Vocal Music AOS Knowledge

Question 1

What is the main key of Music For A While?

Answer 1

A Minor

Question 2

In which bar does a suspension happen?

Answer 2

Bar 13

Question 3

Name the type of voice used in this piece.

Answer 3

Soprano/countertenor.

Question 4

What are the chords used for modulation?

Answer 4

E minor, G major and C major.

Question 5

What is the bass pattern called?

Answer 5

A bass ostinato.

Question 6

Describe/name the form.

Answer 6

Ternary form (A-B-A).

Question 7

What type of cadence is used.

Answer 7

Perfect cadence.

Question 8

Singing the word ‘drop’ is a form of what sonority technique?

Answer 8

Word painting.

Question 9

Describe the dynamics.

Answer 9

There are no printed dynamics.

Maybe suspension, forte and crescendos.

Question 10

What is the tempo, metre and rhythm?

Answer 10

The tempo is not written but it seems to be largo (slow tempo). The metre is 4/4. The rhythm is a continuous quaver pulse throughtout.

Question 11

Performing the song slowly was common in which musical period?

Answer 11

The baroque period.

Question 12

Name a piece of wider listening, similar to Music for a while.

Answer 12

‘Ombra Mai Fu’ composed by George Frideric Handel. The key is F major.

Question 13

What is the main key of Killer Queen?

Answer 13

E flat major.

Question 14

What is the dominant key?

Answer 14

B flat major.

Question 15

What is the relative minor in the chorus?

Answer 15

C minor.

Question 16

Describe the strucutre.

Answer 16

Modified strophic form - verse, chorus structure - typical song structure for a pop or rock song.

Question 17

In this song, what is Freddie Mercury’ vocal range?

Answer 17

Tenor.

Question 18

What chords from the circle of fifths are used?

Answer 18

A - Dm - G7 - C.

Question 19

Describe the texture.

Answer 19

The texture is melody-dominated homophony. An example of this is the guitar doing an imitation of the vocal line.

Question 20

What notes does Freddie Mercury when his voice is in falsetto?

Answer 20

Two octaves from D above middle C, to a high F.

Question 21

What is kind of pedal is used in bars 5 and 6?

Answer 21

Harmonic pedal.

Question 22

Name the tempo, metre and rhythm.

Answer 22

The tempo is 112bpm. The metre is 12/8. The rhythm is syncopated rhythms.

Question 23

Name the dynamics.

Answer 23

Mostly forte (volume for most bands) with a fade out at the end.

Question 24

Name a piece of wider listening.

Answer 24

‘God only knows’ by the Beach Boys. This song makes much use of overdubbing and harmonies.