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Summary Edexcel GCSE Music: Defying gravity full analysis active retrieval format

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High quality full analysis of set work 'Defying gravity' by Stephen Schwartz for Edexcel GCSE Music. Includes 2 pages of notes focusing on melody, harmony, rhythm, tone, instrumentation and structure in an easy to use active recall format.

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DEFYING GRAVITY
Describe Dynamics ff Describe Melody Syllabic
pp Wide range -> drama
sf Conjunct
fp Disjunct
Crescendo Vocalisation
Diminuendo Recitative
Rising perfect fifth (B34)
Describe articulation Marcato Compound perfect fifth (B140)
Legato Legato
Staccato Ascending sequence (B6-7)
Accents Hexatonic (B71-79)
Fermata Triadic (B51-53)
Tremelo Angular

Describe texture Homophonic How is Elphaba + Elphaba: Conjunct/ angular/
Monophonic (intro) Glinda’s melodies disjunct/ involves belting
Sparse (intro/underscore B90) different?  Conflict within Elphaba
Unison  Desire for independence
Polyphonic (B168-end) -> Glinda: Conjunct/ Longer note
drama values/ not syncopated
Describe Harmony +  Simplicity = perfect child
effects Augmented chords
Half-diminished
Chromatic chords What type of Elphaba: Mezzo-soprano
Perfect cadence vocalists sing Glinda: Soprano
 Increased confidence/ Elphaba + Glinda’s
decisive roles?
Bare fifth
Circle of fifths (B69-70) Name instrument Tremelo
Interrupted cadence techniques used Palm muting
Dominant pedal Chorus
Parallel shifting Delay
Tonic pedal Flange
Dissonance E-bow (guitar)
Sus chords Pedal glissandi (timpani)
Inverted pedal (B162-167) Overdrive
Root position chords Cymbal roll
Describe
instrumentation Large orchestra -> drama How many themes 3
- Woodwind (+ piccolo/ are included? “Elphaba’s theme”
bass clarinet/ cor “Unlimited theme”
anglais) Main melodic idea for orchestra
- Strings (+ harp)
- Brass Genre/ Context Musical theatre
- Tubular bells Concept musical
- Timpani Act 1 finale song
Pop instruments  Show stopper
- Drum kit  Memorable
- Electric guitar
- Synthesiser
- Keyboards
Vocalists (soloists +chorus)

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Connected book

Paul Terry Edexcel GCSE Music Revision Guide

Edition:14 november 2016
ISBN:9781785581687
Edition:Unknown

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Institution: GCSE
Study: GCSE
Module: Music
School year: 200

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Summarized whole book?: Yes
Uploaded on: March 23, 2026
Number of pages: 2
Written in: 2023/2024
Type: SUMMARY

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Summary Edexcel GCSE Music: Defying gravity full analysis active retrieval format

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