star wars

Question 1

name woodwind instruments used

Answer 1

flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon

Question 2

brass instruments used

Answer 2

french horn, trumpet, tuba, trombone

Question 3

percussion instruments used

Answer 3

timpani, triangle, tam-tam(gong), vibraphone, glockenspiel, cymbals, piano, celeste

Question 4

string instruments used

Answer 4

violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp

Question 5

when was star wars written

Answer 5

1977

Question 6

what is it used for

Answer 6

creates heroic leitmotif for luke skywalker

Question 7

describe tempo of star wars

Answer 7

fast tempo reflects mood of film

Question 8

time signature

Answer 8

4/4

Question 9

how is a heroic feel created

Answer 9

march like feel, dominant brass creates heroic feel, fanfare

Question 10

how is the main theme accompanied

Answer 10

using syncopated chords

Question 11

what happens when the spaceship appears

Answer 11

time signature changed to 3/4

Question 12

what is the main texture

Answer 12

homophonic

Question 13

describe the texture

Answer 13

homophonic, uses pedal textures like inverted tonic + dominant pedal

Question 14

describe the melody in the opening bars

Answer 14

begins with fanfare - rapid notes
creates heroic feel

Question 15

who plays the leitmotif

Answer 15

brass (trumpet)

Question 16

who plays the b section

Answer 16

the strings and it is scalic

Question 17

what creates the heroic feel in theme A

Answer 17

brass fanfare and rising perfect 5ths

Question 18

which musical devices create excitement and tension

Answer 18

triplets and minims

Question 19

describe the structure in star wars

Answer 19

uses AABA structure, after this it ‘follows the screen’

Question 20

describe dynamics in main theme

Answer 20

fortissimo

Question 21

describe the dynamics during section B (strings)

Answer 21

mezzo forte

Question 22

describe dynamics during piccolo section

Answer 22

piano, creates twinkly space-like feel

Question 23

describe tonality throughout piece

Answer 23

main theme is diatonic - accompanied with major and minor chords then becomes atonal and dissonant

Question 24

what key is it in

Answer 24

Bb major

Question 25

how does the music make it feel like space

Answer 25

use of instruments such as celeste and piccolo

high trills from the flute adds to eerieness

lengthening of the notes makes it feel ‘spacy’

constant rhythmic interest gives the feel of constantly moving

Question 26

describe melody during main theme

Answer 26

ostinato, ornamentation, conjunct and disjunct