The Song Review is our capstone project for the year. you will fill in the template below and submit the following form. The form has "click and fill" elements to aid your formatting. Download the file, complete it, and submit it via this module. Please ask if you have any questions.
There are 3 separate pages:
- Page 1:
- Song Selection, YouTube Link, History of Band/Composer
- Summary picture: select a clip art or emoji picture that illustrates how you feel when you listen to this song
- 10 x 2 exercise: Listen to the song in its entirety, writing down 10 distinct things that you notice or hear. Then, listen to the song again, and create a list of 10 different things. Challenge yourself!
- Page 2:
- Listening Map: Create a visual "map" of your song, highlighting important stylistic elements, performing forces, form structures, etc. Feel free to be creative here! You can use a timeline, a winding path, a ladder, whatever organization strategy that gets your point of view across.
- Page 3:
- MR HIGS analysis: Describe each of the MR HIGS components in detail, using the terminology learned and implemented in class. Analyze your song in the following categories:
- Melody: range, contour, movement, quality, etc.
- Rhythm: meter, subdivision, syncopation, beat emphasis, tempo, etc.
- Harmony: quality, thick/thin, major/minor/atonal/modal, modulations, etc.
- Instruments: performing forces, which instruments are featured, etc.
- Growth/Form: dynamics, structure, texture build, ritornellos, ostinatos, etc.
- Style/Sound: genre, special effects, word painting, intent of composer, etc.
- MR HIGS analysis: Describe each of the MR HIGS components in detail, using the terminology learned and implemented in class. Analyze your song in the following categories:
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Student Name: |
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Song Title: |
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Performer Composer: |
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Valid YouTube Link: |
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History of the Performer / Composer:
Below, please provide a 5-10 sentence summary of the performer or composer. Include pertinent dates and points of interest, and please cite your sources.
(insert the clip art emoji or picture of your choice below)
10 x 2
Listen to your song, and write 10 things that you hear. Then, listen to your song again, and list 10 different things that you notice.
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Listening Map
Create a listening map for someone who hasn’t heard your song. You may be as creative as you like, using words, pictures, colors, etc. Provide a visual representation of what you will hear in the space below.
MR HIGS
In the table below, please provide a complete MR HIGS analysis of your song. Use correct terminology from class, and be thorough and comprehensive in your review.
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MELODY |
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RHYTHM |
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HARMONY |
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INSTRUMENTS |
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GROWTH/FORM |
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STYLE/SOUND |
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,
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Student Name: |
Sandra Krueger |
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Song Title: |
Take on me |
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Performer Composer: |
A-Ha |
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Valid YouTube Link: |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914 |
History of the Performer / Composer:
Below, please provide a 5-10 sentence summary of the performer or composer. Include pertinent dates and points of interest, and please cite your sources.
"Take on Me" was released in 1984 by Norwegian band A-ha, a synth pop group trio. Pal Waaktaar, Magne Furuholmen, and Morten Harket began their collaboration in 1982, creating this signature tune early in their career. It flopped twice in Great Britain before being brought over to the United States and re-recorded. Its success in the United States is largely due to its groundbreaking music video, which featured rotoscoping, a combination of live action and pencil sketch animation. The song eventually sold over 7 million copies, making it one of the most profitable singles of all time. "Take on Me" is in the synth-pop genre, featuring both synthesized and acoustic sounds.
This song makes me feel:
(insert the clip art emoji or picture of your choice below)
10 x 2
Listen to your song, and write 10 things that you hear. Then, listen to your song again, and list 10 different things that you notice.
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1. |
synthesizer |
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Ritornellos as unifiers |
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2. |
Heavy back beat |
2. |
Third verse: melody has different contour |
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3. |
Bright, happy sounds |
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coda |
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4. |
Long intro |
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Fade out / diminuendo at end |
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5. |
Wide range |
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Climax in chorus (falsetto high note) |
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6. |
Falsetto male vocal |
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Simple 4 chord progression |
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7. |
Rhythmic shift in chorus |
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Fairly thick texture throughout |
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8. |
Backup vocals |
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Verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-verse-chorus-coda |
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9. |
Upbeat, bouncy |
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Bridge section in minor |
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10. |
Returning pattern in synthesizer |
10. |
Typical 1980s sound |
Listening Map
Create a listening map for someone who hasn’t heard your song. You may be as creative as you like, using words, pictures, colors, etc. Provide a visual representation of what you will hear in the space below.
SOLO SINGER
CHORUS
CHORUS
SOLO SINGER
SYNTHESIZERRITORNELLO
DRUM INTRO RORO
SOLO SINGER DIFFERENT MELODY
CHORUS
CHORUS
DIMINUENDO
CODA RORO
SYNTHESIZERRITORNELLO
INSTRUMENTAL BREAK
In the table below, please provide a complete MR HIGS analysis of your song. Use correct terminology from class, and be thorough and comprehensive in your review.
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MELODY |
Verse: short, descending, conjunct, syncopated phrases; speech like, syllabic text setting Chorus: ascending, disjunct, wide range sequenced motive; soaring, lyric quality |
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RHYTHM |
Bouncy, syncopated figures; quadruple meter, simple subdivision Emphasis on the back beat (beats 2 and 4) Rhythmic shift mid chorus (at 1:04, 1:45, etc.) |
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HARMONY |
Predominantly major Bridge begins in minor, some chromatic figures Very thick throughout, considering the performing forces |
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INSTRUMENTS |
Drums, synthesizer, electric guitar, electric bass, tenor vocals with falsetto, back up male vocals |
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GROWTH/FORM |
Intro-verse-chorus-verse-chorus-instrumental break/bridge-verse-chorus-coda Forte throughout; diminuendo at the end Typical 1980s pop music format |
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STYLE/SOUND |
Quintessentially 1980s Heavy beat, tons of synthesized sound Happy party music |
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