link for songs:
“Fallin'” by Alicia Keys:
“Peace” by Ornette Coleman:
“O Superman” by Laurie Anderson:
answer the following question for each piece of music. you must provide a page of citations for books, articles, web pages or other sources you used to inform some of your answers below.
1. What is the name of the piece, the name of the performer(s), the name of the composer and the year it was written (if known)?
2. What is the form of the piece or section of the piece you’re writing about: binary, ternary, sectional, AABA, through-composed or other? Please cite any key evidence in the music that supports your answer.
3. What is the instrumentation for the piece – is it specified on the sheet music? And if so, is it for a group or for a soloist? List all instruments in the SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE you’re writing about, including voices (this may require some research about the recording).
4. What is the time signature and tempo of the piece (if indicated)? How would you describe or characterize the rhythm? For example: Is there a steady pulse? Is the beat syncopated? Are there drums or other instruments maintaining the steady pulse, or is it implied? Please explain.
5. What is the key signature of the piece? Please name the tonic and whether it is minor or major – listing any sharps or flats – AND write one octave of that key’s major or minor scale on a TREBLE CLEF staff. Can you determine if there is modulation or does the key remain constant throughout the piece?
6. Are there chords in the piece and are they written on the sheet music, either in letter format above the melody or on the bass clef a grand staff? If so, choose a four measure excerpt, label the measure numbers, and write the chords from those four measures on a BASS CLEF staff, labeling each chord by name and quality below the staff (for example, EMaj, Amin7, Gdim, etc)?
7. Does the sheet music indicate any markings for dynamics or other changes in character or feeling? If so, name at least two and indicate which measures they appear in on the sheet music.
8. What (if any) is the role of improvisation in the piece of music? How did you identify the improvisation and in what section does it occur?
