Afro Celt

38 - Afro Celt Sound System: Release (0.00-1.25)

1. Which two instruments perform during the introduction? (2)

2. State one purpose of the drone at the start of the extract. (1)

3. Describe the metre at the beginning of the extract. (1)

4. State two features of the vocal part at the beginning of the extract. (2)

5. Identify the studio effect applied to the drone part at the beginning of the extract. (1)

6. A bodhrán is heard at the end of the extract. Name two other percussion instruments that are used in this extract. (2)

7. Which one of the following best describes the part played by the bodhrán at the end of the extract? Put a cross in the correct box. (1)

A Leitmotif

B Riff

C Ostinato

D Polyrhythm

8. Describe the texture at the beginning of the extract. (1)

9. Describe the texture at the end of the extract. (1)

10. Describe two features of the rhythm and metre of the bodhrán part towards the end of the extract. (2)

11. Briefly describe Sinead O’Connor’s contributions to the song ‘Release’. (1)

12. Name another language that can be heard in the set work (1)

39 - Afro Celt Sound System: Release (Extract 1: 1.38-2.15) (Extract 2: 4.55-5.32) *2018 EXAM*

You will hear two extracts, A and B. You will hear both extracts three times in the following order: AB, AB, AB.

1. The melody in extract A is based on a repeated rhythmic pattern. Identify the rhythmic pattern. (1)

2. Name the musical device played by the Bodhrán. (1)

3. Identify two similarities between extract A and extract B. You should refer to musical elements. (2)

4. Identify one instrument heard in extract B but not in extract A. (1)

5. These extracts combine elements of African and Irish music. Apart from instrumentation, identify two African musical features heard in either of these extracts. (2)

40 - Afro Celt Sound System: Release (1.38-2.38)

1. Describe the tonality of the extract. (1)

2. Name the type of voice that is heard in the extract. (1)

3. Identify the time signature of the extract. (1)

4. Explain how the texture of the music changes after the last vocal line. (2)

5. Much of the vocal melody is based on a repeating motif, first heard at the beginning of the extract. Give three differences between the melody and rhythm of the last line of the extract, ‘be happy for me’, and the repeating motif. (3)

6. On what type of scale is the vocal melody based? (1)

7. Name two West African instruments in the accompaniment of this song. (2)

8. Complete the following sentence: The accompaniment is based on a repeating ____________ that form a _________ texture (2)

9. Describe three features of the vocal melody that contribute to the sad and melancholy mood of the song (3)

10. Underline one of the following which is the correct tempo of this extract (80 / 100 / 120 / 140 bpm) (1)

11. On which note of the scale does each vocal phrase begin? (1)

12. Identify a rhythmic device that is a feature in the accompaniment of this extract. (1)

13. Comment on how layering is used to vary the texture. (3)

41 - Afro Celt Sound System: Release (3.51- 4.53)

1. Name the instrument that plays the solo part at the beginning of the extract. (1)

2. What country does this instrument originate from? (1)

3. Describe two features of rhythm and metre used in this solo. (2)

4. What melodic devices is heard at the end of the first solo? (1)

5. Evaluate the suitability of the group’s name, Afro Celt Sound System, based on evidence from this piece of music. (4)

6. Name one of the regions whose traditional music influenced the song ‘Release’. (1

42 - Afro Celt Sound System: Release (4.55- 6.02)

1. Explain how significant the role of the bodhrán player is in this extract. (3)

2. Describe how the texture changes at the end of the extract. (2)

3. Evaluate how effectively Afro Celt Sound System have used instrumentation and rhythm to create a piece of fusion. (4)