Afro Celt

Afro Celt Sound System- Analysis Video Question Sheet 

Intro 0:00-1:38 

What mode is the piece based on? 

Extension Q: What scale does the mode closely match? 

What music technology technique has been used in the introduction? 

What is a drone? 

What are the characteristics of a talking drum? 

The initial vocal are spoken, what language are they in? 

What word best describes the drum (loop3) and bodran (loop 1) parts when they come in? 

What rhythmic techniques is used in the bodran (loop 1) part? 

When the female vocals start they are melismatic, what does this mean? 

Verse 1 1:38-2:55 

In the vocals in figure 2, describe the pitch of the phrases in this section (shape and use of intervals) 

What African pitched instrument is used in verse 1? 

Describe the harmony of the synth strings in verse 1? 

What 2 notes does the bass guitar use in the verse 1 instrumental that gives it a modal feel? 

Verse 2 2:55-3:51 

Identify what 2 differences there are between the vocals in verse 2 compared to verse 1? 

What happens to the register of the vocals at the end of verse2? 

What makes the fiddle part in loop 15 challenging to play? 

Solos 3:51-4:55 

Describe the rhythm of the uilleann pipe solo? 

Describe the rhythm of the synth in loop 16? 

What instrument accompanies the section? 

The whistle joins the pipes in the second half of the solo. They are playing in a heterophonic texture, what does this mean? 

What makes the whistle solo in figure 6 very challenging to play? (make 2 points) 

What happens to the texture during the vocal loop 19? How is this texture change accomplished? 

Verse 3 4:55-5:32 

How are the chords in this section different to previous verses? 

What texture word best describes verse 3? 

Verse 3 5:32-5:51 

What instruments play solos after this section? 

How does the vocalist shape the melody at the end of this verse? 

Drum Break and build 6:02-6:11 

The notes used in loop 25 and loop 26 are called a note cluster, what does this mean? 

6:11 - End 

How do the end sections of the piece relate to the rest of the piece? 

How does the piece end?