Wicked- Defying Gravity

• The vocal melody in 'Defying Gravity' from 'Wicked' is largely syllabic, with one note per syllable.
• There is some vocalisation at the end of 'Defying Gravity', often referred to as 'aah'.
• The vocal melody in 'Defying Gravity' includes a mix of conjunct (steps) and wide disjunct intervals (leaps).
• The tempo of the piece changes frequently, with colla voce marked on the score in places, allowing the performer to speed up and slow down freely.
• The ending of the piece is counterpoint/polyphonic with 2 or more melodies at the same time.
• Dotted rhythms are used in the piece, for example, 'gra-vi-ty'.
• The music of the piece also uses techniques such as tremolo in strings to create tension and a cymbal roll to add excitement.
• The piece has some rallentandos, which are gradual slowing down between sections.
• The dynamics of the piece are quieter in the verses and louder in the choruses.
• Some monophonic bars at the beginning of the piece are followed by largely homophonic sections where Elphaba and Glinda usually sing separately but sometimes sing in unison or in harmony such as 3rds.
• The metre of the piece changes from 3/2 to 2/2 and 4/4.
• The music of the piece conveys the mood and the meaning of the lyrics through the use of word painting, short chord 'stabs' at the beginning, largely syllabic and disjunct phrases, higher pitched notes and louder volume at the climax, and a B minor chord held for 'no one mourns the wicked' at the end.
• Syncopation is frequent in the rhythm of the piece.
• Triplets are used occasionally in the piece.
• At the beginning of 'Defying Gravity', the chords are unrelated and descend chromatically (in semitone steps).
• Use of some dissonance (clashes) is present in 'Defying Gravity'.
• There is some word painting in 'Defying Gravity', for example 'close your eyes and leap'.
• The tonal ambiguity in 'Defying Gravity' begins with the key being unclear.
• The tonal ambiguity in 'Defying Gravity' modulates (changes key) frequently depending on the mood, for example, B minor 'no one mourns the wicked'.
• At the end of 'Defying Gravity', there is a pedal (sustained note/chord) to reinforce the minor tonality.
• The instrumentation for 'Defying Gravity' includes a pit band/orchestra with woodwind, brass, strings, 3 keyboards, percussion, electric guitars with overdrive (distortion).
• The structure of 'Defying Gravity' is in verse-chorus form.
• Some instrumental techniques are used for dramatic effect in 'Defying Gravity', such as strings playing a tremolo to create tension and a cymbal crash which helps to generate excitement.
• The texture in 'Defying Gravity' changes throughout.
• The vocal range in 'Defying Gravity' is large.
• Chords in 'Defying Gravity' are mainly in root position (normal).
• The sonority of 'Defying Gravity' is a duet between Elphaba and Glinda, who both sing and speak.