Grace Flashcards
What are the dynamics and instrumentation of the piece?
Grace starts quietly with just two electric guitars playing - one distorted, the other clean. A synthesizer also creates an eerie wailing in the background. The dynamics increase as more instruments join in; by the end there is a full rock band playing, with heavy drums, screaming vocals and wailing guitars. They don’t actually get louder, it just feels that way as more are added.
What is the pitch in Grace?
Wide a vocal range. At some points Buckley sings falsetto (higher than usual male vocal!)
He also used vibrato and scoops up to notes (portamento)
What is the time signature of Grace?
It’s in 12/8 (with 4 dotted crotchet beats in a bar). This is unusual as most rock songs are in 4/4. It feels faster though as guitar plays semi-quaver runs at the beginning.
What is the structure of the piece?
Classic Verse-Chorus structure, with a guitar solo towards the end. The intro is repeated after choruses, ends with an outro.
What are the features of Grace?
There are 4 main guitar riffs in the piece. The first is made up of semi-quavers, it’s played by an electric guitar and is repeated between verses. The second, by the electric guitar as well, is made up from broken chords (notes from a chord played separately). The Acoustic guitar plays a rhythmic, percussive riff in the verse and choruses. In the final section of the piece, both guitars build up a fourth riff for a climax. This adds to the texture.
What effects are used in Grace?
Many electronic effects are used like EQ and Delay. They also use flanger to create a swirling sound.
What chord is the piece based around?
The main part is based around E minor. Unusual chord progressions are used.
