Jurassic Park Theme (Part 2)
Getting down to the bare bones
Welcome to part two of our musical dinosaur adventure. In Part 1 we learnt the opening A and B forms of the melody. The underlying Structure of the song is AB AB, rather like Verse-Chorus, Verse-Chorus. This is called a Binary Form and there’s more information about Structure in our Musical Elements menu.
When we play the second AB sections however, we notice one or two slight changes to the phrasing. For this reason we’ve called the opening A Form the Intro, and the closing B form the Outro.
The reason that John Williams introduces these changes is to create a musical journey and build the piece towards an exciting finish. It’s just like good story telling, but through sound. The second time we play the AB forms, we recognise many of the phrases, but the built-in changes create extra anticipation for the listener. Consequently, the Outro becomes a joyful conclusion; it’s a happy ending to our musical tale.
The roar of a carnivore
John Williams also adds musical interest through his excellent use of Dynamics. Notice how quietly the music starts. This is pianissimo, or pp for short. Musicians create ‘light and shade’ by changing between quieter and louder sections of a piece. In many pop songs we hear the band playing more quietly while the vocalist sings a verse, then more loudly for the chorus or a solo.
How is the Intro different to the B Form dynamically in the Jurassic Park Theme? Do you notice any dynamic differences between the two A Forms and two B Forms as the piece grows? You can find more information about Dynamics in our Musical Elements menu. Listen to the whole practise track at the foot of this page and see if you can spot the different phrases and dynamics we’ve mentioned.
Fences are failing all over the park
In Part 2, we will learn the the second A Form. We’ll then check out the second B Form or Outro. The purple notes are for 4 hole harmonicas. The orange notes are for 10 hole harmonicas. The number is the hole you need to play. B is breathing out (Blow) and D is breathing in (Draw). You can download and print off the Arrow Tabs using the orange icon on the right of the screen. Here’s the whole second part right through on a C harmonica.
If The Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates don’t eat the tourists
Now let’s start by listening to just the second A Form on the C major harmonica.
A Form
Now line by line..
4B 4D 4B 4B 4D 4B 4B 4D 4B 1D 1D 2D 2D
4B 3D 4B 4B 3D 4B 4B 3D 4B 4D 4D 5D 5D
2B 1B 1D 4D 3B 2B 1B 1D
5B 4B 4D 3D 3B 5B 4B 4D
3B 1B 2D 2B 2B 1D 1D
6B 4B 5D 5B 5B 4D 4D
4B 4D 4B 4B 4D 4B 4B 4D 4B 3B 3B 1D 2B 2D
4B 3D 4B 4B 3D 4B 4B 3D 4B 3B 6B 5D 5B 5D
3B 1D 2D 2B 1D 3B 1D 2D
6B 4D 5D 5B 4D 6B 4D 5D
3B 1D 2D 2B 1D 1D 3D 4D
6B 4D 5D 5B 4D 4D 6D 7D
B Form (Outro)
Well done! We’re almost there. Now let’s review just the second B Form or Outro.
And now line by line..
4B 4D 4B 3B 2D 4B 4D 4B 3B 2D
7B 7D 7B 6B 5D 7B 7D 7B 6B 5D
4B 4D 4B 3B 1B 2D
7B 7D 7B 6B 4B 5D..or..9D..or..6B#
4B 4D 4B 3B 2D 4B 4D 4B 3B 2D
7B 7D 7B 6B 5D 7B 7D 7B 6B 5D
4B 4D 4B.. 3B.. 4B.. 4D..
7B 7D 7B.. 6B.. 7B.. 7D..
4B 4D 4B 3B 2D 4B 4D 4B 3B 2D
7B 7D 7B 6B 5D 4B 3D 4B 6B 5D
4B 4D 4B 2D 2D 1B 4B.. 4B..
7B 7D 7B 5D 4D 4B 6B.. 6B..
Practise, practise, practise!
Well done, we’ve made it right through. But before we finish, if you find this piece a little bit difficult, that’s ok. It isn’t easy! There are lots of musical skills working together, which we have to learn over time. We can’t master and perfect everything first time, so practise is the key.
You’ll notice how each of our line-by-line sound clips is in two parts; one slower and one faster. Take everything slowly at first until you get used to the movement and expression of each line. As your confidence grows, start putting lines together.
Eventually you’ll find yourself playing through the whole of the Intro, and the whole of Part B. You can then transfer repeated phrases into the second A Form and Outro. Finally, by adding in the changes, you’ve cracked the entire score.
Here are two phrases that require good playing skills for newcomers to the piece:
4B 4D 4B
4B 3D 4B
This is a diagonal jump phrase. Not only do we change holes, but we also change our breath direction. If we study the original music, the phrase is light and quite fast. It is therefore really important to practise and master the rapid switch between holes on our harmonica. This will enable us to deliver an accurate and complete phrase. Trying moving back and forth slowly between the notes until you get the hang of them.
At the end of the second A Form, there is a very important ascent using just three notes. This simple three-note device heralds the Outro section, allowing it to burst open like an exploding firework. However, the run is unlike all the other patterns we play in the piece and it can be tricky at first.
1D 3B 4D
4D 6B 7D
The pattern requires a three hole leap at first, then a diagonal jump. Once again practise is the key. Start slowly and build your confidence, until you can play it through and enjoy the full effect. Try two notes at a time, back and forth, then link all three together.
Key Harmonica Skills
- Structure (A & B Form)
- Intro & Outro
- Dynamics
- Expression
- Legato
- Diaphragm
- Overblow
- Diatonic & Chromatic
Practise Track