Popular music can be used as background knowledge by music educators in order to educate students on elements of classical music, such as form and compositional devices

Williams, Emily

English

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The PeriodHouse of Gold (Twenty One Pilots - 2013)Symphony No.94 in G major, Hob.I:94 (2nd Movement) (Haydn - 1791)Background knowledge is “the knowledge students have learned both formally in the classroom as well as informally through life experiences”. By understanding the many ways that classical forms and compositional devices have influenced the popular, mainstream music our students listen to every day, we can access our students’ background knowledge and interest to bring understanding to music history and theory. In this way, we can introduce musical concepts students may not have otherwise understood and enjoyed.Access Interactive Resources at EmilyWilliamsResearch.weebly.comor just scan here!Classical Forms in Modern Popular Music Popular music can be used as background knowledge by music educators in order to educate students on elements of classical music, such as form and compositional devices.Research by: Emily Williams Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Jennifer DalmasDa Capo AriaMusicbox (Regina Spektor – 2006)Spektor uniquely embellishes the repeat of the A section with noises illustrating the sound of swallowing bubbles, as per the lyrics of the song.“He Was Despised” from Messiah(Handel – 1741)Handel leaves the ornamentation up to the performer. These elements include trills, appoggiaturas, and turns, as well as cadenzas. This task, which was once common practice, must now be carefully studied in order to be historically accurate. Modern performance practice can easily over-embellish these Baroque period works.Leitmotifs“Hamilton” (Lin-Manuel Miranda – 2015)“Alexander Hamilton” (m. 43) “Satisfied” (m. 51)This motif denotes a character: Alexander Hamilton“Das Rheingold”/”Die Walküre” (Wagner – 1848)“Das Rheingold” Act 1, Scene 1         “Die Walküre” Act 1, Scene 3The motif, called the “Renunciation of Love Motif”, denotes Siegmund’s need for loveThe period is an 8 measure theme built out of two phrases: a 4 measure antecedent, followed by a 4 measure consequent… An antecedent phrase begins with a 2 measure basic idea followed by a two measure contrasting idea... The consequent phrase repeats the antecedent by bring a return of the original basic idea.Caplin, William Earl. Analyzing classical form: an approach for the classroom. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press, 2013.According to classical theory, this appears to be a basic ternary form; however, Spektor and Handel add an element that elevates this to a form known as the “Da Capo Aria”. This element is added embellishment, for the purpose of personalization and expression.Leitmotif: a theme, or other coherent musical idea, clearly defined so as to retain its identity if modified on subsequent appearances, whose purpose it to represent or symbolizes a person, object, place, idea, state of mind, supernatural force, or any other ingredient in a dramatic work. (Oxford Music Dictionary)Time 27” 49” 1’13”Classical Form A B AVernacular Form Chorus Verse ChorusInstrumentation Piano and VoiceMeasure 1-44 45-67 1-44Classical Form A B AVernacular Form Chorus Verse ChorusInstrumentation Voice, StringsLyric FormShe asked me, "Son, when I grow old, Antecedent (Basic Idea)Will you buy me a house of gold? Antecedent (Contrasting Idea)And when your father turns to stone, Consequent (Repeat of Basic Idea)Will you take care of me?" Consequent (Contrasting Idea)Antecedent: Basic Idea                          Contrasting IdeaConsequent: Basic Idea                          Contrasting IdeaPhoto by Theo Wargo/WireImage

Classical Forms in Modern Popular Music

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Classical Forms in Modern Popular Music

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