Tupelo Honey By Van Morrison

Question 0

Van Morrison was born in Belfast but lived most of his life in America. Why is this significant for his music?

Answer 0

Heavy use of pentatonic scale

Celtic roots influences vocals (simple improv) & chords (simple)

Question 1

Describe the stylistic features which show that this song is an example of 1970’s rock ballad with influences from different styles of music.

Answer 1

• use of mainly 1 vocal line
• descriptive of real life ‘tupelo honey’ from where he was from
• pentatonic scale
• ballad often uses both acoustic and amplified instruments eg acoustic and electric guitar
• standard rock band line up eg;acoustic and electric guitar, drum kit, and bass guitar
• use of hook played by the flute in in the intro & then used in modified forms by the vocals in the verse and choruses
• slow tempo= typical rock ballad
• use of simple chord progression with use of only 4 chords

Question 2

What’s types is this song in, when was it written and what was its purpose?

Answer 2

Folk rock, 1971. Ballad

Title track for album

Question 3

What does the title refer to and what are the lyrics about?

Answer 3

‘Tupelo Honey” comes form Florida where he once lived

Question 4

Instrumentation?

Answer 4

Male lead vocals, 
male backing vocals
Flute
Piano
Organ
Tenor sax
Electric guitar
Acoustic guitar
Bass guitar
Drum kit
Vibraphone

Question 5

Structure?

Answer 5

Intro (4bars)
Verse 1
Chorus
Verse 2 
Chorus 
Instrumental (16 bars) 
Verse 3
Chorus
Middle 8- coda 1 (16 bars) 
Verse 4
Chorus
Chorus-coda 2
Coda.

Question 6

Key?

Answer 6

Bb major. No modulation

Question 7

Chord sequence?

Answer 7

A(Bb Dm/A Eb Bb)
B(Bb Dm/A Eb F)
A
A

Question 8

Cadences in end of section A & B of chords?

Answer 8

A- Eb -> Bb plagal

B- Eb -> F imperfect

Question 9

Harmonic rhythm or harmonica pace of the song?

Answer 9

2 chords per bar.

Question 10

Chords used in introduction

Answer 10

Section A of chords repeated

Question 11

Flute introduces main hook in intro how is this used by lead vocals later on?

Answer 11

Bar 5 based on the D F&G

Question 12

Bb major pentatonic scale?

Answer 12

Bb C D F G

Question 13

Main features of lead vocal part

• phrase shape and length
• motifs
• rhythm
• range
• climax points

Answer 13

Complex
Lots of retardation
Climax -Bb in coda.

Question 14

Lots of different melodies being played together eg in b 21-28. Texture?

Answer 14

Counterpoint

Question 15

Describe characteristics of bass guitar part?

Answer 15

Repeated rhythm with the odd chromatic notes

Notes often root note of the chord

Question 16

Tupelo very long so how does VM sustain interest?

Answer 16

Backing vocals
Use of dynamics
Structure varied
Improvised

Question 17

In the outro b.53-56 what happens in terms of harmony and melody.

Answer 17

Same as intro section A of chords repeated. (Bb Dm/A Eb Bb) AND flute comes back

Question 18

Different genres are used to influence song. Folk jazz rock soul how?

Answer 18

Folk- use of pentatonic, flute, simplicity of only 4 chords, no key change and acoustic guitar
Jazz- improvisation,length,sax,sax improv solo
Soul- vocals backing and lead, use of retardation, piano and organ
Rock- guitar solo, rhythm section