star wars-main theme

What key is the main theme in?

What key is the main theme in?

Bb Major

What is the metre of the main theme?

4/4

What harmonic device can be heard throughout the A section of the main theme?

Inverted tonic pedal

What instrument plays the inverted pedal of the main theme section A?

Violins

What playing technique do the violins use to play the inverted pedal of the main theme A section?

Tremolo

What form/structure does the main theme have?

Ternary (ABA) form

The main theme is a leitmotif for Luke Skywalker, how does Williams create a bold, heroic theme?

By having brass (trumpets) playing the main theme, the use of strong accents, the major key, the use of strong intervals (perfect 4ths and perfect 5ths) and the use of strong sounding long notes (minims) with the triplet figures.

Describe two features of the accompaniment that adds to the bold, heroic character of the music.

The use of triplets and syncopation.

For the first 4 bars of the main theme, the bass notes use only two notes - what are they?

Bb (the tonic) and F (the dominant)

For the first 4 bars of the main theme only two chords are used - what are they?

Bb Major (the tonic chord) and F quartal harmony (a substitute chord built on the dominant note of the key)

What is the opening interval of the main theme?

Bb to F = perfect 5th

The last 4 bars of the first A section of the main theme uses a wider range of bass notes. Describe the initial movement of the bass line in this section.

Descending scalic movement

Why are more bass notes used in the last 4 bars of the first A section of the main theme?

Because there is a wider range of chords and inversions being used which allows for a greater variety of bass notes.

How does the inverted pedal change for the start of the last 4 bars of the first A section of the main theme?

It has a lower auxiliary note added to it creating a trill-like movement before returning to a normal inverted pedal in the next bar.

In the B section of the main theme, describe three differences from the music of the A section

The new theme is more conjunct, it is played in octaves and there is a change of instrumentation from trumpets (brass) to strings.

What harmonic device can be heard at the start of the B section?

Dominant pedal (F)

What has happened to the harmonic rhythm at the start of the B section?

Slower, now minim and crotchet chords rather than crotchets, quavers and semiquavers.

How has Williams made the harmony richer here in the B section?

By adding 6ths and 7ths to the triads.

The B section is made up of four phrases. The first and third phrases are very similar in shape but name two differences.

The opening rhythm is different and the first phrase is played in octaves where as the third phrase is now in single notes.

How would you describe the rhythm and melodic shape of the fourth phrase?

It uses dotted rhythms and contrary motion scales.

The end of the introduction fanfare, and now the end of the B section, both end on Fs. Why is this?

It is the dominant note and creates dominant preparation ready for the return to the tonic Bb major at the start of the main theme. This creates a perfect cadence as the main theme begins.

How is the A section different on the repeat than the first time we hear it?

It is now played in octaves to add strength to the melody. It is also reinforced with strings and woodwind playing the melody along with the brass.

What instrument adds the solo melody at the very end of the main theme?

French horn.