How Did George Shearing Compose - Composer Insights

The video tutorial explores the first 8 bars of George Shearing's 'Lullaby of Birdland', focusing on its melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic elements. It highlights the transition from F minor to A flat major, the use of 7th chords, and the impact of syncopation. The analysis provides insights into the song's structure and offers valuable lessons for songwriters and composers.

What is the key transition in the first eight bars of 'Lullaby of Birdland'?

• A minor to E major

• C major to G major

• F minor to A flat major

• D minor to F major

How is the melody in the first phrase of 'Lullaby of Birdland' structured?

• It uses a chromatic scale

• It breaks into two halves

• It is a continuous whole

• It repeats the same note

What is the role of the D flat 7 chord in the harmony?

• It resolves to E major

• It is a dominant chord

• It acts as a submediant chord

• It serves as a tonic chord

How does George Shearing use seventh chords in 'Lullaby of Birdland'?

• To simplify the harmony

• To pull across the bar line

• To avoid modulation

• To create dissonance

What happens to the intervals in the melody as the piece progresses?

• They contract

• They remain the same

• They become chromatic

• They expand

How does the melody change when it is repeated in a higher key?

• It becomes slower

• It is played in a different rhythm

• It is a third higher

• It is played in a minor key

What rhythmic feature adds character to 'Lullaby of Birdland'?

• Triple meter

• Monotone rhythm

• Straight rhythm

• Syncopated rhythm

How does the use of syncopation affect the piece?

• It removes character

• It simplifies the melody

• It adds complexity

• It makes it predictable

What is a notable feature of the phrase endings in 'Lullaby of Birdland'?

• They end on a full beat

• They end on a half beat

• They end on a 1 1/2 beat

• They end on a quarter beat

What is the 'magic mix' that makes 'Lullaby of Birdland' iconic?

• Melody design and harmony interaction

• Fast tempo and loud dynamics

• Complex rhythm and dissonance

• Simple melody and harmony