Star Wars

Question 1

Melody

Answer 1

Fanfare - rapid repeated notes
Leitmotifs
Descending scale at the end of the B theme
7th intervals in the fanfare
Both conjunct and disjunct
Scalic - B section
Some anacrusi
Main theme contains a perfect rising fifth - heroic

Question 2

Harmony

Answer 2

Mostly diatonic
Few perfect cadences
Harmony is complicated and can feel atonal
Chords are syncopated
Descending bassline
Dissonance
Tremolo
Strange, unsettling harmonies created by mixing unrelated chords
Some basslines play in two different keys
Quartal harmony at the beginning
Inverted tonic pedal on the violins at the beginning
Dominant pedal in the B section
Tonic pedal at the end

Question 3

Texture

Answer 3

Mainly homophonic
Many thick textures, with a few moments of lighter textures
Main theme is accompanied by block chords or arpeggios

Question 4

Structure

Answer 4

Main theme uses an AABA structure
After that, the music follows the action on-screen

Question 5

Metre + Tempo

Answer 5

Fast tempo - builds excitement
4/4 metre
Steady tempo gives a march-like feel
3/4 metre at the end
Tempo changes during the rebel blockade runner section to emphasise action

Question 6

Tonality

Answer 6

Main theme is in Bb major
Tonal ambiguity during the rebel blockade runner section
Much dissonance when the spaceships appear
Later parts are in C major

Question 7

Rhythm

Answer 7

Many triplets
Both themes use an anacrusis
Syncopated block chords in the main theme

Question 8

Instruments

Answer 8

Full symphony orchestra
Much doubling of parts
Solo piccolo in the RBR section