Killer Queen - Queen Flashcards
(Excluding voice) list the 4 instruments used in the track
honky tonk piano, electric guitar, bass guitar, drumkit and percussion
How many band members were there?
4
List 3 vocal techniques used in the track
portamento, vibrato, falsetto
What is the word setting of the track?
syllabic
What is the structure based on?
verse-chorus structure
What aspect of the structure was unusual for a pop song
uneven verse lengths
What key is the piece in?
Eb major
What aspect of the tonality was unusual for a pop song?
frequent modulations
What was the harmony of the track mainly inspired by?
musicals rather than blues
Were any synths used in the track?
NOOOOO
What is the time signature of the piece?
12/8 with swung feel
Describe the tempo
fast
What rhythmic feature can be heard throughout?
syncopation
Describe the texture at the very start of the piece
monophonic (finger clicks)
What is the texture after the intro?
homophonic
When is the texture polyphonic?
verse 2
What do the frequent texture changes show?
contrast between sections
What is the term for the call and response texture heard?
antiphony
List the 4 guitar techniques heard in the piece
string bends, slides, pull-offs, vibrato
no strumming-very carefully articulated
What studio effects can be heard on the vocals?
flanger, reverb, EQ
When can flanger be heard?
‘laser beam’
What 2 studio effects can be heard on the guitars?
distortion , wah wah
What other studio effects can be heard?
reverb, panning
What style is the piece?
Glam rock
What features of the articulation used give it a light texture?
staccato
What studio technique is heard in the vocals in the chorus?
multi-tracking
What studio technique is heard in the guitar solo?
over dubbing
Give 2 musical features of the guitar solo
uses small tessitura (range of notes), melody based on previous melody
How do parts come in at the start of the song?
one after the other
Sometimes the vocal line has an ‘x’ printed as the note-head , what does this mean?
said/spoken percussive
Name the musical device used on the words “recommended at the price” (in)satiable an appetite”
descending sequence
How has the 4-part choir of backing vocals been created?
over-dubbing
Describe the sound of the honky-tonk piano
harpsichord/out of tune
Why might it be difficult to play the song live?
all the studio techniques/ not enough people for all layers
What is the role of the bass guitar part?
harmonic grounding
State 3 roles of the drum-kit
keep everyone in time, signify section changes, adds colour
What is panning?
changing the position of the sound in the stereo field
Describe distortion
changing the quality of the sound
Describe flanger
multiple sounds delaying to create a pulsating , jet-like sound
What is meant by reverb?
environment sound is in
Who wrote the song?
Freddie Mercury
