Samba Em Preludio Flashcards
(5 cards)
Instrumentation
The vocal line is low in the female range and contains many complex rhythms and leaps
vocals cover a range of a minor tenth from E to G, highlighting the technical demands and intensity - 11
The acoustic guitar plays a mixture of plucked chords and small melodies passages
The guitarist improvises a flamenco style, marked by grace notes and rapid runs, adding a cultural fusion - 54
Syncopated passages - 38
Mordent - 1
Texture
Overall texture is mainly homophonic, enhancing the intimacy of the song
Starting texture is monophonic, for rawness
Contrapuntal texture as vocals join in - 4
Guitar solo features a single melodic line, creating contrast with sections so dense and polyphonic
Voice and bass duet is polyphonic to mirror the idea of longing and connection - 87
Texture is sparse to create an intimate feel - 99
Melody
Extensive use of sequential repetition and low tessiture, underlining the intense melancholic mood
Melody is based on 4-note rising figure to maintain interest - 4-17
The guitar solo includes versatility in its upper register to add intensity
Use of arpeggios and double stopping to provide accompaniment - 7
Almost entirely conjuct, creating a smooth/ lyrical quality
Use of sequences - 35,37
Use of arpeggios
Rhythm, Metre & Tempo
The start is free tempo so there is no strict sense of pulse, creating a thoughtful and improvisatory feel
Cross rhythm are used simultaneously, conveying the inner turmoil - 8
Use of frequent triplets, rests and dotted crotchets to mark sections - 19
Use of bossa nova rhythms and tempos, helps the narrative of the piece shift between momentum and contemplation - 9,19
Harmony & Tonality
Key is b minor and doesn’t modulate, intensifying reflective mood
Vocal melody based on broken chords, which outlines the harmony and is simple
Diminished 7th and use of extended chords to add sense of resolution - 37
Root-position triad used, called ‘playing away’ as no chords to integrate for expressive freedom - 105
Use of flattened fifths to emphasise jazzy influence and bittersweet mood - 51,99
