Grace

Question 1

Melody

Answer 1

• High vocal range in chorus, verse 3 becomes extremely high and vocal improvisation in outro uses falsetto
• Use of portamento in voice, lyrics are morbid and wailing
• Whispering backing vocal adds variety in chorus

Question 2

Harmony

Answer 2

• Unusual chord progressions chosen by Buckley
• Bass guitar plays pedal note D in intro that harmonies and chords are constructed on
• Verse - electric guitar plays power chords, bass guitar follows root of power chord, harmonies are modal with E as tonic note
• Middle 8 - complex harmonies

Question 3

Tonality

Answer 3

• Mainly in Em - verse, pre-chorus and chorus are modal with tonic of E
• Unclear from first three chords because the end of intro and links are in D major

Question 4

Structure

Answer 4

• Typical verse-chorus, intro repeated after choruses, guitar solo towards the end, short outro
• Includes a middle 8
• Based on 4 main guitar riffs with drum beat and vocal melody

Question 5

Instrumentation/Timbre

Answer 5

• Drums (Matt Johnson), bass (Mick Grondahl), guitar (Gary Lucas), guitar and vocals (Jeff Buckley). Three electric, two acoustic
• Backing vocals and strings used for effects or to raise tension by adding to texture

Question 6

Texture

Answer 6

• Parts drop out to provide textural contrast eg. high electric guitar in verse
• Backing vocals and strings enter in chorus and middle 8 is thick polyphonic
• Instruments and riffs gradually build in and thicken texture, so the intro begins thin

Question 7

Rhythm

Answer 7

• Highlighted by acoustic guitar and cymbal, and toms of drum kit in verses
• Solid rock beat is a unifying rhythm
• 12/8 compound quadruple time - steady with four dotted crotchet beats per bar

Question 8

Tempo

Answer 8

• 64bpm - 4 dotted crotchets per bar - unusual for rock song
• Steady but feels faster because of guitar semiquaver runs at start
• Constant

Question 9

Mood

Answer 9

• Not afraid of what is ahead because he is in love
• Lyrics are morbid
• Bitter, angry and depressed

Question 10

Dynamics

Answer 10

• Starts p, as band join in dynamics increase

* Whisper effect of electric guitar - picks note with volume down then quickly turns it up

Question 11

Technology

Answer 11

• Synthesiser gives eerie background wailing
• EQ on middle 8 vocal gives harsh and distant effect
• Flanger gives a swirly sound added in the studio
• Middle 8 uses multitrack vocals