Defying Gravity

• What is the word setting style used in "Defying Gravity"?

  Syllabic
• How does the melody of "Defying Gravity" vary in range?

  The melody has a wide range, including fairly high and low notes
• What type of movement does the melody start with?

  Stepwise movement (conjunct)
• How do the verse and chorus of "Defying Gravity" combine melodic movements?

  • Stepwise movement (conjunct)
  • Big leaps (disjunct)
• What effect does the syllabic word setting have on the lyrics?

  It makes the words clearly understandable
• What vocalisation occurs at the end of "Defying Gravity"?

  Vocalisation of "aah"
• What type of leap is often featured in the melody?

  A rising perfect fifth
• What is an example of an exceptionally large leap in the melody?

  A compound perfect fifth (13 whole notes)
• How can the large leaps in the melody be described?

  As angular
• What is the general style of the melody in "Defying Gravity"?

  Often legato
• What do bars 6 and 7 demonstrate in the melody?

  An ascending sequence
• In what key is "Defying Gravity" mainly composed?

  D major
• How is the tonality at the start of the piece described?

  Ambiguous
• What type of chord sequences are used at the start of "Defying Gravity"?

  Unrelated chord sequences
• What happens during the intro of the piece regarding tonality?

  The piece modulates briefly to B major, F major, and then to D major
• What key is the "unlimited" section in?

  G major
• What happens when the piece returns to the chorus?

  It goes back to D major
• What does the following andante section return to?

  The chromatic melody of the intro
• What key does the final verse return to?

  D major
• What is the tonality of the final maestoso section?

  B minor
• What type of chords are used in the intro?

  Unrelated chords
• What is the position of most chords in "Defying Gravity"?

  Simple root position
• What is an example of dissonance in the piece?

  Bar 30 ("I don't want it, no")
• What is featured at the end of the piece?

  A pedal note
• Who are the characters performing "Defying Gravity"?

  Elphaba and Glinda
• What is notable about the vocal parts in "Defying Gravity"?

  They use a big range
• Who originally performed the roles of Elphaba and Glinda?

  Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth
• How do the singers perform their lines?

  They either speak, sing, or perform half sung half spoken
• What instruments are used to create a modern sound in "Defying Gravity"?

  A big orchestra plus 3 keyboards, drum kit, and electric guitars
• What is the vocal range covered in "Defying Gravity"?

  Just under 2 octaves
• What does the large orchestra include?

  A woodwind section with additional piccolo, bass clarinet, and cor anglais
• What percussion instruments are included in the orchestra?

  A drum kit, tubular bells, and timpani
• What is used for high-pitched "magical" sounds?

  Synthesizers and glockenspiels
• How does the brass section contribute to the piece?

  It plays homophonic chordal music, like a fanfare
• What rhythmic element does the drum kit add in the first chorus?

  Rhythmic momentum with a repeated hi-hat
• What adds excitement during the transition into the chorus?

  A cymbal roll
• How do the strings contribute to the tension at the start of verse 1?

  They sometimes use tremolo
• What is the main texture of "Defying Gravity"?

  Homophonic
• How do Elphaba and Glinda typically sing?

  They usually sing separately but sometimes in unison or harmony
• How is the texture described in the intro?

  Sparse with chord stabs and some monophonic bars