Biography on Bach, HELP !!!

chagnauer · Newbie Alert Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

I am taking a music appreciation class and have to write a biography on a composer. I have chosen to do it on Bach. I have found information about his life ( any tid bits of out of the ordinary would be helpful) but am not really sure about the SMHRFL Form of any particular composition. Any help[ would be very much appriecieated Sorry about spelling, it won't let me fix it.
Paper #1
MUSIC APPRECIATION
COMPOSER BIOGRAPHY FORM

Notes: This paper should be typed and double-spaced. It should be at least five pages long. There should be a cover page with your name, class, etc. You should use at least 2 other sources besides your book. You may use internet sources.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You must cite references within the body of your paper, or it is considered “plagiarism.” Also, you must have a “Works Cited” page at the end of your paper. (See “Success Center/Writing Center” for help.)

I. First Section – Write a detailed description of the composer’s life.
II. Second Section – Write about the composer’s musical compositions and
his/her main contributions to music. Include the SMHRFL(Sound, Melody, Harmony, Rhythm, Form, Lyrics) musical elements when possible, see below. Also, write how this composer’s music expressed the time period in which he/she lived.
Note: The first 2 sections may be written together.
III. Musical Analysis -Choose one composition or movement of one large work by the composer and write a detailed Musical Analysis (SMHRFL) Form. Remember to include Tone Painting.
IV.Grammar, sentence structure, spelling

SMHRFL FORM (Sound, Melody, Harmony, Rhythm, Form, Lyrics)
MUSICAL ELEMENTS

S = SOUND - the notes and pauses that you hear

SOUND SOURCE – WHAT CREATES THE SOUND
Names of the Instruments (4 families of the orchestra)
Vocal Parts – Male/Female – Vocal Parts
Other Sound Sources

TEXTURE – THE WAY IN WHICH MUSICAL SOUNDS ARE COMBINED
Monophonic – A single melody line – no accompaniment
Homophonic - A melodic line with accompaniment

Polyphonic – 2 or more separate musical lines sounded at the same time

PITCH – How high or low the notes go

DYNAMICS – How loud or soft the notes are played or sung

DURATION – How long or short the notes are played or sung

M = MELODY - Several individual pitches played or sung consecutively

WHO HAS THE MELODY? – A particular instrument, An individual vocal part, Another sound source?

H = HARMONY – The way the chords are constructed and how they progress

IS IT MAJOR OR MINOR?

R = RHYTHM – The beat or pulse of the music

IS THE METER DUPLE/TRIPLE - The feel of the beat

Duple – Can be counted in 2’s or 4’s
Triple – Can be counted in 3’s

WHAT IS THE TEMPO? –How fast or slow the piece goes

F = FORM = The structure of the piece from beginning to end

Binary, Ternary, or some other compositional form, e.g., symphony

L = LYRICS (WORDS) – The text or words sung

What is the language? What is the culture?

Are the lyrics religious or spiritual?

Are the lyrics secular (non-religious)?

What do the lyrics mean?

Are the lyrics symbolic? Do they have underlying meaning?

Is there word or tone painting in the music? (Do the words or sounds of the Instruments convey images?)