Bohemian Rhapsody - Operatic Section

Question 1

Key

Answer 1

A Major/Ab Major

Question 2

Texture

Answer 2

Polyphonic & Homophonic

Question 3

Instrumentation

Answer 3

Vocals, Bass Guitar, Elec Guitar, Piano, Drum Kit, Crash Cymbal

Question 4

Recording Techniques Used

Answer 4

Multi Tracking, Overdubbing, Panning, Bouncing, Reverb

Question 5

Techniques/Features of Melody

Answer 5

Multi Tracking, Chromatic Movement, Repeated Notes, Falsetto, Panning, Antiphonal Dialogue, Overdubbing, Bouncing, Reverb, Falling 3rds

Question 6

Techniques/Features of Accompaniment

Answer 6

Repeated chords, Chromatic Movement, Triplet rhythm on percussion and piano

Question 7

Bismillah

Answer 7

An Islamic prayer to Allah

Question 8

Galileo

Answer 8

Italian mathematician and astronomer

Question 9

Fandango

Answer 9

A spanish dance

Question 10

Scaramouche

Answer 10

Character in Italian theatre who acts as a clown or fool

Question 11

Describe the vocal line (start of operatic section)

Answer 11

Solo voice enters and alternates with multi-tracked vocal harmonies

Question 12

What is happening here? (Thunderbolts and lightning - Magnifico)

Answer 12

Drums and chorus enter, falsetto voice, panning, antiphonal dialogue with Galileo, reverb and multi tracked voices falling in 3rds in Magnifico

Question 13

Describe the music in this excerpt (Easy come easy go - no no no no no)

Answer 13

• Antiphonal vocals
• Chromatic movement
• Shrill falsetto reflects struggle in Bismillah
• Solo voice and multitracked chorus alternate accompanied by piano, drum kit, and bass guitar
• Panning
• Overdubbing,
• Falling 3rds after final Let me go,
• Rising staccato notes on the words No no no accompanied and emphasised by crash cymbal