Composition_Unit 2_Lesson 11
Beth Rivers
Name the two strongest notes of this song by letter name and also by their scale degree names. Explain how you chose these 2 notes, how they function to form 2 types of cadences within this piece, what they "give" to the listener, and anything else you know about why I wrote the melody of this song around those 2 notes.
In order to answer your question accurately, I would need the song or melody that you are referring to. Could you please provide the melody or song for me to analyze?
To answer your question, I need more details about the song "Beth Rivers" and the specific melody you're referring to. Can you provide the sheet music or a description of the melody?
To identify the two strongest notes in a song, we need to analyze the melody and understand their relationship to the key and harmony of the piece. Without the actual song or additional information, I cannot provide specific letter names or scale degrees. However, I can guide you on how to determine these notes and explain their significance.
1. Analyzing the Melody: Start by listening to the song and identifying the recurring or emphasized notes. These are often the melodic peaks or points of tension/resolution. You can also look at the sheet music or use music notation software to visually analyze the melody.
2. Identifying Strongest Notes: The strongest notes are typically the tonic (the note that represents the key of the song) and the leading tone (the note that leads strongly and resolves to the tonic). The tonic provides a feeling of stability and resolution, while the leading tone creates tension and a desire to resolve.
3. Determining Scale Degree Names: Once you have identified the notes, you can assign them scale degree names according to the key of the song. For example, in the key of C Major, the tonic would be called the first scale degree (scale degree I), and the leading tone would be the seventh scale degree (scale degree VII).
4. Cadences: In terms of cadences within the piece, there are typically two primary cadences that create a sense of closure or resolution. The authentic cadence (V-I) is a strong and final cadence where the dominant chord (built on the fifth scale degree) resolves to the tonic chord (built on the first scale degree). The plagal cadence (IV-I) is a gentle and satisfying cadence where the subdominant chord (built on the fourth scale degree) resolves to the tonic chord.
5. Effect on the Listener: By focusing the melody around the tonic and leading tone, it creates a sense of tension and release, providing emotional depth and interest to the song. The resolution to the tonic gives a feeling of stability and completion, while the tension created by the leading tone adds a sense of anticipation and forward movement.
Without knowing the specific details of your song, it's challenging to provide a more precise analysis. However, this general approach should help you identify the strongest notes and understand their significance in forming cadences and influencing the overall melody.