Examine the flying theme from ET by John Williams and highlight how this piece represents flight.

The flying theme from ET shows flight through the ascending motif, first raising by a 5th in bar 8, then an octave in bar 10 and finally a minor 6th in bar 12. The use of the major key also highlights the happiness and contemptment associated with flying, and makes use of a variety of both related and unrelated major keys, eg beginning in C major then modulating to B major for the transition. The orchestral instrumentation provides a sense of magic, especially the use of the horns to play the melody gives a sense of power and strength, and this is contrasted by the strings playing the melody which gives a sense of weightlessness. The outro is especially symbolic of flight as this shows the conclusion of flight, the harp gives a magical sense whilst the bells provide the power and determination needed for flight. The use of the false relation (E in the treble instruments against Eb in the bass), which provides dissonance which is resolved when the Eb resolves up a semitone to an E providing a sense of conclusion. The use of the motor rhythm at the start also represents flying, as this can be seen as taking off, as the strict semiquaver rhythm keeps a strong sense of pulse. 

CS
Answered by Caitlin S. Music tutor

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