AboutPhil Kelly Expertise I`m a semi-retired professional music arranger with over thirty five years in all phases of the commercial music production business. I can try to answer questions regarding music arranging, theory, orchestration , and/or composition for most acoustic ensembles .( jazz band or orchestral ) I can try to offer suggestions about studio music recording procedures and some basic MIDI applications , too. In the course of my career I`ve worked with such artists as Doc Severinsen and the old Tonight Show Band, Bill Watrous, Buddy Greco, John Gary, Mel Torme, Julius LaRosa, as well as the Pop programs of the Fort Worth, Dallas, North Carolina, and Houston Symphonies, as well as library music material for ABC, ESPN, and NFL Films.
Expert: Phil Kelly Date: 1/3/2007 Subject: Musicals
Question Hello,
I dont know if this is quite your field or if you had any experience in this sector, but Ill try anyway.
Im interested in musicals, but Im quite confused on the structure of songs in them. Talking about post-war
productions, what is the general layout of songs, be it solos, duets and choruses? How does the skeletal format appear? I would like basically to recognise patterns. Dont be afraid to use any simple or advanced terminology
alike in your answer!
Any help greatly appreciated!
Many thanks indeed, take care..
Answer Hi John:
First off, there are no standard "rules" other than that the songs basically help the plot along
Most of the song forms used in musicals use all the elements found in any "golden age" pre-rock pop songs: (verses, refrains, choruses, recitative. etc ) but in a book musical, the songs often are used to either forward the story and/or comment upon various situations pertinent to the plot. Sometimes they may be inserted as dance numbers to provide some eye candy for the audience after long periods of dialog heavy scenes.
as far as their presentation , this again depends upon the needs of the story at hand and may take shape as solos ,duos, ( often employed in love ballads )
patter or recitative songs, usually as a solo but occasionally with interjections from part or all of the cast ( these are often used in humorous situations ) and finally, as full chorus thematic presentations ( as in the
"theme" ,or "act closers" and of course in the Finale ( and possible reprises )
I suggest you sit down and analyze some of the musicals by contemporary masters like Stephen Sondheim like "Sweeney Todd", A Little Night Music" and "Company". See how and where various type of songs are employed and their relationship ( both lyrically and musically ) towards moving the plot along.
