Other Features
Music: Edexcel GCSE, topic 5.2.3
Instrumentation
Samba Em Preludio features the female voice, the acoustic bass guitar and the acoustic guitar.
Instrumentation
- Female voice.
- Fretless acoustic bass guitar.
- Acoustic guitar.
The guitars
- As in jazz music the acoustic guitar and the acoustic bass both have solo parts.
- The instruments all use portamento which is where you slide from one note to the next.
- The guitar part is influenced by the flamenco.
The acoustic bass
- The acoustic bass uses:
- Pizzicato (plucking).
- Harmonics.
- Pull offs.
- Glissando (slides).
Texture and Harmony
The start of the piece is monophonic. Jazz harmonies are used which include extended and altered chords such as 13ths and 9ths.
Texture
- The start of the piece is monophonic (one sound).
- Once all the instruments have entered there is a contrapuntal texture created.
- This is where two melodies overlap and interweave with each other.
- The bass moves between playing its own melody line and chords (group of notes).
Harmony
- The piece is in B minor.
- Jazz harmonies are used which include extended and altered chords such as 13ths and 9ths.
- These chords create dissonance (clashing sounds.)
Test yourself on Other Features
What is the guitar part in Samba Em Preludio influenced by?
What key is Samba Em Preludio written in?