Analytical Assignment – Music
Analytical Paper
You are required to write an analytical essay of approximately 5 pages in length of text (not counting any title or reference pages), focusing on the analysis of the words and music of 3 Beatle songs, ideally from different periods in the group’s stylistic development. You will consider the interaction of words and music, focusing on how a song’s message is conveyed by different musical techniques. More information about the paper will be provided in the Analytical Paper Guidelines and Grading Rubric that are on the Modules page in Canvas. This paper’s purpose is to demonstrate your full engagement with the lyrics and music of the songs. It is NOT a research paper, so use of outside sources is optional; if used, however, they must be minimal (used only to support your own ideas) and be cited. Stringing together of facts and background information from elsewhere will not help, but actually HURT your paper grade.
Note: Just try to identify those unique musical aspects as best you can, applying knowledge from the course. Then try to ascertain how or if the music seems to support the ideas being put forth in the song’s lyrics. And when you think about the lyrics along with the music, as you go through the song, you may find that certain things jump out at you. Like, perhaps a stop in the motion of the rhythm–try to figure out why that might be. Or the melody rising or lowering on certain words or phrases. Or tempo or key changes, use of unusual instruments, etc. I don’t expect a music major type of analysis, but that of an informed layperson, so try to incorporate music terms appropriately when possible. The best thing to do is to listen to each song multiple times, and take some notes about what you hear. Then, finally, form your own informed interpretation based on both the music and the lyrics and how they work together.
I have posted sample papers of other students but those got B grade.
I need to follow the rubric to get the highest grade. Thanks,
