killer queen

Question 1

what rhythm tempo metre features are used throughout

Answer 1

12/8 time (giving a swung feel)
every verse begins with an anacrusis - b2
occasional 6/8 to extend phrase lengths - b10
syncopation throughout
triplets - b18

Question 2

list guitar techniques used in the piece

Answer 2

4 part texture guitar for richer texture
mulitracked - builds up guitar part in contrapuntal manner b55
pull offs (but not marked in score)
vibrato b7-9
distortion uused throughout
ottava sign b19
pitch bends b30
slides b34
wah wah b62
panning on guitar b51-60
palm mute b68

Question 3

list other instrumental/vocal techniques used (not guitar)

Answer 3

vocals - high tenor
overdubbed piano - retro out of tune effect
pase shifter on vocals - b17 ‘laser beam’
hard panning on vocals - b19 ‘anytime’
tremolo on drums - b26
gospel inspired harmonies/vocables (harmonic backings) - b42
wind chimes b68
overdubbed vocals - b73

Question 4

list the structure of the piece

Answer 4

intro b1-2
verse 1 b2-14
chorus 1 b14-22
verse 2 b26-38
chorus 2 b38-43
guitar solo b44-61
verse 3 b61-69
chorus 3 b69-78
outro b79-83

Question 5

describe texture in the piece

Answer 5

homophonic overall
texture gradually builds up
interweaving guitar and vocals gives ployphonic feel
3 part texture in guitar solo - sounds spread out in panning
imitation in guitar solo
use of panning in backing vocals gives antiphonal feel

Question 6

explain tonality in the piece

Answer 6

overall piece in Eb major but first chords in c minor - rare as it is difficult for the guitar
tonal ambiguity - starts in c minor
perfect cadence in g minor b14
perfect cadence in Bb major b14-15
plagal cadence in F major b22-23
last chorus in Bb major
final perfect cadence in Eb major - only perfect cadence in the key of the piece (shows overall ambiguity and modulations in the piece)

Question 7

list harmonic features in the piece

Answer 7

harmonic rhythm - b6 increases, number of chords per bar (illusion of changing speed)
inversion chords b8 - chord inversions create descending and ascending basslines
7th extended chords b11, 11th extended chord b23
harmonic sequences b12
parallel harmonies b15-17
circle of fifths modulations b20-21
vamp based around F chords
pedal notes b23
queen uses adventurous chord sequences
dissonant chords b30

Question 8

list melodic techniques used

Answer 8

conjunct b3
anacrusis b2
1st pharse 4 bars, 2nd phrase extended to 5 bars
arching melody in b4-5 and extended in b6
sequencing b7-8
motif (b12) sung falsetto and repeated sequencing in b13
falsetto b12
vocables (ba, ba) b8
mostly syllabic
portamento/glissando on ‘queen’ b15
transposing b20 melody of b12
ornamentation - vibrato b26
word painting b32-33
spoken text b38 - dramatic effect
guitar solo borrows ideas from verse and chorus
major 3rds guitar solo b49
octaves b54
high register melodies