ISOM ESSAY STUFF

sonority point

uses techniques common of both jazz and hip-hop

sonority main points

1. scat singing and vocal improvisation

2. use of music technology- turntable effect and distortion

3. virtuosic sax techniques

sonority effects

1. (2nd vocal section + rap section). Common feature of jazz singers used to add improvised feel and add textural interest. This technique is also used later on in the piece.

2. Distortion heard at beginning in guitar solo, turntables heard often throughout song. Establishes edgy hip-hop mood. Also contrasts with the clean accappella vocal section directly following.

3. Extreme glissando just before instrumental section. Sustained high D at end. Both VERY virtuosic and exemplary of pine's skill and expertise.

sonority WL points

tonality point

use of C modal minor throughout piece

tonality main points

1. use of Blues-influenced mix of E flats and naturals

tonality effects

1. Leads to ambiguity of key. Use of a simpler key makes it easier to improvise / experiment with other musical elements, e.g. sonority, texture, harmony.

tonality WL points

structure point

Uses a free rather than conventional pop song structure with alternating verses and rap sections

structure main points

1. Verses/vocal/rap sections get longer throughout the song

2. use of instrumental section

structure effects

1. Allows for more development of phrases and melodic lines

2. structural variety- signals ending of song

structure WL points

RMT point

use of both complex and simple rhythms throughout piece

RMT main points

1. regular, steady drum program in hip hop style with occasional breaks

2. Quintuplets and sextuplets in saxophone instrumental section

3. Syncopated anticipation throughout

RMT effects

1. Very common of hip-hop, maintains driving rhythms and pace throughout song (e.g. snare on backbeat)

2. Complex rhythms reflect improvised feel as well as pine's expertise on saxophone. Common to use unusual rhythmic groupings in jazz

3. Common in everything basically. On stab chord of horn's riff each time. Adds syncopated, relaxed feel.

RMT WL points

melody points

lots of common jazz techniques

melody main points

1. scalic runs

2. main theme based on Gershwin’s ‘Summertime’

3. Flattened 5th blue note

melody effects

1. instrumental section, virtuosic improvised feel

2. ‘and the livin’ ain’t easy’, common for jazz musicians to take inspiration / use covers from previous artists

3. at very beginning on saxophone. using flattened notes common jazz technique

melody WL points

harmony point

use of simple yet extended chords

harmony main points

1. extended chords

2. heavy alternation of 2 chords (Cm7 / Dm7)

3. use of C7#9 at end of first verse

harmony effects

1. common feature of jazz

2. mostly in intro and rap sections, also common- allows for more textural interest

3. giving major/minor feel or false relation

harmony WL points

texture point

Experiments with a wide variety of texture

texture main points

1. Call and response

2. Homorhythmic tutti on 3-part sax in harmony

3. Dramatic reductions in texture

texture effects

1. During vocal sections with voice and horn section. Common of jazz.

2. After 2nd rap section, stands out from rest of piece, adds textural variety

3. e.g. end of 1st vocal section, removal of drum program. Softer effect, shows contrast and signals toward end of section

texture WL