Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-1-2-other-features

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [Music](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music.md) › [Edexcel](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel.md) › Other Features

# Other Features

Music: Edexcel GCSE, topic 3.1.2

## Structure and Melody

Purcell uses word painting, where the meaning of the word is mirrored by the music.

### Structure

![Structure](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/1ee50160-4d87-4c1a-8fd0-12815b32d8da/classical-music-sheetmusic.jpg)

- Follows a ground bass structure.
- Written in ternary form (A B A) with the A Section being shortened when it returns.
- There is also an introduction in bars 1-3 where the basso ostinato is established.

### Structure cont.

![Structure cont.](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/c41cd667-5d57-42d3-aae3-5834c190e239/choir-hyms-singing-.jpg)

- Da capo arias are where the A Section is repeated (from the beginning) with the singer making variations and ornamenting the original melody line. 
- The changes in the set work occur at bar 31, 33 and 35-7.

### Melody

![Melody](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/67d522ee-ba38-46cc-a83b-cf71dd85e24a/paint-artist.jpg)

- There is melismatic (more than one note per syllable) and syllabic (one note per syllable) word setting.
- Purcell uses word painting, where the meaning of the word is mirrored by the music.

### Example of word painting

![Example of word painting](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/64a463f8-eeec-434a-9725-a7f43737745a/heaven-gates.jpg)

- For example on the word ‘eternal’ (b.20-21) Purcell draws out the melody line with the use of ornamentation.

### Melody cont.

![Melody cont.](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/95c86d22-ab78-4595-a71d-d16e67e39303/heaven-hell-sky.jpg)

- There are also other ornaments used such as:
  - Mordents.
  - Appoggiaturas.
  - Grace notes.

## Instrumentation, Texture and Harmony

The use of the basso continuo and the vocal line create a homophonic texture.

### Instrumentation

![Instrumentation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/1ed22e59-c1db-4711-81c9-44d986a94cca/lute-instrument-.jpg)

- Solo voice: 
  - Soprano.
- Basso continuo:
  - Harpsichord, lute and bass viol.

### Texture

![Texture](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/baaeceaa-8ba7-4cff-bfc2-b9181a98173d/Singing-Sing-Woman.jpg)

- The use of the basso continuo and the vocal line create a homophonic texture.

### Harmony

![Harmony](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/5063497b-112e-4076-93cf-15314bf15e4b/sheet-music-score-.jpg)

- Written in A minor, the harpsichord plays a figured bass where the chords are written in a type of musical shorthand.
- There are some modulations away from A minor and C major but this piece predominantly centres around these two keys.

### Dissonance and suspensions

![Dissonance and suspensions](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/fa2cb850-fde7-4a78-a313-1d87d5c7bded/deer-antlers-clash-fight-.jpg)

- There is use of dissonance (clashing notes) and suspensions (creating dissonance within a chord by extending the length of a clashing note) which can help create feelings of pain and sorrow.

### Tierce de picardie

![Tierce de picardie](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/c01fb4b5-fb60-480d-9c8e-ff4f35c5fee6/shutterstock_547176661.jpg)

- In bar 23 there is a tierce de picardie (a cadence with a major tonic chord in a minor key), used on the word *‘snakes’* to create drama.
- This is another example of word painting.

## Test yourself on Other Features

- What is established in bars 1-3 of *Music for a While*?
- Which of the following is the solo voice in *Music for a While*?
- *Music for a While* predominantly centres around which two keys?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/8a9f121c-bdb0-42db-bbd6-a88f8f723518/section/609e40ce-49db-4bac-831c-1e0e42230783/session)

- Previous topic: [3.1.1 Music for a While](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-1-1-music-for-a-while.md)
- Next topic: [3.1.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-1-3-wider-listening.md)

## Music: Edexcel GCSE contents

### 1 Musical Elements
- 1.1 Organisation of Pitch
  - [1.1.1 Melodic Pitch](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-1-melodic-pitch.md)
  - [1.1.2 Melodic Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-2-melodic-devices.md)
  - [1.1.3 Harmonic Pitch](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-3-harmonic-pitch.md)
  - [1.1.4 Harmonic Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-4-harmonic-devices.md)
  - [1.1.5 Harmonic Progressions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-5-harmonic-progressions.md)
- 1.2 Tonality
  - [1.2.1 Major & Minor Tonality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-2-1-major-and-minor-tonality.md)
  - [1.2.2 End of Topic Test - Musical Elements](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-2-2-end-of-topic-test-musical-elements.md)

### 2 Instrumental Music 1700–1820
- 2.1 Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major
  - [2.1.1 Concerto No. 5 in D Major](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-1-concerto-no-5-in-d-major.md)
  - [2.1.2 Structure & Melody](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-2-structure-and-melody.md)
  - [2.1.3 Instrumentation & Texture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-3-instrumentation-and-texture.md)
  - [2.1.4 Harmony](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-4-harmony.md)
  - [2.1.5 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-5-wider-listening.md)
- 2.2 Beethoven: Sonata ‘Pathétique’
  - [2.2.1 Piano Sonata No. 8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-1-piano-sonata-no-8.md)
  - [2.2.2 Structure & Melody](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-2-structure-and-melody.md)
  - [2.2.3 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-3-other-features.md)
  - [2.2.4 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-4-wider-listening.md)
  - [2.2.5 End of Topic Test - Instrumental Music 1700–1820](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-5-end-of-topic-test-instrumental-music-1700-1820.md)

### 3 Vocal Music
- 3.1 Purcell: Music for a While
  - [3.1.1 Music for a While](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-1-1-music-for-a-while.md)
  - [3.1.2 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-1-2-other-features.md)
  - [3.1.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-1-3-wider-listening.md)
- 3.2 Queen: Killer Queen
  - [3.2.1 Killer Queen](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-1-killer-queen.md)
  - [3.2.2 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-2-other-features.md)
  - [3.2.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-3-wider-listening.md)
  - [3.2.4 End of Topic Test - Vocal Music](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-4-end-of-topic-test-vocal-music.md)

### 4 Music for Stage & Screen
- 4.1 Schwartz: Defying Gravity
  - [4.1.1 Defying Gravity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-1-1-defying-gravity.md)
  - [4.1.2 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-1-2-other-features.md)
  - [4.1.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-1-3-wider-listening.md)
  - [4.1.4 End of Topic Test - Defying Gravity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-1-4-end-of-topic-test-defying-gravity.md)
- 4.2 Williams: Star Wars Episode IV
  - [4.2.1 A New Hope](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-1-a-new-hope.md)
  - [4.2.2 Structure & Melody](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-2-structure-and-melody.md)
  - [4.2.3 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-3-other-features.md)
  - [4.2.4 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-4-wider-listening.md)
  - [4.2.5 End of Topic Test - Star Wars Episode IV](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-5-end-of-topic-test-star-wars-episode-iv.md)

### 5 Fusions
- 5.1 Afro Celt Sound System: Release
  - [5.1.1 Release](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-1-1-release.md)
  - [5.1.2 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-1-2-other-features.md)
  - [5.1.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-1-3-wider-listening.md)
- 5.2 Spalding: Samba Em Preludio
  - [5.2.1 Samba Em Preludio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-1-samba-em-preludio.md)
  - [5.2.2 Structure & Melody](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-2-structure-and-melody.md)
  - [5.2.3 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-3-other-features.md)
  - [5.2.4 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-4-wider-listening.md)
  - [5.2.5 End of Topic Test - Fusions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-5-end-of-topic-test-fusions.md)