Theory in Practice: Extended Analysis Project - Cello Suite No. 1 In G Major, BWV 1007

Song of Choice: Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major (Prélude), BWV 1007

 - STEP 2: LISTENING ANALYSIS -
Context
Composer - Johann Sebastian Bach
Composition Date - 1717-1723
Style of Music (Period): Baroque


Musical Elements
Meter - This is hard to tell since it changes frequently but I don't hear any triplets, so I would say (duple simple)
Tonality - Major (Possibly some minor occurrences)
Rhythm: Staccato
Timbre - Chordophone (Cello)
Tempo - Allegro
Texture - There is only one part in this piece, so if anything (Monophonic)

Structure (Fix)
In the whole piece has multiple sections to it, but they all seem to be related somehow.
AB(or extended B)ABC
There are parts where the cello has a "darker" sound to it, and towards the end it ends on higher, "brighter" note

 - STEP 3: DECIPHERING THE SCORE -
- Markings -
Tempo - Allegro (A fast tempo marking between allegretto and vivace)
cresc. - The abbreviation for crescendo 
f - forte
mf - mezzoforte
ff - Abbreviation for fortissimo 
p - piano
Suite - A collection of short musical pieces that can be played one after another. The pieces are usually dance movements
Prélude - An instrumental composition intended to introduce a larger composition or a set of compositions. A short composition for a piano. A composition which establishes the key for a composition that immediately follows
oder. - optional way to play a certain section

- Techniques -
Slurs - Indicates that two or more notes are to be places in one physical stroke
Ties -Indicates that two or more notes are to be played as one note (The notes must be the identical on the same line/space)

- Stylistic Instructions - 
Accidentals - A mark placed before a note which indicates that the previously understood pitch of the note should be altered by one or two half steps 
Sharp - Raises the pitch of a note by one semitone
Flat - Lowers the pitch of a note by one semitone
Natural - Cancels a previous accidental, or modifies the pitch of a sharp or flat as defined by the prevailing key signature

- Articulation - 
Staccato - Indicates the note is to be played shorter than notated, usually half the value
Fermata -A notes, chord, or rest sustained longer than its customary value


- STEP 4: HARMONIC/CADENCE/PARTWRITING ANALYSIS -
In my piece my section was measures 1-7.
I'm not really sure if in the third measure that the correct chord is vii, since the third seems to be missing. I'm not sure if the C# is a passing tone, but I do know it doesn't belong in the scale so it is a chromatic note.

STEP 5:  COMMUNICATING YOUR DISCOVERIES
Bach's Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major (Prélude) only has one "voice": the cello. There are no signs of part-writing in the piece (since it was only written for one voice), so this piece is different from any other pieces we have studied (regarding part-writing) in class. The thing that I enjoy most about the piece is Bach's technique of using slurs. When listening to the piece, the use of slurs makes the song sound sound unique and melodic. They keep the song interesting, and no measure seems to sound the same. I also like how the beginning of the song it sounds bright, then there is this dark phase in the middle, and after that phase, towards the end, it sounds brighter. Bach's use of staccato in the end provides a transition from the piece's "dark phase" and introduces the "brighter" sound of the piece. I think the neighbor tones keep the piece interesting as well.