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Killer Queen Flashcards

(58 cards)

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1
Q

Who performs the vocal part in ‘Killer Queen’?

A

Freddie Mercury

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2
Q

What type of voice does Freddie Mercury have?

A

Tenor

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3
Q

What instruments are used in ‘Killer Queen’?

A
  • Lead and backing vocals
  • Piano
  • Honky-tonk piano
  • Four electric guitars
  • Bass guitar
  • Drum kit
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4
Q

What techniques are used on the guitars in ‘Killer Queen’?

A
  • Slides
  • Bends
  • Pull-offs
  • Vibrato
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5
Q

What recording techniques and effects are utilized in ‘Killer Queen’?

A
  • Multi-tracking
  • EQ
  • Flanger
  • Distortion
  • Reverb
  • Wah-wah
  • Panning
  • Overdubbing
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6
Q

Fill in the blank: ‘Killer Queen’ uses a _______ piano along with the main piano.

A

Honky-tonk

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7
Q

What is the purpose of overdubbing in ‘Killer Queen’?

A

To create a richer colour

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8
Q

What type of vocalization is used in the backing vocals?

A

A mixture of words and vocalisation to the sounds ‘ooh’ and ‘ba’

Specific bars mentioned include bars 9 and 18.

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9
Q

How does the melody primarily move?

A

Mostly conjunct with small leaps of a third or fourth

Larger leaps, such as an octave, are found in bar 62.

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10
Q

What is the structure of ‘Killer Queen’?

A

Verse-chorus form

The specific sections include Verse 1 and Chorus 1.

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11
Q

What unusual element begins the song?

A

Six finger clicks heard throughout

This leads into verse 1.

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12
Q

What is the tonality of the opening of ‘Killer Queen’?

A

Ambiguous , opening in C minor

The key quickly shifts after the initial opening.

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13
Q

What occurs in bar 7 of the song?

A

A descending sequence in guitar 1

This is part of the melody structure.

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14
Q

When do the backing vocals enter?

A

In bar 8

They use vocables at this point.

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15
Q

What vocal technique is used in bar 11 by the lead vocal?

A

Falsetto

This showcases a higher vocal range.

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16
Q

How long is the first phrase of the melody?

A

Four bars in length

The second phrase is extended to five bars due to an additional 6/8 bar.

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17
Q

What is the phrasing structure of the chorus?

A

5 + 3 bars in length

The chorus itself is eight bars long.

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18
Q

To which key does the music cadences before shifting?

A

B♭ major

It then moves to D minor and C major before further modulations.

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19
Q

What texture do the lead and backing vocals create together?

A

A four-part texture

This occurs in bar 15.

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20
Q

What effect is used on the laser beam in the song?

A

Change of EQ and addition of flanger

This adds a distinct sound quality.

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21
Q

Fill in the blank: The backing vocals use ______ in bar 18.

A

Vocables

This refers to non-lexical syllables used in vocal music.

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22
Q

What vocal technique is demonstrated on the word ‘Queen’ in bar 15?

A

Portamento slide

This technique creates a smooth transition between pitches.

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23
Q

What does the term ‘backing vocal ‘stabs’’ refer to in bar 18?

A

Sharp, punctuated vocal sounds

These are often used to enhance rhythmic elements.

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24
Q

What is the structure of the song ‘Killer Queen’?

Study These Flashcards
A

Bars 23-26, Bars 26-38, Bars 38-43, Bars 44-61, Bars 61-69

The song consists of various sections including verses, choruses, and a guitar solo.

25
What is unique about the guitar playing in Verse 3?
Guitar 1 and 3 play in thirds using slides and vibrato ## Footnote This technique adds texture to the music.
26
What happens at bar 31?
Four-part backing vocals enter and drums begin with a drum roll ## Footnote This marks a significant change in the musical arrangement.
27
What musical technique is used in bars 31 to 33?
Inner chromatic descending pattern ## Footnote This technique creates a sense of movement within the music.
28
How does the main vocal in bar 38 differ from previous sections?
Uses spoken text for dramatic effect ## Footnote This adds a theatrical element to the performance.
29
How does the bass guitar develop its line in bars 37 and 38?
By using pentatonic and chromatic scales ## Footnote This development enhances the overall harmonic structure.
30
What occurs after the first chorus?
The chorus is cut short, leading directly to a guitar solo ## Footnote This keeps the momentum of the song flowing.
31
How does the guitar solo begin?
It mimics the lead part of the chorus before expanding into a three-part guitar solo ## Footnote This showcases the guitarists' technical skills.
32
What is the chord sequence pattern between bars 44-47?
Descending pattern ## Footnote This creates a sense of resolution and movement in the music.
33
What happens in bar 50 with guitars 3 and 4?
They use imitation before coming together to create a three-part texture ## Footnote This adds richness to the musical arrangement.
34
What is the significance of the solo returning to guitar 1 at bar 55?
It indicates a return to the original theme before the hocketting effect ## Footnote This technique involves alternating parts to create a layered sound.
35
What type of cadence is repeated leading into the next section?
Imperfect cadence for two bars ## Footnote This provides tension and prepares for the following musical ideas.
36
How long is the unusual section leading into verse 3?
Seven and a half bars long ## Footnote This is atypical in song structure and adds interest.
37
What musical technique is used at the end of bar 62?
Three-part guitar 'response' to vocal line on beat 3 ## Footnote This interaction between instruments and vocals enhances the texture.
38
What is word-painting in the context of this song?
The use of musical techniques to illustrate the meaning of the lyrics ## Footnote Example: the words 'absolutely drive you wild' are emphasized musically.
39
When does the climax of the piece occur?
At bar 67 on the word 'wild' ## Footnote This is marked by high vocals in four parts and a response from the band.
40
What is the main texture of the song?
Homophonic ## Footnote The texture includes the use of imitation.
41
In which key is the song primarily composed?
Eb major ## Footnote The song opens in C minor and closes on an E b major chord, creating ambiguity in tonality.
42
What type of cadences are frequently used in the song?
Perfect cadences ## Footnote These cadences are often followed by parallel shifts to a new key.
43
What is the tempo of the song?
Moderato tempo at 112 beats per minute ## Footnote The pulse is a dotted crotchet.
44
What is the time signature of the song?
12/8 compound quadruple time ## Footnote The song occasionally includes a bar of 6/8.
45
What rhythmic feature is present at the beginning of every verse and chorus?
Anacrusis (upbeat) ## Footnote This contributes to the overall phrasing of the song.
46
What type of chords are most commonly used in the song?
Root position chords ## Footnote Some chords are also in first or second inversion.
47
Which bars demonstrate the use of the circle of fifths?
Bars 20-21 ## Footnote This harmonic progression is significant in the song's structure.
48
What rhythmic device is frequently used throughout the song?
Syncopation ## Footnote An example can be found in bars 44-46.
49
What is a notable rhythmic feature found in bar 18?
Triplets ## Footnote This adds to the song's complexity in rhythm.
50
What is the effect of inserting a bar of 6/8 in the song?
It extends the phrase length ## Footnote This variation contributes to the overall flow of the music.
51
What type of dissonance is used in the song?
Dissonance (e.g. bar 30) ## Footnote This adds tension to the harmonic structure.
52
What type of chords are used in bar 4?
Seventh chords ## Footnote These chords enrich the harmonic texture of the song.
53
What musical element is suggested by the harmony at the end of the song?
A repeated IV-V-I cadence ## Footnote The harmony fades on the subdominant with guitars playing in thirds.
54
What is the overall feel of the song's rhythm?
Swung feel ## Footnote This rhythmic characteristic contributes to the song's groove.
55
What is used in bars 27-30 to create a sustained effect?
Pedal ## Footnote This technique adds depth to the harmonic progression.
56
What is the significance of passing modulations in the song?
They strengthen the harmonic movement ## Footnote Often followed by parallel shifts to new keys.
57
What is the structure of the song's outro?
Similar to previous choruses with a guitar solo ## Footnote The music fades over a chord of E b major.
58
How many electric guitars were used in killer queen
Only one but overdubbing was used indubitably

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