Stars And The Moon

Question 1

Melody?

Answer 1

• opening interval of a 6th
• mainly conjunct vocals with narrow range
• melody based on pentatonic scale
• octave leap as music intensifies (and I) then melody based on dominant
• arch shaped melody in the bridge
• chorus based on dominant degree (A)
• characterising perfect 4th interval (any hollywood)
• repeated 1 bar phrase 10 times refrain with a 6th leap
• ends on tonic

Question 2

Harmony?

Answer 2

• intro alternates chord I and bVII every bar
• verse chords= I, II, bVII, I
• jazzy extensions such as Em9 and C9
• 1st inversion Gmmaj7+9 at end of verse 1 creates uncertainty
• A11 poses question at end of bridge which is answered by tonic in chorus
• C9#11 has tritone feel and asks a question at the end of the chorus which is dismissed by the tonic
• in refrain, G2 and A7 repeat which is changed to A(addb2) which creates dissonance and uncertainty/darker atmosphere
• ## ends with intro

Question 3

Rhythm?

Answer 3

• Gentle syncopation with emphasis on the final quaver of the bar
• conversational syncopated vocals
• longer notes in the bridge
• cross rhythmic groups of 3 quavers against 4/4 in chorus, motorhythmic quavers
• repeated triplets in chorus
• repeated rhythms in refrain (quavers)
• ends with held tonic

Question 4

Tonality?

Answer 4

• tonic key of Dmaj
• brief move to relative minor in section B of the verse that returns to tonic by start of chorus

Question 5

Texture?

Answer 5

• melody and accomp
• antiphonal refrain
• last line is monophonic/unaccompanied

Question 6

Sonority?

Answer 6

• dense colourful piano part uses higher register at end of verse to build tension
• conversational syncopated vocals
• spread chords in bridge to contrast quavers

Question 7

Structure?

Answer 7

• typical structure verse,bridge and chorus
• repeated 10 times 1 bar refrain
• AAB verse structure
• bridge has longer note lengths to contrast