killer queen

Question 1

Which one of the following techniques is heard in the guitar part at the beginning of the extract?

Answer 1

Wah-wah

Question 2

Describe how the vocals of the last line differ from the first three

Answer 2

The main vocal melody is sung by only one vocalist on the last line compared to harmonised by multiple vocalists for the opening lines

The last line is accompanied by backing vocals that sing in harmonies

Question 3

The chorus begins in the dominant key of Bb major. Which one of the following best describes the harmony of the chorus?

Answer 3

The music passes through various keys before returning to Bb major.

Question 4

Which one of the following best describes the texture at the end of the extract?

Answer 4

Homophonic

Question 5

Compare how the composer sets the last two lines of the song, wanna try? and you wanna try? to music.

Answer 5

Differences:
- The word ‘try’ lasts longer in the first line
- The rhythm of accompaniment paino

Similarities:
- Use of triplets
- The notes of accompaniment

Question 6

Name the technique heard in the drums at the beginning of the extract.

Answer 6

Drum roll

Question 7

Which one of the following statements best describes the bass guitar part in the opening two bars of the extract?

Answer 7

It plays the same note in both bars

Question 8

Name the effect heard in when the word ‘laser beam’ is sung, and describe how this is an effective text-setting strategy

Answer 8

Effect: flanger
Explanation: In bar 17 a flanger effect is applied to the lyric ‘like a laser beam’ to produce a sound of a laser, which is a technique known as word painting.

Question 9

Describe how the texture changes in the extract.

Answer 9

The main texture of this piece is homophonic however the interweaving guitar and vocals parts from the second verse give the piece a polyphonic feel at times