Other Features

Structure and Melody

You could say that the melody writing in Release is idiomatic, which means that the writing is suited for that instrument.

Strophic form

The structure of the piece does not fit into any conventional forms but is closely related to strophic form.
This is a form commonly used within folk music.
It links back to the idea of fusion with Celtic folk.
It is best described as a repeating A Section.

Structure

Written out, the structure of Release is:
- Intro.
- Verse 1.
- Break.
- Verse 2.
- Solo 1 and 2.
- Break.
- Verse 3.
- Outro.

Phrases

Each section is split into mostly 8 bar phrases.

Melody

The two vocalists and the solo instruments create the melodic part; everything else forms the accompaniment.
The melody lines centre around the note C.
The solo instrumental parts play melodies based on repeated musical motifs and traditional Celtic folk songs.
You could say that the melody writing is idiomatic, which means that the writing is suited for that instrument.

Instrumentation

Release features African instruments, Celtic instruments, popular music instruments and three main vocal parts.

African instruments

African instruments include:
- The Kora.
- The talking drum.

Celtic instruments

Celtic instruments include:
- The uilleann pipes.
- The bodhraán.
- The tin whistle.
- The fiddle.
- The accordion.
- The hurdy-gurdy.

The hurdy-gurdy

The hurdy-gurdy plays a drone that forms part of the rhythm section.
- A drone is a long sustained note.

Popular music influences

The popular music influences include:
- The Synthesiser.
- The bass guitar.
- The drum kit.

Vocals

The vocals include:
- A spoken male African voice speaking in Maninka.
- A female vocal line sung in English.
- A male singing in Gaelic.

Texture and Harmony

The piece is mainly homophonic and is built up gradually. The harmony is static.

Texture

Mainly homophonic and is built up gradually.
As this piece is multitracked, the sounds and parts are layered.
As a new section begins, instruments like the bass guitar drop out.

Illustrative background for Key ?? "content

Key

The piece is not major or minor.
It is modal which is in line with many other folk pieces.

Mode

Release is based around C Aeolian mode and during the uileann pipe solo, C Dorian mode.
Modes are like an older form of scale or group of notes.

Harmony

The harmony is static, meaning that although certain chords are suggested they are never fully realised and the harmony throughout remains static.

1Musical Elements

1.1Organisation of Pitch

1.1.1Melodic Pitch

1.1.2Melodic Devices

1.1.3Harmonic Pitch

1.1.4Harmonic Devices

1.1.5Harmonic Progressions

1.2Tonality

1.2.1Major & Minor Tonality

1.2.2End of Topic Test - Musical Elements

2Instrumental Music 1700–1820

2.1Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major

2.1.1Concerto No. 5 in D Major

2.1.2Structure & Melody

2.1.3Instrumentation & Texture

2.1.4Harmony

2.1.5Wider Listening

2.2Beethoven: Sonata ‘Pathétique’

2.2.1Piano Sonata No. 8

2.2.2Structure & Melody

2.2.3Other Features

2.2.4Wider Listening

2.2.5End of Topic Test - Instrumental Music 1700–1820

3Vocal Music

3.1Purcell: Music for a While

3.1.1Music for a While

3.1.2Other Features

3.1.3Wider Listening

3.2Queen: Killer Queen

3.2.1Killer Queen

3.2.2Other Features

3.2.3Wider Listening

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Vocal Music

4Music for Stage & Screen

4.1Schwartz: Defying Gravity

4.1.1Defying Gravity

4.1.2Other Features

4.1.3Wider Listening

4.2Williams: Star Wars Episode IV

4.2.1A New Hope

4.2.2Structure & Melody

4.2.3Other Features

4.2.4Wider Listening

4.2.5End of Topic Test - Music for Stage & Screen

5Fusions

5.1Afro Celt Sound System: Release

5.1.1Release

5.1.2Other Features

5.1.3Wider Listening

5.2Spalding: Samba Em Preludio

5.2.1Samba Em Preludio

5.2.2Structure & Melody

5.2.3Other Features

5.2.4Wider Listening

5.2.5End of Topic Test - Fusions

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