Africa by TOTO

Question 1

In which year was this song recorded and released?

Answer 1

Recorded 1981, released 1982

Question 2

Name 2 writers of the song

Answer 2

David Paich, Jeff Porcaro

Question 3

What is the structure of the song?

Answer 3

Verse-Chorus form (sometimes also called strophic form)

Question 4

What is the texture of the song?

Answer 4

Homophonic (main melody with accompanying chords)

Question 5

What is the instrumentation of the song?

Answer 5

Drum kit, chimes, electric guitar, bass guitar, synthesizer, male lead and backing vocals, flute-like intrument

Question 6

What is the tempo?

Answer 6

‘Moderately fast’

Question 7

Describe the dynamics of the song. (You can use one word for the choruses, and one word for everything else)

Answer 7

Choruses: Forte
Everything else: Mezzo-forte

Question 8

How many verses are in the song?

Answer 8

2 verses

Question 9

How many choruses are there?

Answer 9

3 choruses

Question 10

What is an ‘outro’? How does it sound in this song?

Answer 10

An outro is an ending. In this song the music is repeated and fades out.

Question 11

What is the key of most of the song?

Answer 11

B major

Question 12

What is the key of the choruses?

Answer 12

A major

Question 13

The key of the chorus is ‘ambiguous’ at first. What does this mean?

Answer 13

Not immediately clear which key the section is in

Question 14

Which key is the ‘tonic’ of this song?

Answer 14

B major

Question 15

What is the name of the 5-note scale used in some parts of this song, including the into and instrumental?

Answer 15

Pentatonic scale

Question 16

What is the chord sequence of the chorus?

Answer 16

F# minor, D major, A major, E major

Question 17

How would you describe the rhythm of the opening chords?

Answer 17

Syncopated

Question 18

What is the time signature of the song?

Answer 18

‘Cut Time’ also known as 2/2

Question 19

‘Ostinato rhythms’ are used throughout. What does this mean?

Answer 19

Repeated rhythmic patterns

Question 20

Is the vocal melody mostly conjunct or disjunct? What does this mean?

Answer 20

Conjunct = the notes are next to each other/ the melody is smooth

Question 21

The song uses some chord inversions. What does this mean?

Answer 21

The root note is not the note in the bass. e.g. a C chord would be C E G in root position, inversion E G C or G E C

Question 22

What does ‘harmonic rhythm’ mean?

Answer 22

How many chord changes per bar

Question 23

What is the ‘harmonic rhythm’ of the chorus?

Answer 23

1 chord per bar

Question 24

Backing vocals are used in this song: True or False?

Answer 24

True

Question 25

Name the notes of the following chords, using the 5+4 (major) or 4+5 (minor) rule:
- A major
- B major
- F# minor
- C# minor

Answer 25

1) A C# E
2) B D# F#
3) F# A C#
4) C# E G#