AFrica Analysis

Overall features

Dynamics

Mostly mezzo forte except the chorus, which is forte

Instruments

Tempo & Time Signature

Rhythm

Texture

Melody & accompaniment

Style

Jeff Porcaro

INTRODUCTION (Key of B Major)

Begins with African percussion instruments

Riff A & Riff B

RIFF A & B (features)

Syncopated rhythmic pattern Ostinato pattern using notes from

Playing 3 chords (A, G#m, C#m) E pentatonic scale (E F# G# B C#)

Diatonic harmony The melodic line is parallel and perfect 4th apart

VERSE 1 (Key of B Major)

Melody

Unusual 9 bar phrases
Riff A plays at the end of Phrases 1-3
Phrase 4 "Hurry boy she's waiting there for you" octave higher than the first phrase
Narrow singing range
Low pitch and mainly conjunct

Harmony

Verse 1 chords

*B/F# - second inversion of B Major *A/E - second inversion of A major

CHORUS 1&2 (Key of A Major)

VERSE 2 (Key of B Major)

INSTRUMENTAL (Key of B Major)

Phrase 1 descends and then ascends

Phrase 2 has grace notes (acciaccatura)

CHORUS 3 (Key of A Major)

New electric guitar riff heard in the last bar of each phrase
“I bless the rains down in Africa” (phrase 3) - is heard five times making this section longer than before
During phrase 3, a solo vocal improvisation is heard

OUTRO (Key of B Major)

This section repeats the music stated during the introduction.
On the recording, the music repeats continually and the texture is gradually reduced each time
By the end the music is reduced to only the rhythm track heard at the beginning of the song accompanied by the bass line of Riff A.