Kate

Alternative
Characteristics: The genre of alternative pop has characteristics that change, as different pieces will have different sounds through the use of different performing media. From this, different textures and tone colours are created.

- Sparse texture through first verse and introduction. Only acoustic guitar plays simple chords through the introduction. Female vocals are then added in the first verse. - A monophonic melody is played throughout the piece, with only vocals singing the main melody. - The tonality of the piece is major. - Male and female voices sing this main melody in unison from the first chorus onwards. The addition of male vocals adds an element of depth to the sound. - As the piece progresses, the texture becomes dense as more instruments are incorporated into the piece. The larger number of instruments used means there is more accompaniment to the line of vocals. - The vocal line is doubled by electric guitar in the later stages of the piece. This adds to the overall dense texture towards the end of the song. - Contrast is created through the percussive tone colour created through the use of drums and percussion, and the more natural sounds of male and female voices. - Chord structure remains the same throughout the whole piece. - media type="youtube" key="5AiSrCPvpco" width="560" height="315"
 * Analysis:**
 * 1. King and Lionheart - Of Monsters and Men**

- Texture through the introduction is sparse with only the electronic drum kit being used - A number of electronic sounds are used throughout this piece. the male vocals are the only natural sound source, although they have also been altered. This can be noticed in the chorus. - Polyphonic rhythms are heard throughout the piece, with the main melody being sung by male vocals. The electronic sounds (possibly electric keyboard) accompany the main melody - A number of tone colours are used, including both electronically generated sounds and more natural sounds such as vocals and hand clapping. Through the piece the percussive sounds such as the hand clapping and those created by the electronic drum kit contrast the smoother sound of the male vocals, and the longer sustained notes played by the keyboard. - High pitched electronic sounds that are heard through the introduction create an element of interest as the texture becomes more dense. - The texture becomes its most sparse at the chorus after the bridge, where only vocals and electronic keyboard playing sustained chords can be heard. - The structure of the piece is that of standard pop-song structure - Intro - verse 1 - chorus - verse 2 - chorus x 2 - bridge - chorus x 2 - chorus melody media type="custom" key="26033786"
 * 2. Helena Beat - Foster the People**

- Drums, vocals (male with female harmonies), guitar, bass guitar and chimes are used throughout the piece - The range of performing media used created a variety of tone colours. The ringing sound of the bells in the introduction contrasts the smoother sound of the vocal line and melody played by guitar. - The male vocals sing the main melody, accompanied by acoustic guitar that plays a repeated melodic motif. Female sing harmony over the main melody in the chorus - Texture varies throughout the piece. The verses have a generally sparse texture, with only guitar, bass, drums and male vocals being heard. Though the chorus incorporates female vocals, making the texture denser. Harmonising of the female vocals also creates a slightly louder dynamic level in the piece. - The dynamics in the verses are softer than the dynamics in the chorus - intro - verse 1 - chorus - verse 2 - chorus - outro media type="custom" key="26126016"
 * 3. All The Little Lights - Passenger**

- Overall, the texture is sparse throughout the piece. - A range of performing media are used throughout the piece. - The tone colour of the vocals contrasts the percussive sound of the bells, however there is a similarity in the warmer tone colours of the strings and female vocals. The accordion also creates a warm tone colour to an extent, although it is a reedy sound that is also created. - Female vocals, bass, accordion, strings, bells and acoustic guitar are used. - The texture is sparse throughout the piece as there are only monophonic rhythms used, with female vocals singing the main melody. - Repetition is created throughout the piece with the acoustic guitar playing the same chord progression for the whole song. The same accompanying notes played by bells and accordion are also used throughout. - The extended break in the middle of the piece allows only naturally occurring sounds in the background to be heard. From this point on, the texture gradually grows and becomes dense again. media type="custom" key="26268302"
 * 4. Love Love Love - Of Monsters and Men**

- The male vocals sing the main melody in a higher, airy tone. - The tonality of the piece is minor. Minor scales are used in the accompaniment played by guitar. - The texture gradually becomes more dense as the piece progresses, as does the dynamic level. With the introduction of more layers comes a louder dynamic level. - The piece is of a monophonic rhythm, with the main melody being sung by male vocals, and piano, cello and guitar playing accompaniment throughout. - The introduction and verses have the same repeated rhythm played by guitar as accompaniment. This is where the texture is at its most sparse in the piece - Intro - verse 1 - middle melody 1 - verse 2 - bridge - middle rhythm 2 - last verse media type="custom" key="26281591"
 * 5. Circles - Passenger**
 * -** The use of acoustic guitar, bass, male vocals, piano, cello, glockenspiel and banjo creates a wide variety of tone colours. The percussive and metallic sounds of the drums and glockenspiel contrast the mellow sound of the cello and lower register of the piano.