Song Structure Assignment

Structure Assignment

Part One -- For each of the following three scenarios, describe a possible song structure you might choose which matches the shape of the dramatic content. Don't worry about pretty prose; bullet points are fine. Once you've written the bullet points, assign letters A, B and C, which roughly correspond to the content.

Scenario 1. A monkey has always wanted to fly, and she's finally presented with an opportunity. The problem is that she'd have to join the Wicked Witch of the West's army in order to get the ability to fly. She's torn about signing the oath of allegiance being presented to her by the head Flying Monkey.

Scenario 2. We're onboard a tiny research vessel which has just hauled up a zillion dollars worth of old Spanish gold coins. The owner of the vessel has gone down to the ocean bottom for one last haul, presenting two crew members with the opportunity to stage an accident, and pocket some coins for themselves.

Scenario 3. Mom is suspicious about her grandson's bruises. Does she call Social Services, or give her son the benefit of the doubt one more time?

Example 1:
Scenario: Three friends are outside a polling station, and one of them is still undecided whether to vote yes, or no.
You write:
A - should vote yes
B - should vote no
A - really want to vote yes
B - I'm going to vote no

Example 2:
Scenario: It's a half-hour later; we're still outside the polling station. Two of the friends have long finished voting; but the third indecisive one (who sang the previous song) is still inside. One of the friends has run out of patience, and in fact, questions the friendship with such an indecisive person...and eventually storms away, breaking off the friendship forever.
You write:
A - what's taking so long
B - no friendship is worth this
A - taking way too long; I'm out of patience
C - I'm leaving; don't care if I see them again

Part Two. Sketch out three scenarios which might lend themselves to the structure ABAB.

Examples:

You write:
1. Someone's deciding whether to jump off a bridge.
A - jump?; pushed beyond breaking point
B - don't jump; afraid
A - jump; what do I have to live for
B - don't jump; here's what I have to live for

2. Someone's deciding whether to call Mom for Mother's Day.
A - call?; duty; expectation
B - don't call; bad treatment; history
A - call?; have to take care of Mom's psyche
B - don't call; have to take care of myself

3. The prosecution and the defense are making final arguments to the jury about an accidental murder case.
A - not guilty...look at the accused
B - guilty...look at the facts
A - not guilty...prey on jury's sympathy
B - guilty...prey on jury's sense of honor

Part Three. Sketch out three scenarios which might lend themselves to the structure ABAC.

Examples:

You write:
1. For the first time in 40 years, Jack's not going to go home for the holidays, and he's trying to explain why to his broken-hearted mother.
A - not looking forward to this year
B - love ya; family is great
A - other things/people need me right now
C - so I'm not coming home

2. This time, Pat is determined not to drink anymore...and ends up flushing the booze down the toilet.
A - I'm not doing well
B - blame the booze
A - have to stop blaming the booze; need to straighten my life
C - promise to self; so I'm flushing the booze away

3. The whistleblower agonizes whether to blow the whistle ruining the boss's life, and jeopardizing the entire company...many of whom are life-long friends. Eventually, the whistleblower can't do it, and deletes the email.
A - boss is corrupt; justice must be done
B - how'd I get myself into this?
A - if I do this, lose family, friends, job, security, reputation
C - can't do this to friends/family; so delete the email