Killer Queen Flashcards
When was this released and on what album?
1974 on Sheer Heart Attack
What musical style inspired this piece?
Glam Rock
What is overdubbing?
One part is recorded and another part is recorded over it afterwards
What word painting is used on ‘laser beam’?
Flanger is used
What is flanger?
An effect that creates a whooshing sound
What is distortion?
A timbre effect that distorts a signal
What is wah-wah?
A filter effect giving the guitar a “wah wah” soubd
What is panning?
Allows the stereo field to become a three dimensional space - sound can move from the left to the right
What is the time signature of this piece?
12/8
What does the 12/8 time signature create?
A swung feel
What is the tempo?
Moderato
What kind of rhythm is used?
Syncopation
What is the structure?
Verse/chorus plus an intro, 2 guitar solos and an instrumental section
What is the introduction comprised of?
6 finger clicks
How would you describe the vocal line?
Mainly syllabic with conjunct and disjunct movement
How are the backing vocals created and what did they do?
-would have been recorded and overdubbed in the studio
-adds colour, texture and queens signature gospel-like quality
What is the name for the tone or colour of a sound or instrument?
Timbre
What instruments feature in this piece?
-vocals
-piano
-electric guitar
-drum kit
-jangle piano
-bass guitar
What is the texture of this piece?
It’s a mixture of homophonic and polyphonic with some antiphony
What does antiphonal mean?
Call and response
What key is this piece in?
Eb major
Why is the pieces key ambiguous at the beggining?
The piece begins with repeated C minor chords but it’s written in Eb major
What are the modulations of this piece based on?
Circle of fifths
What is the harmonic rhythm until the chorus?
2 chords per bar
How is an unusual ending created?
The piece ends in the key of Bb major but finished with a repeated Eb major chord
List the guitar effects used in this piece
-string bends
-hammer ons
-pull offs
-virbrato
-slides
-distortion
Backing vocal sing …..
Vocables (ooh and ahh)
What does every verse begin with?
Anacruzis
