Defying Gravity

• The song "Defying Gravity" is sung by Elphaba, the main character.
• What is the key?

  D major
• What is the genre of the piece?

  Musical theatre
• What type of orchestra does this piece use?

  Large
• What are the instruments used?

  Woodwind-piccolo, bass clarinet and cor anglais

  Brass

  Strings

  Harp

  3 keyboards

  Percussion-tubular bells, drum kit, timpani

  Electric guitars
• What type of sounds do the electric guitars create?

  Modern
• What does overdrive on guitars create?

  Distortion
• What type of texture does the brass section play?

  Homophonic chordal

  Fanfare
• What technique do the strings use and why?

  Tremolo to create tension
• Why are closed hihats in the drum kit used?

  To add rhythmic momentum
• Why are cymbal rolls used?

  To add excitement to change key
• When does the full band join?

  The climax of the song-bar 135
• Why are synthesisers and glockenspiels used?

  To create a high magical sound

   
• What is the movement at the start of the melody?

  Conjunct
• What sequence was shown in bar 6 and 7?

  Ascending
• What is the tempo at the start?

  Free (colla voce)
• What type of chords are used at the start?

  stabbed
• What was the texture in the verses?

  Melody dominated homophony
• What accompaniment is in bar 88?

  Ostinato with repeated semi quavers
• What is the texture at the end?

  Contrapuntal
• What type of movement is at the start?

  Chromatic
• What is the position of chords?


  Root
• What is used to go from allegro to andante?

  Rallentando
• What time signatures are used?

  3/2

  2/2

  4/4

  3/4
• What rhythms are used?

  Syncopation

  Dotted rhythm

  Triplets
• What are the frequent types of notes used?

  Crotchet

  Quaver

   
• Why are stabbed chords used?

  To add drama
• Why is the violin, flute and clarinet used?

  Create calm, reassuring mood
• What sound do tubular bells give?

  Ethereal
• What are the purposes of rests?

  Break up phrases
• What are the keys in this piece?

  D major

  B major

  F major

  G major

  B minor