Wicked

Question 1

Melody

Answer 1

Word setting is mainly syllabic
Melody has a wide range
Conjunct at the start
Later combines stepwise movements and big leaps
Vocalisation at the end
Legato
Ascending sequences at the beginning
Leaps often feature a perfect rising fifth
Word painting - melody goes up on ‘defying’ and down on ‘gravity’

Question 2

Harmony

Answer 2

Many chords are unrelated
Most chords are in root position
Some dissonance (I don’t want it)
Pedal note at the end
Tremolo
Ostinatos
Chromatic at some points, particularly at the start

Question 3

Texture

Answer 3

Mainly homophonic
Sparse texture in the intro
Elphaba and Glinda mostly sing separately, but sometimes in unison or harmony
Outro is polyphonic
There are sometimes repeating patterns in the accompaniment

Question 4

Structure

Answer 4

Verse -chorus form

Question 5

Metre + Tempo

Answer 5

There are frequent tempo changes
Rall. at the end
Song is mostly in 2/2
The intro is in 2/2, with bars of 3/2
‘Unlimited’ section is in 4/4

Question 6

Tonality

Answer 6

Mainly D major
Tonal ambiguity at the start
Finishes on a D major chord
Modulates to G major and B minor in some sections

Question 7

Rhythm

Answer 7

Frequent syncopation
Dotted rhythms (gravity)
Triplets - Link 1
Mostly crotchet and quaver rhythms, with longer notes at the ends of sections
Rests break up phrases

Question 8

Instruments

Answer 8

Duet between two singers
There are some spoken parts - ‘I hope you’re happy’
The song uses a large orchestra
Keyboards, drum kits and electric guitars give the piece a more modern feel
Synthesisers and glockenspiels create ‘magical sounds’
Cymbal roll builds excitement moving into the chorus
Tremolo builds tension
Stab chords increase agression