Louis+Wellings'+Own+Choice+Research+Task

Press play, and have a listen to the song first: media type="youtube" key="E4povfmX144" width="560" height="315" align="center"
 * Louis Wellings' Own Choice Research **

For my Own Choice Research Task I have decided to go with the song **High Hopes,** from **Kodaline.** This will also be the song that I will be playing for the performance aspect of this assessment. If you want to, you can find the lyrics for the song here. //Originally, the band's name was '21 Demands' which lasted from around 2005 - 2011, to where they later changed it to Kodaline.//

**//Analysis//** **1. Characteristics of their style:** Kodaline's style of music varies from indie rock, to alternative rock, to folk rock too. Although 'Indie rock' can be a very broad and diverse style of music, it will usually consist of five main instruments: guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals. Kodaline's lead singer, //Steve Garrigan//, has a soft voice which is easy and soothing to listen to, and can be adapted to many different styles.
 * 2. What is the structure of the piece?**

Verse 1

Verse 2

Chorus

Verse 3

Chorus

Instrumental Link

Chorus

Instrumental Ending/Finale

Guitar, Piano, Vocals, Background Vocals, Tambourine, Bass Drum, Drums, Cymbal (Hi-Hat), Electric Guitar
 * 3. What are the instruments that are playing in the piece?**

Slow to moderate.
 * 4. How would you describe the tempo of the piece?**

Starts out slow, then through the choruses and as the song progresses it gets more intense and builds up speed.
 * 5. Does the tempo change or is it the same throughout?**

Begins softly, with simple piano chords layered underneath the lead vocals. As the verse progresses, acoustic guitar becomes more prominent, climaxing in a gentle but powerful chorus that combines vocals, drums, guitars and piano. The song continues to grow in depth and dynamic, with an exciting guitar solo. In order to portray expression and emotion, the volume increases gradually.
 * 6. Describe the dynamics of the piece. Is it loud or soft? Is it always loud or soft or does it change? If it changes, does it change suddenly or gradually?**

No, not all of the instruments play the entire time. The first verse is just the piano, then in the second verse the guitar comes in too. The chorus introduces more instruments such as the tambourine and the bass drum, then as it transitions into the third verse, the drums begin to play too.
 * 7. Do all the instruments play all the time? Are there some sections that have more or less instruments that others?**

The snare softly echoes and gradually tapers off. The electric guitar possibly has an echoing effect as well.
 * 8. Do any of the instruments have any effects? Maybe the guitars?**

Yes, he has a gentle yet strong voice, that varies in range.
 * 9. Does the singer have a distinctive sound voice?**

There are backup vocals, although they only sing in the chorus and as it leads up to it.
 * 10. Are there back up vocals? Do they sing the whole way through or just in certain sections?**

2:43 - Both the eletric guitar and the drums play together in the instrumental solo.
 * 11. Is there an instrumental solo? What instrument plays the solo?**

4 beats per bar - 4/4
 * 12. Can you identify how many beats per bar?**


 * 13. Would you say that the song is major (happy sounding) or minor (sad/angry sounding)? ** Minor

The texture throughout the song begins with few instruments playing together, and changes into all of the ones mentioned in Question 3 being played. There aren't too many layers to where it becomes too overwhelming, but they're able to maintain the initial soft, peaceful vibe in all parts. The song is polyphony, with a thin texture, having only a couple of main instruments.
 * 14. Can you make a comment on the texture (texture is all about the layers of sound)...are there many layers or only a few? Is the texture constant throughout or does it change?**

The verses all have the same chords playing behind the vocals, but the chords change as it moves into the chorus. In the chorus we are introduced to a bass drum and tambourine which play for its duration, then a short instrumental plays linking into the second verse where the drums begin to play. The song's pattern is mainly the structure of when the chords are played, and there is a distinct tune played by the electric guitar in the instrumental link, however, I cannot find any noticeable pattern in the song.
 * 15. Are there any repeated patterns used in the piece? If so, what instrument plays them?**

In the verse the chords are C, C/B, Am, F, E7 and G (not in order), and in the chorus it begins with F, to C, C/B, F, and so on, so they do differ.
 * 16. If you were to look your song up on Ultimate-Guitar and look at the chords, is there a different chord pattern between the verse and the chorus (and the bridge) or is it the same?**

3:02 - After the instrumental solo, all of the instruments and backup vocals come in to create a peaceful crescendo. **Chords Used:** Verses: C C/E Am F C E7 Am G F C E7 Am G F (hold for 2) G Choruses: F C C/E A G F C C/E A G F C E7 A G F G
 * 17. Think about where the piece reaches its high point? Which section is it? What happens to make you think that this is the high point of the song?**

//** Instrument Analysis **//