大象传媒

Santana: Love of My Life - AQAPerforming and composing ideas

Love of My Life was written by the award-winning Mexican-American guitarist and songwriter Carlos Santana who founded the band Santana in 1966. The album Supernatural was released in 1999 and sold over 25 million copies worldwide. Love of My Life is a collaboration between Santana and musician Dave Matthews.

Part of MusicTraditional music

Performing and composing ideas

Some of the techniques in the table feature in the song Love of My Life. They can be transferred to other performances and composing, but it is wise to possess an understanding of how each one can change the nature of a song.

In performanceIn composing
OrnamentationUse ornamentation to decorate the melody and especially in a solo.Implement ornamentation to showcase variation in the repeating section.
Rock instrumentationEnsure the performance is balanced by adjusting the dynamics on the electric instruments and amps.Compose a piece using a rock band line-up - vocals, electric guitar, bass guitar and drums.
Latin instrumentation It is useful to be aware of Latin instruments and styles.Add some Latin percussion, eg congas or a cowbell, to a piece and use syncopated rhythms.
FusionTaking time to understand the elements of the genres in the ensemble can help the performance sound authentic.Try combining two different styles of music to create a fusion.
StructureEnsure that the soloists can be heard during instrumental sections by paying attention to the dynamics and balance.Compose a piece that uses instrumental interludes to create variety and contrast.
Ornamentation
In performanceUse ornamentation to decorate the melody and especially in a solo.
In composingImplement ornamentation to showcase variation in the repeating section.
Rock instrumentation
In performanceEnsure the performance is balanced by adjusting the dynamics on the electric instruments and amps.
In composingCompose a piece using a rock band line-up - vocals, electric guitar, bass guitar and drums.
Latin instrumentation
In performanceIt is useful to be aware of Latin instruments and styles.
In composingAdd some Latin percussion, eg congas or a cowbell, to a piece and use syncopated rhythms.
Fusion
In performanceTaking time to understand the elements of the genres in the ensemble can help the performance sound authentic.
In composingTry combining two different styles of music to create a fusion.
Structure
In performanceEnsure that the soloists can be heard during instrumental sections by paying attention to the dynamics and balance.
In composingCompose a piece that uses instrumental interludes to create variety and contrast.