The elements of music to consider
Melody
The following features are heard in the song Naughty and are identified as melodic contributes:
- the text setting is syllabicSinging one note per syllable.
- the stepwise moving melody helps the song sound natural and conversational
- the vocal melody is often disjunct with large leaps of a perfect 5th or major 6th at the beginnings of each phrase
An audio extract of the score
Metre, tempo and rhythm
Like in many musical theatre pieces, the time signatureNumbers or letters written at the start of a piece of music depicting how many beats are in a bar and what type of beat are in each bar. and tempoThe speed that the music is played at. can change at any moment. The rhythms can range from simple to complex to reflect the message of the song. The essential points to look out for are:
- a general metreRegular pattern of beats and is indicated by a time signature. of 4/4
- a 3/4 bar of percussion at the end of the second verse is an example of the time signature changing to fit with the stage direction
- the tempo is 140 bpmBeats per minute. - or allegroFast.
- swingA jazz style in which notes are always syncopated rather than played evenly. rhythms
- heavy syncopationRhythm patterns where stressed notes are placed off the beat. features throughout the piece - especially in the instrumental links in the two bars before the choruses
- a strong crotchet beat emphasis contradicts the syncopationOffbeat rhythms. instrumental sections to back the theme of the song and create a disrupting rhythmic pattern
- There is frequently a quaver anacrusisAn upbeat. in the intervalDistance between two notes.accompanying parts
Structure
The structure follows that of a common popular song.
- verse 1
- verse 2
- chorus 1
- verse 3
- chorus 2
- bridge
- chorus 3
- coda
| Verse 1 | Verse 2 |
| 4 bars | 4 bars |
| 4 bars | 4 bars |
| Motif X | New motif |
| 1 bar of finger snaps followed by the new motif (repeated) | |
| 2 bars of finger snaps | |
| New motif | |
| 2 bar instrumental link to chorus |
| Verse 1 | 4 bars |
|---|---|
| Verse 2 | 4 bars |
| Verse 1 | 4 bars |
|---|---|
| Verse 2 | 4 bars |
| Verse 1 | Motif X |
|---|---|
| Verse 2 | New motif |
| Verse 1 | |
|---|---|
| Verse 2 | 1 bar of finger snaps followed by the new motif (repeated) |
| Verse 1 | |
|---|---|
| Verse 2 | 2 bars of finger snaps |
| Verse 1 | |
|---|---|
| Verse 2 | New motif |
| Verse 1 | |
|---|---|
| Verse 2 | 2 bar instrumental link to chorus |
Instrumentation and timbre
These are some of the essential pieces of information needed when answering questions regarding these two elements of music:
- originally written for a large pit bandThe collection of instrumentalists that sit below the stage to provide the live music in a musical or play. , but this is dependent on the size of the theatre and production
- the brass trumpets are sometimes given the cue to play harmon muteA tin device used to alter the sound of a brass instrument. It makes a trumpet sound shallow and tinny. while playing syncopationOffbeat rhythms. rhythms
- the drummer is directed to play the drum kit with brushA type of drumstick that has dozens of thin wire ends creating a brushing sound when played on a drum kit., adding to the jazz feel
Texture
The song implements different texture to convey a wide-range of emotion and moments in the story of Matilda. Some of the textures in Naughty include:
- block chordWhen all the notes of the chord are played together as one sound. feature in the introduction
- melody-dominated homophonyA musical texture which features a melody with accompaniment. is the general type of texture
- some countermelodyA melodic line used to contrast the main tune of a music and build texture. ideas for added interest, such as the flute in verse 2
- a piano monophonicA texture consisting of a solo musical line. link into chorus 1
- melody and accompanimentA type of texture where there is only one clear melody and an accompaniment that plays different notes and rhythms but is supporting the melody. from chorus 1
- imitationWhere one musical part copies another. between the voice and piano in verse 3
- periods of silence that add to the suspense
The piano imitates the vocal melody as heard in the score
Tonality and harmony
The tonality and harmony are:
- Naughty is in the key of F major
- The chords are predominantly diatonicMelody or harmony which uses pitches of the given key.