Something's Coming

Question 1

When was this composed?

Answer 1

1957

Question 2

Describe the instrumentation

Answer 2

Solo tenor, accompanied by a band

Question 3

How does the accompaniment stay below the volume of the singer?

Answer 3

Using quiet dynamics, soft timbres (muted trumpets, pizz), and with a homophonic texture

Question 4

Describe the first melodic theme

Answer 4

Quiet, syncopated, opening

Question 5

Describe the second melodic theme

Answer 5

Loud, strident, in 2/4, starts bar 21

Question 6

Describe the third melodic theme

Answer 6

Lyrical, slow-moving, starts bar 73

Question 7

Describe the metre

Answer 7

Changes between 3/4 and 2/4

Question 8

How is a feeling of anticipation and excitement created?

Answer 8

Changing time signature, fast tempo, frequent syncopation

Question 9

How are cross rhythms created at the beginning?

Answer 9

On-beat bass part & off-beat chords

Question 10

What is the key signature of this piece?

Answer 10

Begins in D major, 2 sections are in C major

Question 11

How is the tritone created?

Answer 11

Frequent use of sharpened fourth and flattened seventh

Question 12

What is the singer’s last note?

Answer 12

Flattened seventh. Creates sense of expectation and sounds incomplete

Question 13

Describe the harmony

Answer 13

Tonal, jazz-influenced, frequent 7th chords and added note chords

Question 14

Describe the texture

Answer 14

Harmonic. Repeated riff, short, syncopated chords, fast um-cha accompaniment alternate