Popular+Worship+Music

Lucy Allerton
 * Popular Worship Music**

Popular Worship music has developed over the past sixty years and is stylistically similar to pop music. These songs are often referred to as 'praise songs' or 'worship songs' and are typically lead by a guitarist or pianist. Lyrically, informal language is utilized using terms such as 'I' and 'we' as opposed to 'God', for example 'I know your love is all that I need'. The music often uses simple times signatures such at 2/4 or 4/4 as they are easy to lead with. Some techniques common to popular worship music include: the strong sense of home key, climatic chorus and repeated motifs. Its simplicity means that anyone with some degree of competency on a musical instrument may join in the leading of it. In church, the band generally consists of three or four vocalists, a drum kit, bass guitar, one or two guitars and keyboard. Popular music also encompasses pieces composed by Christian artists with pop characteristics.

Some examples of Popular Worship Bands include: Some examples of Popular Worship Artists include:
 * Hillsong
 * NewDay
 * Gungor
 * MercyMe
 * Eleven22
 * Brooke Fraser
 * Karyn Williams
 * Audrey Assad
 * Casey Darnell

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 * Shadowfeet - Brooke Fraser (Analysis)**

**Structure**
Verse One Chorus Verse 2 Chorus Bridge Chorus x2

**Pitch**
F# major This major key uplifts the mood and style of the song and gives it a positive feeling of praising God Smooth contour Small vocal range used (lower pitch) Wider vocal ranger (contrasting higher register) First half is similar to verse one Second half higher in pitch Second half of V2 leads into the chorus with the higher pitch High pitch There is more vocal ornamentation throughout this double chorus
 * V1**
 * Chorus**
 * V2**
 * Chorus**
 * Bridge**
 * Chorus x2**

**Duration**
4/4 beat Tempo: 72 crotchet beats per minute Andante The chords played by the piano at the beginning are played straight and sustained Vocals are generally legato The bass drum part is syncopated. The piano chords can be considered as a melodic ostinato as they are repeated throughout throughout the verses and bridge. The lead guitar plays a melodic ostinato in a descending sequence through the chorus. There is a slight ritardando at the end of the piece with the piano and vocals.

**Tone Colour**
The which the vocals are lower in pitch, her voice is smooth, mellow and warm, as opposed to the bright sound of the higher pitched phrases. The drummer uses the rim of the kit to make a higher-pitched, wooden percussion sound. The clashing of cymbals creates a metallic sound throughout the parts that are more dense in texture, for example, the last chorus. Bass guitar and bass drum help to provide deeper sound.

**Dynamics and Expressive Techniques**
//Piano// Builds to //mezzo forte// Dynamics crescendo to //forte// //Forte// The vocals in the bridge could be considered //dolce// The dynamics become suddenly //piano// and then crescendo into the chorus This section is the loudest and most dense throughout the piece at //fortissimo// Decrescendos suddenly at the end and the vocals fade out
 * V1**
 * Chorus**
 * V2**
 * Chorus**
 * Bridge**
 * Chorus x2**

**Texture**
- Vocals singing melody - Pianos playing chords - Drum kit introduced playing basic beat, keeping tempo Rhythm guitar added Added drum rhythm Lead guitar part plays chords Texture becomes sparse - Vocals (dynamics become suddenly softer) - Drum kit (rhythm, tempo) - Piano (chords) Texture builds in density - Vocals (louder, some higher pitch phrases, more ornamentation) - Drum Kit (louder cymbal crashes) - Guitar (Rhythm and lead) - Piano (chords played louder) Last phrase the texture becomes sparse again - Drum kit (stops) - Vocals (piano - dynamics) - Piano (basic chords like V1) - Guitar (Rhythm stops, sustained note by lead)
 * V1**
 * Chorus**
 * V2**
 * Chorus**
 * Bridge**
 * Chorus x2**

In the beginning of my composition, I decided to use psalms from the bible to correlate verses reflecting God. I took central concepts from the bible, such as Jesus dying on the cross to take away our sins and that He is our 'saviour and truth'. Once I had composed lyrics, I began playing around with melodies that I thought would suit the feel of the song. It took me a while to come up with a melody so I came up with some chords that matched small melodies that I had created and then built my song off them. Mr Scully then assisted in recording the guitar chords and lyrics. We then added virtal drums that started off very basic and as the song progressed. After that, I decided that the piece needed a bass line so that was recorded last.
 * Composition Reflection (Holy, Lord)**

Overall, my composition came together quite well. Next time I think I would begin a central idea and then decide on chords first before lyrics as I found it difficult creating a melody without a key.