Deborah Dynamic
"All Work Together"
11-11-02

Facets Model Project:
I have included the typed question and answer form (see next page) as well as a tapping chart (see attached) used to map the music. I found that the tapping chart was much more difficult and time consuming than I imagined it would be. However, I learned a great deal about the music while interpreting it’s rhythm, timbre, and various other concepts related to the piece. The other map I have prepared will be used in class during the Teaching Episode due to its kinesthetic nature.
I found Woody Guthrie’s life extremely interesting after reading an extensive amount of literature. I now wish I had chosen a more prominent piece such as “This Land is Your Land” because of its significance. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this project and learned much, much more than I had imagined!

 

Who created it?

Woody Guthrie created this piece of music and performed it with his brother, Arlo Guthrie, only a few years before Woody became debilitated and passed away from Huntington's disease in the 1960s.

When and where was it created?

This piece of music was created in the early 1950s (only a few decades after the Dust Bowl and Great Depression) in the Southwestern part of the United States of America, most likely near Oklahoma or the surrounding states where Folk music was popular and well accepted at the time.

Why and for whom was it created?

Woody Guthrie wrote this piece of music for his young daughter Cathy. He composed many children's songs to encourage laughter and movement for young kids. The title of the CD was, "This Land is Your Land," and the music on the recording was generally made for children. Woody had a few children over the years with a couple of his wives. Therefore, he did have a connection and love of children. "All Work Together" provided an inventive yet effective response to engage kids.

What is its subject?

The subject of this enjoyable children's song is working together for a just cause to accomplish an important task. The examples given in the song include: painting, drying dishes, sweeping the floor, etc. Woody Guthrie was also an avid demonstrator and desired peaceful times amidst the uncertainty of life. Therefore, the composition of this song, although employed for children, almost certainly has a deeper political meaning of the aspiration for peace, love, and harmony.

What is being expressed?

Woody Guthrie has composed a magnificent song that allows the listener to create a pleasant mental picture of children having fun while working together with others. This imaginative image builds a bridge between children and adults and happiness, giggles, and joy with work.

What techniques did its creator use to help us understand what is begin expressed?

There is a working beat constructed by drums. This rhythm permits children to follow the pattern. The Guthries also used the D major scale to produce an upbeat melodic tune which generates a cheerful attitude. The fiddle and the harmonica give a country feel to the song and produce the feel of a country square dance.

What kind of structure or form does it have?

The rhythm is central to the form, as it maintains a consistent makeup throughout the song. There are four verses followed by a chorus, which is repeated ten times. The chorus gives structure to the piece by repetition. "All Work Together" is performed with the scale of D major with a tonic pitch of G. The most frequent pitches in the melody are B and G.

What does it sound or look like?

The timbre of the music maintains its folk-like nature with the use of drums, banjo, guitar, harmonica, and fiddle. A few of the instruments have solo interludes, which bring out the Southwest Backcountry culture. One can imagine a group of children dancing or skipping to the beat in a circle, singing the song together, and passing candy, gum, or tools to their neighbor.

Resources


Facets Model Map

Tapping Chart
By Color
“ All Work Together”
By: Woodie and Arlo GuthrieIntroduction: 16 cts Green Dots
Verse 1: 17 cts Green and Blue Dots
Chorus: 16 cts Red Dots
Verse 2: 17 cts Green and Blue Dots
Chorus: 16 cts Red Dots
Interlude-Harmonica: 17 cts Blue Dots
Interlude-Fiddle: 16 cts Green Dots
Interlude-Violin: 17 cts Blue Dots
Chorus: 16 cts Red Dots
Verse 3: 17 cts Green and Blue Dots
Chorus: 16 cts Red Dots
Verse 4: 17 cts Green and Blue Dots
Chorus: 16 cts Red Dots
Interlude-Drums, Guitar, Banjo: 17 cts Blue Dots
Chorus: 16 cts Red Dots
Interlude-Violin: 17 cts Blue Dots
Chorus: 16 cts Red Dots
Chorus Change: 17 cts Red and Blue Dots
Chorus: 16 cts Red DotsTo follow the chart, use your index or other finger to tap the colored circles. Trail the circles from left to right on the chart. Please pay attention to the colors, they will tell you a lot about the sections of the music and it’s timbre!