Alicia Keys

History and Compostion

By Hayley Mateer

Background in music theory and classical music

Incorporated styles within her music:GospelVintage soulClassical pianoR&BJazz

The Princess of Soul

Birth Name: Alicia Augello CookBirth Date: January 25, 1981Birth Place: New York, New YorkParents: Theresa Augello, a white woman

with Italian and Irish Decent, and to a black father, Craig Cook.

Early musical influence: was her mother

Early Years

She became interested in music at an early ageStarted study of classical music at the age of seven.Studied Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven and the Suzuki

method.The study of classical music separated Alicia from the rest.

Learning the Piano

Musical InfluencesChopin

Stevie WonderPrince

Marvin GayeQuincy Jones

Barbara StreisandNina Simone

Age 12- Enrolled in performing arts school

Age 14- Started writing songs

Age 16- Graduate as valedictorian and accepted to Columbia

University

Teen Years

Started at Artista RecordsLeft Artista after a year and

went to J Records withClive Davis

Wanted stage name to be “Wild”When with the stage name “Keys”

Start of Musical Career

Set up recording studio called KrucialKeys

Recorded 5 albumsSongs in MinorThe Diary of Alicia KeysAs I AmThe Element of FreedomSongs In Minor 10th

Anniversary

Recording Studio

Song is on “Songs in Minor” album

Released in 2001Signature songWon 3 Grammy AwardsSong a classical feelMeaning has to do with

relationships

“Fallin” Composition History

i. 0:00 Introduction-vocal a’capella

ii. 0:10 Verse 1-piano comes in solemn and slow

iii. 0:38 Chorus-drums emphasize 4th beat

iv. 0:55 Verse 2-sonata rhythm

Fallin Listening Guide

i. 1:23 Chorus- backup singers prominent

ii. 1:39 Bridge- repetition and backup singers repeat

iii. 2:09 Chorus repeated 3 times

iv. 2:55 Conclusion- All instrumental and plucking strings added

Fallin Listening Guide (Continued)

On the album “The Element of Freedom.

Released in October 2009

Song contains Heavy drum feeling portrayed by the piano

Song meaning; importance of love against materialism

“Doesn’t Mean Anything” Composition History

i. 0;:00 Introduction- Piano and drums in moderato

Ii. 0:19 Verse 1-start of vocals that contain punctuation

Iii 0:37 Verse 2-similar to verse 1, different text with descending of piano

Iv 0:55 Chorus-tempo change, conjunct voice.

V. 1:33 Verse 3- Similar to 1st and 2nd verse. Strings in this verse play the same notes as the piano

Doesn’t Mean Anything Listening Guide

vi. 1:46 Bridge- smal bridge with more than one voice quickly singing “Should have been there”

Vii 1:52 Chorus-all instruments together, conjunct

Viii 2:27 Bridge- longer bridge with note change in duple meter.. Vocals with backup are ascending

ix 2:46 chorus- repeated 2 times

X 4:00 coda and end-piano gradually descends. Drums and piano

Doesn’t Mean Anything Listening Guide (Continued)

Song in the album “As I Am”Produced by Alicia, Kerry

Brothers and George M HarryReleased in September 2007Her biggest hit songWon 2 Grammies in 2008

Song used in movies and there have been many remixes

“No One” Composition History

I Introduction- piano arch and drums at duple meter. With mphasis on 2nd beat. Symbol at every 5th beat.

Ii Verse 1- Vocals come in. Symbols hit 3 times at the end of each sentence.

Iii Chorus- starts with 1 chord played by equalizer. Sounds like a Horn.

Iv Verse 2- same drum sequence. Equalizer comes in with 1 chord played on 1st measure. 2 chords on 2nd measure and 3 chords played on 3rd.

No One Listening Guide

V Chorus- equalizer copies sound of piano with arch.

Vi Bridge- String instruments added with notes change

Vii Coda- “Oh” is sung over and over in an arch. Equalizer plays theme.

X End- guitar with emphasis every 3rd chord. Strings conjunct.

“No One” Listening Guide (Continued)

2nd single on “Diary of Alicia Keys” album

Release in 2004

Stayed at top of charts for 6 weeks

Inspired by Aaliyah’s death (The singer)

If I Ain’t Got You Composition History

I Introduction- starts with piano. Slow melodic. With arch.

Ii Verse 1- Drum with slow beat and emphasis on 4th beat. Jazzy feel.

Iii Chorus-Piano and vocals in unison. Vocals crescendo.

iv Verse 2- Trumpets. Vocals have a trill. Backup singers added

If I Ain’t Got You Listening Guide

v Chorus-Trumpets play a few notes

Vi Coda- Drums and trumpets stop. Just vocals and piano. Piano is quick but conjunct. Descending

Vii End-piano does glissando and Ascends.

“If I Ain’t Got You” Listening Guide (Continued)

  1. "Alicia Keys." LyricFreak.com. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.

<http://www.lyricsfreak.com/a/alicia+keys/biography.html>. 2. "Alicia Keys." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 July 2011. Web. 15 Feb. 2012.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alicia_Keys>. 3. "Biography." The Official Alicia Keys Site. J Records. Web. 20 Feb. 2012.

<http://www.aliciakeys.com/us/alicia-keys-biography>. 4. Stark, Petra. "Alicia Keys, Superwoman." DailyTelegraph. The Telegraph, 16 Nov. 2008. Web. 07

Feb. 2012. <http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/insider/alicia-keys-superwoman/story-e6frewt9-1111118050168>.

5. "Music News, Reviews, Articles, Information, News Online & Free Music | Billboard.com."Billboard. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.billboard.com/>.

6. "Alicia Keys To Release The Element Of Freedom In December." - Music, Celebrity, Artist News. M.T.V. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1623531/alicia-keys-release-new-lp-december.jhtml>.

7. "No One (Alicia Keys Song)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 Apr. 2012. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_One_(Alicia_Keys_song)>.

8. Osei, Anthony. "Alicia Keys”.Alicia Keys Says “If I Ain’t Got You” Was Inspired By Aaliyah's Death. Complex Music, 9 June 2011. Web. 07 Feb. 2012. <http://www.complex.com/music/2011/06/alicia-keys-says-if-i-aint-got-you-was-inspired-by-aaliyahs-death>.

 

Bibliography