Listen to this extract from the opening theme of Jaws (first 50 seconds would be played). What musical devices does Williams use to build the feeling of tension? (4 marks)
The extract begins with a rising semi-tone played at a low volume at a very low range (tessitura). The dynamics slowly increase (crescendo) throughout (1) and the semi-tone idea returns closer and closer together which creates tension as you begin to wonder what is going to happen next (1). The semi-tone idea then increases in tempo dramatically (1) and off beat accents enter in the percussion to shock the listener.
AH
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