Killer Queen

• What is the title of the song by Queen discussed in the study material?

  Killer Queen
• What is the main characteristic of the word setting in "Killer Queen"?

  The word setting is mainly syllabic throughout
• How would you describe the range of the melody in "Killer Queen"?

  The melody has a wide range, going very high and very low
• What does the guitar solo in "Killer Queen" do in relation to the song's sections?

  The guitar solo borrows ideas from the chorus and verse sections of the song
• What type of vocalisations are used in the backing vocals of "Killer Queen"?

  The backing vocals use words and vocalisations like oohs and aahs
• How is the melody characterized in terms of movement?

  The melody is often conjunct, but includes wide angular leaps, including intervals of 6ths and octaves
• Why is the melody harder to spot in the chorus of "Killer Queen"?

  In the chorus, the melody is harder to spot on its own because of the backing vocal harmonies
• What vocal technique is sometimes used in the vocal part of "Killer Queen"?

  The vocal part sometimes uses falsetto
• What unique feature is included in the vocal part of "Killer Queen"?

  The vocal part includes spoken text
• What happens to the vocal part on the word "queen"?

  The vocal part contains a slide upwards on the word "queen"
• How are the lengths of the melodic phrases characterized in "Killer Queen"?

  The lengths of the melodic phrases are often uneven, like when the extra 6/8 bar is added
• What is used in "Killer Queen" to enhance the meaning of the lyrics?

  Word painting is used on the words "drive you wild"
• What is the main tonality of "Killer Queen"?

  The main tonality for the piece is Eb Major
• Why is the key of Eb Major considered unusual for "Killer Queen"?

  It’s a hard key to play in on the guitar
• What happens to the tonality during the song?

  The key changes (modulates) during the song
• In which key is the chorus of "Killer Queen"?

  The chorus is in Bb Major
• What is meant by "tonal ambiguity" in "Killer Queen"?

  There are points where the tonality is not clear, like in the first verse which starts with a C minor chord
• How do the chord sequences behave in "Killer Queen"?

  The chord sequences move quickly through different key signatures
• What is an example of a quick chord sequence in "Killer Queen"?

  In the first half of the chorus, the chord sequence moves quickly through D minor and C major
• How does the last chorus of "Killer Queen" conclude?

  The last chorus ends in Bb Major, so the outro features a repeated Eb chord to reestablish the original key signature
• What is the tempo of "Killer Queen"?


  Moderate tempo
• What is the bpm measured for a dotted crotchet in "Killer Queen"?

  112 bpm
• What type of chord sequences did Queen prefer to use?

  Queen liked to use adventurous chord sequences
• What types of chords are used in "Killer Queen"?

  The song uses several altered or extended chords, such as 7ths and 11ths
• What is the position of most chords in "Killer Queen"?

  Most of the chords are in root position, but there are some chord inversions
• What type of chord progression is found in the chorus of "Killer Queen"?

  There is a circle of 5ths chord progression in the chorus
• How are modulations to different keys indicated in "Killer Queen"?

  The modulations to different keys are shown by perfect cadences
• What chord does the song start with in "Killer Queen"?

  The song starts with a C minor chord
• When can the piece be identified as being in Eb major?

  You can’t tell that the piece is in Eb major until the chord is played halfway through the verse
• What is a characteristic of the harmonic rhythm in "Killer Queen"?

  Some parts of the chord sequence contain a faster harmonic rhythm
• What effect do chord inversions create in "Killer Queen"?

  The chord inversions create descending and ascending basslines
• What is a "vamp" in the context of "Killer Queen"?

  In the instrumental before the second verse, there is a "vamp" based around an F chord
• What is a pedal note used in "Killer Queen"?

  There is a pedal note used in bars 27-30
• Who sings the vocal part in "Killer Queen"?

  Freddie Mercury
• What type of voice does Freddie Mercury have?

  Freddie Mercury has a high tenor voice
• What instruments are used in "Killer Queen"?

  The piece uses piano, electric guitar, bass, and drum kit
• How are the backing vocals recorded in "Killer Queen"?

  There are overdubbed backing vocals
• How many guitar parts are overdubbed in "Killer Queen"?

  There are 4 guitar parts that have been overdubbed
• What unique feature is present in the piano recording of "Killer Queen"?

  There is a slightly out of tune "jangle" piano recorded on top of the main piano line
• What studio effects are used in "Killer Queen"?

  The song uses studio effects like multi-track recording, EQ, flanger, distortion, reverb, wah-wah, and panning