Eleanor Rigby

Question 1

What makes the instrumentation in this song groundbreaking?

Answer 1

The inclusion of a string quartet

Question 2

How many instrumentalists play the string parts?

Answer 2

8 (parts are mostly doubled with two players on each part).

Question 3

In general, what do the strings play?

Answer 3

Block chords

Question 4

The violins often play two notes at the same time. What is this technique called?

Answer 4

Double stopping

Question 5

What expressive markings are on the violin and viola parts for much of the song?

Answer 5

Accents and staccato

Question 6

The cello part is different to the other string parts but in what way?

Answer 6

Cello plays repeated or sustained notes

Question 7

How many bars are in the introduction?

Answer 7

8

Question 8

How many different chords are used throughout the song?

Answer 8

2

Question 9

Which chords are played in the song?

Answer 9

C and E minor

Question 10

How can the harmonic rhythm be described?

Answer 10

Slow

Question 11

Which instrument plays a fill in the last bar of the introduction?

Answer 11

Violin I

Question 12

On which film score and composer did George Martin base the arrangement of this song?

Answer 12

Pyscho by Bernard Herrmann

Question 13

Describe how the main vocals are sung by Paul McCartney.

Answer 13

In a dispassionate English accent without vibrato.

Question 14

What is the subject of the song?

Answer 14

The death of a lonely spinster

Question 15

The first note of the verse and refrain create a dissonance. What is the name of this dissonance?

Answer 15

Appogiatura

Question 16

The vocal melody in the verse is diatonic but in which mode?

Answer 16

Dorian

Question 17

The verses have an unusual number of bars. How many bars are in the verses?

Answer 17

10

Question 18

Identify the rhythmic device heard frequently in the vocal part?

Answer 18

Syncopation

Question 19

Verse 1 is followed by the refrain. How many bars are in the refrain?

Answer 19

8

Question 20

The refrain plays one chord throughout. Which chord?

Answer 20

E minor

Question 21

Describe the viola part in the refrain.

Answer 21

Descends chromatically

Question 22

What does the viola part add to the harmony?

Answer 22

Dissonance (notes clash with the E minor chord)

Question 23

Describe the cello part in the refrain.

Answer 23

Sustained E

Question 24

Describe the overall melodic movement of the verse.

Answer 24

Conjunct/stepwise

Question 25

The refrain includes a leap on the words "where" and do". What is the interval between these two words?

Answer 25

An octave

Question 26

Verse 2 uses the same vocal melody as verse 1. Within the 10 bar verses, how are the vocal phrases structured?

Answer 26

2 5-bar phrases which contain a 4-bar phrase with an extra bar at the end of each

Question 27

In the refrain, the leap of an octave on the words "where" and "do" is extended further when the words are repeated. What is the interval between the words on the repeat?

Answer 27

A 10th

Question 28

Which section, previously heard, is the same as the bridge?

Answer 28

Intro

Question 29

The intro and the bridge include a repeat of the words "Ah, look at all the lonely people". Who sings these words?

Answer 29

Backing vocals

Question 30

Describe the harmony of the backing vocals.

Answer 30

Close harmony (in thirds)

Question 31

What is the mode of the backing vocals?

Answer 31

Aeolian (A-A) on E

Question 32

Describe the outro.

Answer 32

Combines the refrain and intro

Question 33

How does the song end?

Answer 33

2 bar phrase on the strings

Question 34

Which album was the song "Eleanor Rigby" on?

Answer 34

Revolver

Question 35

When was the Revolver album released?

Answer 35

1966

Question 36

How was this album different from the Beatles previous ones?

Answer 36

Studio album

Question 37

Who was the Beatles' producer who arranged the classical instruments (strings) within this song?

Answer 37

George Martin

Question 38

What is the overall structure of the song?

Answer 38

Intro Verse 1 Refrain Verse 2 Refrain Bridge Verse 3 Refrain Outro

Question 39

In verse 3, which instruments doubles the vocals on "wiping the dirt from his hands..."?

Answer 39

Cello

Question 40

Which member of the Beatles sings the lead vocals in the song and why is the vocal line characteristic of his vocals?

Answer 40

Paul McCartney - he has a high tessitura