Written Assignment 1: Standard Song Interpretation
Purpose: To compare two different versions of the same song
Beginning in the 1930s, standards became an important part of many singers’ repertoires. Singers needed to know and be able to perform classic songs by George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, and others. Each singer interpreted the song differently and offered a unique take on it.
Choose one of the following standards and listen to two different singers’ interpretations of it. Compare and contrast those singers’ versions in terms of form, vocal style, instrumentation, expression, and any other relevant parameters.
Cole Porter, “I Get a Kick Out of You”
Performed by Ella Fitzgerald
Performed by Ethel Merman
George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, “The Man I Love”
Performed by Billie Holiday
Performed by Peggy Lee
Important Hint
It’s recommended that you type up your response in a word processing program and save a copy for yourself. This way, if you lose your internet connection, you will not lose your work.
Assignment 1 Guidelines
On your computer, log in to your C4ELink account and use the Spotify links to listen to the complete songs. You must use the C4ELink versions of the songs in order to complete the assignment accurately. You may create a free Spotify account, or you may subscribe to a student account for $5/month.
Write an essay of at least three paragraphs comparing the two versions of the song. Start by identifying the title and composer of the selection. For each version of the song, address each of the following items:
The name of the performer.
A short analysis of the following points:
Instrumentation: What instruments are used in the recording? Identify the instruments specifically by name and describe how they are used in the recording. Are they used as background to the singer? Are there solo breaks played by the instruments? Which instruments play together? Which instruments play solos?
Form: Review the Structure of Music lecture and the analysis of “I Got Rhythm” in the Broadway and Ragtime lecture to remember how composers use form to organize compositions. Indicate if there is an introduction, whether any sections repeat, if there is a chorus that repeats, etc. Each of the songs have an A section and a B section. Indicate the first line of lyrics that start each section. If there is a chorus, indicate the first few words that the chorus begins with. There is no need to count how many bars are in each section.
Vocal style: In your own words, be as descriptive and creative as possible when writing about the vocal style. There is no need to use musical terms. For example, if you think the voice is soft and gentle, or loud and yelling, use those terms. If you already know the musical terms ‘head voice’ and ‘chest voice’ means, use those terms.
Overall performance style: Where would you expect to hear the version of the song performed? In a small nightclub, a big concert hall, in a movie, etc.
Any additional information you think is important.
Your finished project will have a description of instrumentation, form, vocal style, and overall performance style of two recordings of the same song.
Your essay should be a minimum of 500 words. Write an essay, not a list of items. 15 points will be deducted for poor grammar, spelling errors, and typos.
Please be aware that professors have posted fake essay answers to this assignment online. In past semesters, students have copied those fake essays and submitted them as their own work. Not only did they dishonestly submit someone else’s work as their own, they turned in worthless, fake essays. Please be honest and submit your own work.
Grading Rubric
Your work will be graded using the Assignment 1 Grading Rubric below.
The essay is at least 3 paragraphs and 500 words.
Each song is properly identified.
In your own words, described the instrumentation of each version of the song
Used lyrics to describe the form of each version of the song
In your own words, described the vocal style of the singer of each version of the song
In your own words described the overall style of each version of the song.
