Preadolescent Song Analysis

Preadolescent is our first original that was mainly wrote by Rowan who is our lead guitarist. Rowan managed to incorporate a lot of different chords that I wouldn't have usually used before being in this band therefore this song tested my knowledge of what I as a bass player can play along with the chords whilst being able to lock in with the drums.

The chords for the whole song are as follows:

.Verse: F Major 7, D Major sharp 13th, G Minor 7th flat 5th,

.Pre-chorus: C# Minor 7, F# Major, D 7, A minor

.Chorus: D Major 7, D# minor 7 with a flat 5, E Major 7, F minor 7 with a flat 5, F# minor 7, G# minor 7

.Bridge: C Major 7, A minor 7, D sus 4, G6

Rowan came with the chords in one of a first pod sessions, after we had worked on our cover of J. Cole's Power Trip and Kendrick Lamar's Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe, where he said that he had ideas for a new song. He said that he was experimenting with different unusual chords that aren't usually used in songs. The use of the different chords help to add texture and a unique feel to song. The fact that a lot of the chords have 7th's and 5th's also add dynamics and more texture. Me and Jack helped Rowan put together a whole structure for the song.

This is the structure for the song:

Intro* (Rowans guitar)

Verse (Charlotte's Verse)

Pre-Chorus

Chorus

Verse (Kit's Verse)

Pre-Chorus

Chorus

Bridge (Marco's Trumpet Solo)

* (The same part as the intro with just Rowan playing)

Pre-Chorus

Chorus

Chorus (Rowan's Solo)

Outro

The chords in the intro are the same as the verse. They help to introduce the song nicely. The large structure and use of different chords makes it a very progressive song. There is a wide range of instrumentation as well. Me on bass, Charlotte on Vocals, Kit on Vocals, Marco on Keys and Trumpet, Rowan on lead Guitar and Jack on Drums. We feel that due to our wide range of instruments it gives room to incorporate different melodies of our own. I tried to add some melodies on the bass whilst managing to groove with the drums, most notably in the verse. I got the idea to add a melody along with the chords from bassists such as Geddy Lee and Jaco Pastorius. I usually play lots of mute notes within songs, Jaco was known for this and that style of playing is partly in my bass playing in Preadolescent. If I were to relate our song to a style of music it would be Neo Soul. This genre is "Heavily based in soul music, neo soul is distinguished by a less conventional sound than its contemporary R&B counterpart, with incorporated elements ranging from jazz, funk, and hip hop to pop, fusion, and African music." (http://15001801.wix.com/wills-music1-blog#!Bibliography/ba7il/575d96060cf2cc77ac0073c7)

There are definitely influences of jazz and soul within this song. For instances, the use of passing chords which are used in the chorus would be found within Bebop, a type of jazz which included such notable artists like Charlie Parker and Max Roach, and Charlotte's approach to her vocals are very powerful and soulful. Kit's rap in the 2nd verse also adds to the Neo Soul feel and makes it sound like a song by The Roots who are known for being categorised as Neo Soul artists.

My bass part for Preadolescent, which can be heard here (http://15001801.wix.com/wills-music1-blog#!demo-recordings/ozqbk), manage to really lock in with the drums which are pushing interms of the kick, this gives me the chance to add more notes so that I am able to completely groove with the drums. This creates a strong rhythm section. "The drums and bass both supply a rhythmic pulse for the music, and the bass instrument supplies a harmonic foundation with a bassline." (http://15001801.wix.com/wills-music1-blog#!Bibliography/ba7il/575d96060cf2cc77ac0073c7). This is the case of Preadolescent with Marco's keys also helping to add the foundation whilst Charlotte and Kit's vocals are able to sit nicely on top of the foundation that the rhythm section have built. Rowan's guitar also adds to the foundation within the song for he is playing chords throughout until the last chorus where he is soloing. During the chorus there is a slight change in roles of what the rhythm section is expected to play for I am incorporating melodies, whilst still holding the groove with the drums, into my playing and the guitar is helping the rhythm section. Usually its reversed where melodies are left to the guitarist. Bands such as Rush and Primus are known for the bassists to deliver the main melody in a song whilst the guitarists hold back.

Jacks drums really hold everything together. They swung rhythm, which is played on the ride, really creates a laid back feel but still manages to drive the song forward. The time signature for the song is 4/4.