from chorus to chorus.
Final chorus features loud dynamics and abrupt ending.
Bridge
The bridge sections link the other sections together.
They do not feature the singers.
They feature an accented motif with grace notes.
The dance section
Uilleann pipes play lively energetic reel.
Changing time signature.
Semiquaver triplets.
Short melodic motifs on woodwind.
