Star Wars Main Theme Flashcards
1
Q
Instrumental Features
A
- Theme is played by the full orchestra
- The main melody is played on trumpets for impact and grandeur
- The accompaniment is played by the rest of the orchestra with percussions emphasising the rhythms
- The main melody has chordal accompaniment played by the stringed instruments, brass and percussion instruments
- This chordal accompaniment still contains quartal chords such as in bars 5 and 6
2
Q
Harmonic features
A
- The section in Bbmaj as it is a positive major key of the brass instruments
- This chordal accompaniment still contains quartal chords such as in bars 5 and 6
- In bar 7 the dominant chord of F is heard before returning to the tonic chord of Bb
- The dominant chord of F is also reached at bar 11 to link to the central part of the Star Wars Theme
- This is known as dominant preparation by moving to the 5th dom chord it creates anticipation and therefore a sense of resolve when the harmony returns to the 1st
3
Q
Harmonic and Musical devices/features
A
- The long held Bb note in bars 4-6 played by the Tremelo strings is a tonic pedal
- As it is at the top of the musical texture it is called an inverted pedal(long held note, like a drone)
4
Q
Textural features
A
- The section has a very long and thick texture as the whole orchestra is playing
- As the theme contains melody and accompaniment it may be described as homophonic texture
5
Q
Rhythmic features
A
- Melody has many triplets, theme running from the opening fanfare
- The rhythm of the accompaniment could be described as very syncopated
- Syncopation adds energy and excitement to the music
6
Q
Dynamic features
A
- Marked ff (fortissimo)
- It is very loud and grand for impact
7
Q
Melodic features
A
- Forms contrasting melody by being more elegant and sweeping played on violins
- The melody also uses 4ths and 7ths
- Still contains positive leaps at the start of the stage
