Yiriiriririririririrririi

Created by: tcraston12
Created on: 29-05-14 23:20

Describe instrumentation in this piece

Instruments used are balafon, djembe, and talking drum. Members of Koko also sing.

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Describe the structure of the piece

In three sections. Intro: short balafon solo played using tremolo. Main section: throughout, drums play an ostinato and there is a strong pulse. Music alternates between balafon solos and choruses. In the middle of the section there is a vocal solo

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Continued...

In which call and response is used between the solo vocalist and the choir. Finally, Coda: a short phrase for balafon is played 5 times in slightly varied versions. The drum obstinate is interrupted by rests and a bell is used to mark the end.

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Describe the melody, harmony and tonality of the piece

In the key of G flat major. Most of it is hexatonic. Balafons mostly play short patterns, which often fall from high to low. They tend to emphasise noted G flat and D flat (tonic and dominant in G flat major). During choruses, group sings together

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Describe the rhythm, metre and tempo of the piece

4/4. After intro which is free tempo, rest of piece maintains a steady pulse. Syncopation is frequently used (especially in vocal and balloon parts). During one of the vocal solos, the balafon plays semiquavers in groups of 3 creating cross rhythms

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Continued...

The vocal soloist makes use of triplets. The drums play a rhythmic ostinato throughout entire piece. On top, djembe occasionally plays fills

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Describe the texture and dynamics of the piece

Has a layered texture, but also included a monophonic texture on the intro (balafon solo), occasional heterophonic textures (created when 2 balafons play different versions of same tune at same time). There is little dynamic variation in the piece.

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