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Killer Queen (Texture (Most of song is melody-dominated homophony (Texture…
Killer Queen
Texture
Most of song is
melody-dominated homophony
Texture of vocal line in chorus is
homophonic
Articulation of the verse is
staccato
making the texture
light/thin
. clear contrast between sections
Parts enter gradually; texture gradually
thickens
Backing vocals
feature in
chorus
.
legato
& make the texture
thicker
&
dynamics
louder
Polyphony towards end of song
Panning creates an antiphonal feel
Harmony
Song based on
chord sequences
Extended chords
(added notes)
V-I
chord used to move through different keys
Pedal on
C
at the start of 2nd verse
Chord inversions
create
scalic
movement in the
bass
Harmony inspired by
musical theatre
rather than
blues
Circle of fifths
in the 2nd phrase
Tempo. Rhythm & Metre
Piece is in
12/8 compound
time (actually
4/4
with
swung quavers
)
Swung
feel to quavers
Lots of
syncopation
Tempo is
fast (allegro)
Syncopated rhythmic motif appears throughout song (bars 23-25, 47-50)
Guitar
uses
rhythm of the vocal line for
solos
Tonality
In
Eb major
- unusual key for guitars
Modulations
throughout the song & music moves to different keys briefly
C minor 1st chord of song, creates
tonal ambiguity
as not key of the piece
Opening chord sequence:
Cm/Bb7/Cm/Bb7/Eb
Song doesn't really finish in Eb major, so Mercury r
epeats Eb major chord over & over
to create a tonal ending
Melody
Mainly
syllabic
Simple
melodic motif
returns through several sections
Guitar solo develops the vocal line
Verse uses
irregular phrases
Word-painting
used on laser- beam (bar 17) in vocal part
Slide (portamento)
on the word 'Queen'
Sonority (performing forces/timbre)
Song written for lead & backing vocals, 4 electric guitar parts, bass guitar, drums & 2 piano sounds
Complex multi-tracked/overdubbed guitar & vocal parts
Distinctive swooshing sound of flanger used to highlight word laser-beam (bar 17)
Distortion, wah-wah
used on lead guitar tracks
Drums play
fills
&
cymbal crashes
Panning
used to place sounds L&R
Guitar techniques:
string-bends, slides, pull-offs & vibrato
used
No
synthesised sounds
mics positioned
to create
different timbres/sonorities
in recording
Reverb
added to the mix to create a sense of space
Structure & Form
Based on
verse-chorus
song
form
Intro, V1, Ch1, instrumental, V2, Ch2, solo guitar, V3, Ch3, Outro
Reuse of phrases
in different sections
Unusual & irregular phrase lengths