In order to start analysing this song, the notation is a good tool to begin with. Therefore this analysis intends to use some of those parameters when looking at ‘Nakamarra.’ Some of the sub heading parameters will not be relevant to the case study and therefore will not be used. It covers parameters that are important to consider, some of which may not be found in notation. Tagg’s ‘Checklist Of Parameters Of Musical Expression’ (1982, pp 47-48) is a useful guide to follow when analysing a song. Certain other methodologies are touched on briefly where approprite. This is because these parameters should pinpoint the techniques Hiatus Kaiyote use to form their sound, arguably a sophisticated sound. were studied and considered for this analytical case study, but it seemed as though the most appropriate main methodology suited to the initial research question was Tagg’s ‘Checklist Of Parameters Of Musical Expression’ (1982). The Soundbox, Dockwray and Moore 2011), The Performance (audience, venue, performer, Frith 1996 and Pattie 2007), Semiotic Theory: Peirce’s Tripartite Model (1977), Cooke (1959), Tagg (1982) and Machin (2010) talking thoroughly about the Semiotic Resources in Sound and Machin’s Sound Qualities: Arrangement and Rhythm etc. Many methodologies and theories such as The Musicology of Production (e.g.
Which of the possible methodologies will help to explore and pinpoint the analytic factors that make ‘Nakamarra’ a more sophisticated song in the realms of Popular Music? When choosing which are appropriate, the context of the question being asked is key. The question of which methodologies to use is an important one. This perhaps suggests that the level of compositional excellent the band have achieved makes it challenging for the average Popular Music transcriber. Interestingly, Nakamarra was one of the few Hiatus Kaiyote’s songs found to have be transcribed. Nakamarra, taken from Hiatus Kaiyote’s first album ‘Tawk Tomahawk’ is of particular interest due to it’s more complex choices of harmonic and melodic arrangement and its lyrical phrasing and content. Therefore, it seems advisable to study what Hiatus Kaiyote do beyond a more common description of Popular Music to take their songs to a more sophisticated and yet still popular level of composition. This band seem to have a level of sophistication in their song arrangements.
The aim of this case study is to find and apply methodologies suitable for study with regards to analysing one of Hiatus Kaiyote’s songs, with particular reference to sophistication in Popular Music.