5.1.2

Other Features

Test yourself on Other Features

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

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

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

Structure

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

Phrases

  • Each section is split into mostly 8 bar phrases.
Melody

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

  • African instruments include:
    • The Kora.
    • The talking drum.
Celtic instruments

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

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

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

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.
Key

Key

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

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

Harmony

  • The harmony is static, meaning that although certain chords are suggested they are never fully realised and the harmony throughout remains static.
Jump to other topics
1

Musical Elements

1.1

Organisation of Pitch

1.1.1Melodic Pitch1.1.2Melodic Devices1.1.3Harmonic Pitch1.1.4Harmonic Devices1.1.5Harmonic Progressions
1.2

Tonality

1.2.1Major & Minor Tonality1.2.2End of Topic Test - Musical Elements
2

Instrumental Music 1700–1820

2.1

Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major

2.1.1Concerto No. 5 in D Major2.1.2Structure & Melody2.1.3Instrumentation & Texture2.1.4Harmony2.1.5Wider Listening
2.2

Beethoven: Sonata ‘Pathétique’

2.2.1Piano Sonata No. 82.2.2Structure & Melody2.2.3Other Features2.2.4Wider Listening2.2.5End of Topic Test - Instrumental Music 1700–1820
3

Vocal Music

3.1

Purcell: Music for a While

3.1.1Music for a While3.1.2Other Features3.1.3Wider Listening
3.2

Queen: Killer Queen

3.2.1Killer Queen3.2.2Other Features3.2.3Wider Listening3.2.4End of Topic Test - Vocal Music
4

Music for Stage & Screen

4.1

Schwartz: Defying Gravity

4.1.1Defying Gravity4.1.2Other Features4.1.3Wider Listening4.1.4End of Topic Test - Defying Gravity
4.2

Williams: Star Wars Episode IV

4.2.1A New Hope4.2.2Structure & Melody4.2.3Other Features4.2.4Wider Listening4.2.5End of Topic Test - Star Wars Episode IV
5

Fusions

5.1

Afro Celt Sound System: Release

5.1.1Release5.1.2Other Features5.1.3Wider Listening
5.2

Spalding: Samba Em Preludio

5.2.1Samba Em Preludio5.2.2Structure & Melody5.2.3Other Features5.2.4Wider Listening5.2.5End of Topic Test - Fusions

Practice questions on Other Features

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    The Structure of ReleasePut in order
  2. 2
    Release is split into mostly how many bar phrases?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Which note does the melody lines centre around? Multiple choice
  4. 4
    What do the solo instrumental parts in Release play melodies based on?Fill in the list
  5. 5
    African instruments featured in Release:Fill in the list
Answer all questions on Other Features

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

Release

Wider Listening