samba em preludio

Question 1

describe the performing voices and their handling

Answer 1

1. low female voice using the chest register
2. some complex rhythms in the vocals (triplets and semiquavers)
3. rubato in the vocals
4. only instruments are voice, acoustic guitar and acoustic bass guitar

Question 2

describe the function of the bass

Answer 2

1. it is active and does more than simple playing the root of chords
2. it has a virtuosic solo at the start, featuring double-stopping, a mordent, a harmonic and fast semi-quavers
3. it provides counterpoint with the melody in verse 1

Question 3

describe the function of the acoustic guitar

Answer 3

1. In its accompanying role, the guitar plays a mixture of plucked chords and small melodic passages
2. the guitar plays a virtuosic solo

Question 4

describe the tonality of the piece

Answer 4

1. in B minor (reflects sad + romantic lyrics)
2. a minor key is typical of the Bossa nova style
3. there are no modulations, despite some complex harmony

Question 5

describe the texture of the piece

Answer 5

1. opening is monophonic apart from double stopping
2. most of the piece is melody-dominated homophony
3. verse 3 is polyphonic as the guitar plays the original melody underneath vocals

Question 6

describe the harmony of the piece

Answer 6

1. The harmony is tonal
2. The harmony shows jazz influence through extended and altered chords. The harmony is primarily based of sevenths.
3. There are some chromatic chords and notes.
4. Chord progressions allow chromatic descending movement in bass.

Question 7

describe the melody in verse 1 (A)

Answer 7

1. melody is syllabic.
2. ascending broken chords outline harmony.
3. the first note of each phrase descends by a semi-tone or tone in a long downward sequence.
4. verse A is made up of an 8-bar idea that is repeated but with a different ending.
5. all phrases have a span of a 7th, apart from the first which spans a minor 6th.
6. most leaps are thirds.

Question 8

describe the melody in verse 2 (B)

Answer 8

1. a 16-bar idea repeated with an adapted ending
2. movement is almost all conjunct - more like a typical melody rather than outlining chords

Question 9

describe the tempo, metre and rhythm of the piece

Answer 9

1. opening is free tempo, lacking an identifiable pulse.
2. verse 1 has a slow tempo and much rubato is used.
3. the tempo almost doubles when the Bossa-nova rhythm is introduced.
4. bass part in verse one is more syncopated.
5. free tempo returns at the end.