IB MUSIC

Presentation Portfolio
Program Notes
For the presentation portfolio, I chose songs in multiple genres that encapsulate all Four
Areas of Inquiry. The unique and variable nature of the Areas of Inquiry allowed me to select
songs from a variety of genres and sounds. These were performed with two other people on
drums and vocals while I played electric bass.

Area of inquiry One focuses on music for Sociocultural and Political Expression. For this, I
chose Zombie by the Cranberries. I chose this song as it sounds full using the
instrumentation of my group. I chose it for AOI 1 as it is one of the most famous protest
songs of all time. And helped voice the opinion of so many Irish at the time. And many of the
problems and struggles of the Irish people were made known through Zombie. While
specifically being about the bombing in Warrington. The song resonated with the feelings of
the Irish people surrounding this time in its entirety.

Area of Inquiry Two focuses on Listening and performing, for this, I chose my composition. I
composed a bass solo for double bass around the chord changes of the Em chord sheet of
Autumn Leaves. For the bass line, I improvised using a changing pattern of root to I, root to
V, and walk downs. I created the bass line as a backing with more solo moments. I played
through the full selection of chords twice, trying to alternate between chosen notes and walk-
down patterns throughout. I played at 120 bpm and in a swing style.

Area of Inquiry Three focuses on Music for Dramatic Impact, such as music used
for entertainment, concerts, films, and music used for movement. For this Area of Inquiry, I
chose 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton. This piece sounds great with the selected instruments of my
group. It was made for a comedy film of the same name and was so popular it was also
turned into a musical. The piece is a smooth funk country piece with great basslines and
powerful vocals. It also resonated with the working class and resonated with the disgruntled
working class. It was the titular song for the soundtrack and the centerpiece of another of
Parton's albums.

Area of Inquiry Four focuses on Music Technology and the utilization of modern
musical equipment and software. For this Area of Inquiry, I chose Feel Good Inc. by The
Gorillaz from their 2005 album Demon Days. This piece features one of the most iconic bass
lines of all time. And comes from one of the most popular and revolutionary bands for
electronic and modern music styles. This piece has a feature from hip hop artist De La Soul
and vocals from band frontman Damon Albarn. The Gorillaz as a whole is an extremely
modernistic band as the whole concept around them is that of a virtual band. The band members
do not exist and most if not all music is played by Albarn himself.

Word Count: 493

Track List
Zombie: (0:00 - 4:29)
9 to 5: (4:34 - 7:40)
Feel Good Inc: (7:42 - 11:43)
Excerpt: (11:45 - 13:41)
Creation Exercise (13:42 - 15:50)

Bibliography
Wikipedia Contributors. “9 to 5 (Dolly Parton Song).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia

Foundation, 3 Dec. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9_to_5_(Dolly_Parton_song).

---. “Autumn Leaves (1945 Song).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Sept.

2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn_Leaves_(1945_song).

---. “Gorillaz.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Apr. 2019,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorillaz.

“Zombie (the Cranberries Song).” Wikipedia, 24 Feb. 2021,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie_(The_Cranberries_song).