Eleanor Rigby Flashcards
What makes the instrumentation in this song groundbreaking?
The inclusion of a string quartet
How many instrumentalists play the string parts?
8 (parts are mostly doubled with two players on each part).
In general, what do the strings play?
Block chords
The violins often play two notes at the same time. What is this technique called?
Double stopping
What expressive markings are on the violin and viola parts for much of the song?
Accents and staccato
The cello part is different to the other string parts but in what way?
Cello plays repeated or sustained notes
How many bars are in the introduction?
8
How many different chords are used throughout the song?
2
Which chords are played in the song?
C and E minor
How can the harmonic rhythm be described?
Slow
Which instrument plays a fill in the last bar of the introduction?
Violin I
On which film score and composer did George Martin base the arrangement of this song?
Pyscho by Bernard Herrmann
Describe how the main vocals are sung by Paul McCartney.
In a dispassionate English accent without vibrato.
What is the subject of the song?
The death of a lonely spinster
The first note of the verse and refrain create a dissonance. What is the name of this dissonance?
Appogiatura
The vocal melody in the verse is diatonic but in which mode?
Dorian
The verses have an unusual number of bars. How many bars are in the verses?
10
Identify the rhythmic device heard frequently in the vocal part?
Syncopation
Verse 1 is followed by the refrain. How many bars are in the refrain?
8
The refrain plays one chord throughout. Which chord?
E minor
Describe the viola part in the refrain.
Descends chromatically
What does the viola part add to the harmony?
Dissonance (notes clash with the E minor chord)
Describe the cello part in the refrain.
Sustained E
Describe the overall melodic movement of the verse.
Conjunct/stepwise
The refrain includes a leap on the words “where” and do”. What is the interval between these two words?
An octave
Verse 2 uses the same vocal melody as verse 1. Within the 10 bar verses, how are the vocal phrases structured?
2 5-bar phrases which contain a 4-bar phrase with an extra bar at the end of each
In the refrain, the leap of an octave on the words “where” and “do” is extended further when the words are repeated. What is the interval between the words on the repeat?
A 10th
Which section, previously heard, is the same as the bridge?
Intro
The intro and the bridge include a repeat of the words “Ah, look at all the lonely people”. Who sings these words?
Backing vocals
Describe the harmony of the backing vocals.
Close harmony (in thirds)
What is the mode of the backing vocals?
Aeolian (A-A) on E
Describe the outro.
Combines the refrain and intro
How does the song end?
2 bar phrase on the strings
Which album was the song “Eleanor Rigby” on?
Revolver
When was the Revolver album released?
1966
How was this album different from the Beatles previous ones?
Studio album
Who was the Beatles’ producer who arranged the classical instruments (strings) within this song?
George Martin
What is the overall structure of the song?
Intro Verse 1 Refrain Verse 2 Refrain Bridge Verse 3 Refrain Outro
In verse 3, which instruments doubles the vocals on “wiping the dirt from his hands…”?
Cello
Which member of the Beatles sings the lead vocals in the song and why is the vocal line characteristic of his vocals?
Paul McCartney - he has a high tessitura
