Previous exam question student response and feedback: Flap Down Down Down from 2011 Describe ways the performers have interpreted expressive elements of music to create character in this performance. In your answer you may refer to the following: - tone colour - balance of music parts/lines - melodic/rhythmic ornamentation Tone Colour: The plucked, twangy tone colour of the percussively used banjo, the breathy trumpet and bright, smooth double bass work together to create a busy, energized and excited sound. J Gillan: To answer the question Id use the words of the question - creates a busy, energised Character rather than sound. If you were referring to tone colour though, busy and energised are not tone colour words, theyre character words. Careful you dont get them mixed up. Its a common mistake. Throughout the verse, the deep, resonant double bass creates a mysterious and somewhat sneaky, creeping feel, J Gillan: Again Id say character rather than feel - use words in the question. Id also consider your character words sneaky and creeping could probably be replaced by something a little more sophisticated. which is contrasted with the bright twang of the banjo and interjections by the cutting but playful improvisatory trumpet which adds to the cheeky, mischievous and unpredictable character. J Gillan: playful is not a tone colour word. Also, Im not sure youve decided on the character very clearly. It seems youve changed your mind with every example. You dont have to have one, you can have a few characters, but you need to state how they change if they change. Maybe give a summary of character to start then give egs. The use of light, soft and clean xylophone in the recurring descending motif adds a childlike, humorous element to the piece’s overall character. Jenn Gillan: Good things - your use of tone colour words!! Youve used a lot and every time youve mentioned an instrument youve given tone colour words. Its a bit meandering but youve made some great points. Id just sharpen up your character words and be careful not to mix character words with tone colour words. Balance of musical parts/lines: The piece begins with all instruments playing a descending motif in unison- a recurring motif throughout the piece, which highlights the theme ‘Down, down, down’- and the tone colour is dominated by the playful, cheeky xylophone and breathy, cutting trumpet, all of which add to its busy, energized character. J Gillan: Youve repeated yourself here but I dont think itll get you extra points. To complete this point I think youre trying to say that the tone colour brings these instruments forward in the balance but I dont think you quite get there. Again, use the language of the exam to answer the question. As the introduction progresses into a verse, the double bass carries an active bass line which sounds on the 1st which sounds on the 2nd which adds further excitement and a frantic element to the character. Jenn Gillan: I dont quite know what you mean here... You need to outline the role of the parts here and say where it is in the mix - I usually use foreground mid-ground and background as words to describe where it is in the mix. This foundation is embellished with sporadic, improvisatory phrases by the trumpet, which adds to the playful drama of the piece. The frequent interjections of the descending motif, which all instruments perform in unison, create an image which emphasizes and correlates with the lyrics ‘down, down, down, I fell down again,’ working well with the melody and lyrics and yet showing an obvious contrast between the laid-back, casual tone of the singer and the frantic, excited character of the instruments. Jenn Gillan: But what is the role of these instruments in the blend? Melodic/Rhythmic ornamentation The melody correlates clearly with the lyrics, as the contour descends with the lyrics ‘down, down, down’ in an arpeggiated movement with a minor tonality to indicate a somewhat dark and grim theme amongst the otherwise lively and humorous character created by the instrumentation. Throughout the piece, the melody is simple and balanced, and delivered in a casual, speech-like manner, further contrasting with the energized and active instrumental accompaniment. Jenn Gillan: Id give specific examples here of what you mean. Saying its casual without saying what the elements do to make it so is not answering the question. You need proof. The rhythm is driven and excited, with the syncopated banjo sounding on the off beats, in alternation with the bass line, ultimately maintaining a lively and animated spirit throughout the piece. and 3rd and 4th beats; creating an excited and up-beat rhythm Jenn Gillan: Im confused about these last bits... does this big go with the other paragraph?! I hope thats helpful. I think youd score pretty highly with an answer like this. Impressive.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 01:06:54 +0000
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