SEAN QUINN - 89273

‘Alone’ – Marshmello (A commentary)

Overall the melody is made up of angularly shaped phrases, for they show no direct arching
ascent or descent, more a haphazard change of register and direction. The common interval range
is quite small, ranging between 3rds and 5ths, none of which poses any great difficulty to the
shape of the piece. The form is a condensed ABA, but could be seen as a repetitious AA form
due to the almost identical melodic line in the two identifiable phrases.

The tonality of the melody is mainly major, although it undergoes an unlisted “one-bar”
interchange with a minor tonality (incidental and not easily noticed). The register mainly would
sit to the middle of the piano/keyboard, leading to the octave just above. If placing this into a
musical category, it would be placed in the electronic-pop style, having a steady beat with
straight rhythms and very little variation from crotchet and quaver notations. Towards the latter
“half” of the melody, a surge of dynamic proportions is observed with introduction of exterior
accompaniment parts that assist in the surge.

In conclusion, thus far the piece has a simple but catchy feel about it, being made up of basic
timings and rhythms, along with a limited tonal range that is conducted by simple musical
movement and intervals, making it easily memorable. It possesses numerous features, including
instrumentation and tonality that emphasise its electronic style, which could provide viable
evidence that the piece is played on electronic keyboards and drum machines, along with other
assorted auxiliary electronic effects, each note containing metallic qualities through its playing.

Sean,

Whilst the first part of the melody is angular, it is then balanced out with step-wise movement.
The range is actually from 2nds to 6ths – probably it’s best to be a little more general eg ‘uses a
small interval range’ or ‘intervals less than an octave’

There are 4 phrases rather than two – one is a question and then there is an answer, then it
repeats.

Re tonality – yes major but the minor chord is within the major scale so it stays in the one key.

The rest of the analysis is very good – well done on this first attempt at describing melody.

Blue highlighted section is a ‘value judgement’ in which you are stating your opinion. Deal with
only the facts about the melody, rather than judging it by saying it’s ‘simple’, ‘catchy’, ‘easily
memorable’. Whilst these may all be true, they are not necessary for the task.

Yellow highlighted sections are unnecessary. Keep to the point of the task.

Happy to discuss the highlighted parts further 

Kv