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Edexcel Music GCSE - Area of Study 2: Vocal Music: One Page Notes: Queen -…
Edexcel Music GCSE - Area of Study 2: Vocal Music: One Page Notes: Queen - Killer Queen
Texture
If you learn just 1 thing:
Most of the song is melody-dominated homophony.
If you can learn 3 more things:
The texture of the vocal line in the chorus is homophonic.
The articulation of the verse is staccato making the texture quite light/thin. Making a clear contrast between sections.
Parts enter gradually; the texture gradually thickens.
If you can learn a few more things:
Backing vocals feature in the chorus. They are legato and make the texture thicker and the dynamics louder.
There is some polyphony towards the end of the song.
Use of panning creates an antiphonal feel.
Harmony
If you learn just 1 thing:
The song is based on chord sequences.
If you can learn 3 more things:
This song uses extended chords )added notes in).
V-I chord progressions are used to move through different keys.
There is a pedal on C at the start of 2nd verse.
If you can learn a few more things:
Chord inversions are used to create scalic movement in the bass.
There is a circle of fifths in the second phrase.
Harmony is inspired by musical theatre rather than blues.
Tonality
If you learn just 1 thing:
Killer Queen is in Eb major - an unusual key for guitars.
If you can learn 3 more things:
There are modulations throughout the song, and the music moves to different keys (briefly!).
C minor is the first chord of the song which creates tonal ambiguity as it is not the key of the piece.
The opening chord sequence is Cm/Bb7/Cm/Bb7/Eb.
If you can learn a few more things:
The song does not really finish in Eb major, so mercury repeats a chord of Eb major over and over to create a tonal ending.
Tempo, Rhythm and Metre
If you learn just 1 thing:
This piece is in 12/8 compound time (although actually 4/4 with swung quavers).
If you can learn 3 more things:
There is a swung feel to the quavers.
There is lots of use of syncopation.
The tempo is fast (allegro).
If you can learn a few more things:
There is a syncopated rhythmic motif that appears throughout the song (bar 23-25, 47-50).
The guitar uses the rhythm of the vocal line for the solos.
Melody
If you learn just 1 thing:
The melody is mainly syllabic.
If you can learn 3 more things:
A simple melodic motif returns through several sections.
The guitar solo develops the vocal line.
The melody of the verse uses irregular phrases.
If you can learn a few more things:
Word-painting used on 'laser-beam' (bar 17) in the vocal part.
There is a slide (portamento) on the word 'Queen'.
Sonority (Performing Forces/Timbre)
If you learn just 1 thing:
The song is written for lead and backing vocals, 4 electric guitar parts, bass guitar, drums and 2 piano sounds.
If you can learn 3 more things:
Complex multi-tracked/overdubbed guitar and vocal parts.
Distinctive swooshing sound of a flanger used to highlight the word laser-beam (bar 17).
Distortion, wah-wah used on the lead guitar tracks.
If you can learn a few more things:
The mics are positioned to create different timbres/sonorities in the recording.
Guitar techniques such as string-bends, slides, pull-offs and vibrato are used.
Panning is used to place sounds L and R.
Reverb is added to the mix to create a sense of space.
There are no synthesised sounds.
Drums are used and play fills and cymbal crashes.
Structure and Form
If you learn just 1 thing:
Based on verse-chorus song form.
If you can learn 3 more things:
Into, V1, Ch1, Instrumental, V2, Ch2, Solo (guitar), V3, Ch3, Outro.
Unusual and irregular phrase lengths.
Clever reuse of phrases in different sections.