Why does my heart feel so bad QUESTION SHEET - ANSWERS

Moby: Why does my heart feel so bad from the album ‘Play’
QUESTION SHEET - ANSWERS
(Always use correct vocabulary)
1. In which year was this track released?
(1)
1999
2. What style is this piece of music written in? (1) Dance Music
3. Comment on how Moby uses the following musical elements in Why does my heart feel so bad.
(Remember to use correct musical vocabulary where appropriate.)
(10)
Structure: Alternates A (verse) and B (chorus) sections/intro-verse/chorus/verse/chorus
Melody: i) Uses two vocal samples ii) Taken from a 1953 gospel choir iii) Melody in verse is male
iv) Melody in chorus is female v) Samples have not been ‘cleaned up’
Harmony (chords): i) Whole song based on two simple chord patterns ii) Only uses 6 chords iii) Piano intro
and verse Am/Em/G/D iv) Chorus is C/Am/C/Am then F/C/F/C v) Harmony is diatonic and simple
(characteristic of dance music)
Technology: i) Use of loops ii) Reverb on piano and vocals (Yamaha SPX990) iii) EQ (Equalisation)
iv) Telephone effect (EQ) v) Delay (Yamaha SPX990)/echo vi) Use of filter vii) Drum machine Roland
TR909 viii) Sequencer ix) Sampler (Akai S3200) x) Synth/string pad sounds (Yamaha SY22 and SY85)
xi) Bass synth (Roland Juno 106) xii) Technology considered old fashioned for 1999 but preferred by Moby
Instrumentation: i) Piano ii) Synthesizers iii) Drum machine iv) Synth pads
v) String pads vi) Vocal samples
The following questions relate to the Intro and part of the 1st Verse. (Played two times)
4. Write numbers in the boxes to indicate the order in which the following sounds enter.
Rhythm track
[3]
Piano [1]
Synth strings
[4]
(4)
Vocal sample
5. The chords below are used in this extract. Complete them using staff notation.
[2]
(3)
6. What is a sub-bass and why is it often used in dance music? (2) i) a bass line that sounds below 90Hz
ii) (at a loud enough volume) a sub-bass will be felt more than heard, (enhancing the clubbing experience
for those on the dance floor)
(2)
The following questions relate to the 1st Minute of the track. (Played three times)
7. What is the time signature of the extract? (1) 4/4/Common time/C
8. Complete the 8 bar chord sequence that is repeated throughout the extract. (3)
1
A minor
5
2
A minor / A min / Am / a
3
6
7
G major
G major
4
E minor
E minor / E min / Em / e
8
D major
D major / D maj / D
9. Name two technological effects applied to the music in the extract. (2) Any TWO of: i) EQ (Equalisation)
ii) delay/echo iii) reverb/reverberation iv) compression/limiting v) panning
10. Which word describes the vocals in this extract? Put a cross in the correct box. (1)
A Live

B Sampled

C Sequenced


D Spoken
11. Describe how the texture builds up in this extract. (3)
Starts with (solo) piano/one instrument (1) then adds vocal (sample) (1) then adds rhythm track/drum
Machine (1)/(synth) bass (1)/(synth) strings (1)/2nd piano (1)
Acceptable Answers = starts with one part (1) adds layers/instruments (1) gradually (1)
The following questions relate to the Verse before the breakdown. (Played three times)
12. Which section of the song is the extract taken from? Put a cross in the correct box. (1)
A Chorus

B Intro

C Middle 8

D Verse

13. At the very end of the extract most of the instruments drop out. What is this section called in Dance Music?
Break down
(1)
14. List three studio effects that have been applied to the vocal sample. (3) Any THREE of: i) Delay/echo
ii) Reverb iii) Compression iv) EQ (Equalisation) v) Limiting vi) Filtering vii) Panning
15. Listen to the drum part.
(i) Have the drums been performed live or have they been programmed? (1) Programmed
(ii) Give a musical reason for your answer. (1) Any valid MUSICAL reason. For instance: They sound
rather mechanical/they are very precise/they sound electronic rather than acoustic
(3)
16. Give two musical reasons why you like or dislike this song.
(2) Any TWO musical reason
The following questions relate to Sections Bx1 and Bx2. (Played three times)
12. What is the tempo of the song? Put a cross in the correct box. (1)
A 98 bpm

B 118 bpm

C 138 bpm

13. Identify three differences and three similarities between the two extracts.
D 158 bpm

(6)
DIFFERENCES Any THREE of:
i) Instrumentation (must be specific) - no drums (1), bass (1) or piano (1) in second extract
ii) Second extract has more reverb iii) Vocals are quieter in the second extract
iv) More sustained chordal accompaniment in the second extract
SIMILARITIES Any THREE of:
i) Same key ii) Same time signature iii) Same tempo iv) Same vocal sample/same lyrics
v) Both are taken from the chorus vi) Both include the synth string pad
14. When was the album ‘Play’ released? Put a cross in the correct box. (1)
A 1979

B 1989

C 1999

D 2009
