Music is an art form that has existed in human society for thousands of years. It is a global language capable of eliciting a wide range of emotions and sentiments in its listeners. In this essay, I will compare a song that I enjoy to one that I do not enjoy and elaborate on how they differ in terms of rhythm, melody, and mode.
In terms of mode, one song that I enjoy is “Shape of My Heart” by Sting. It primarily uses the minor mode which creates a sense of tension and dissonance in the music. This song is a beautiful and contemplative ballad that features a slow rhythm. The pace is established by the use of a simple drum loop and a steady bass line. The melody is based on a simple but evocative, guitar motif that is repeated throughout the song. On the other hand, a song that I do not enjoy is “Baby” by Justin Bieber. The melody has a fast and upbeat rhythm established by the heavy use of synthesizers and drum machines. The melody uses major scales and is based on a repetitive and simplistic catchy phrase repeated throughout the song.
The major and minor modes came to be preferred over the other modes for a long historical period because of the distinct emotional qualities they convey. The major scale is frequently connected with sentiments of pleasure and optimism, whereas the minor scale is usually associated with emotions such as sadness and melancholy (Ferris, 2010). The reason for this difference lies in the sound of the third note. The distinction is that the third note is the whole step in major mode and half step in minor (Ferris, 2010). What unites major and minor mode but differ them from other modes is the tonic note. This note is the first and the last of these two scales. It is the most frequently repeated note that is the basis of composition (Ferris, 2010). This emotional association has been reinforced over time through cultural and historical usage, leading to their frequent usage in music. Many composers today use modal instead of, or as well as tonal effects in their music because of the unique emotional and expressive qualities of the different modes.
To conclude, because of the particular emotional aspects they transmit, the major and minor modes have been frequently used in music. In this sense, the main difference between the two songs is that “Shape of My Heart” is a melodic song with minor modes, while “Baby” is an upbeat song with major modes. The former song is a display of musicianship and artistry, while the latter is more of a commercial product.
Reference
Ferris J., Worster, L. (2010). Music: The Art of Listening (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. Web.