killer queen

A vocabulary-style review of the musical elements, techniques, and terminology used in Queen's 1974 song 'Killer Queen'.

Antiphony

Music performed alternately by two groups, occurring in bars $42$-$43$ and $67$-$68$ in Killer Queen.

Circle of Fifths

A series of chords in which the root note of each chord is a fifth lower than the previous one, used for modulations in bars $20$-$21$.

Compound time signature

When the bar feels like it needs to be split into groups of three notes, such as the compound quadruple ($12/8$) signature used in this song.

Distortion

An effect that increases the volume and sustain on an electric guitar as well as making the timbre more gritty or smooth.

Extended chords

A chord with at least one added note, such as the ninth, used in bars $23$-$24$.

Falsetto

A method of voice production used by male singers to sing notes higher than their normal range, as used by Freddie Mercury.

Flanger

An effect creating a swirling or swooshing sound, used for word-painting on the word “laser beam”.

Harmonic sequence

When a chord sequence is immediately repeated at a higher or lower pitch, such as in bars $12$-$13$.

Homophony

Texture comprising a melody part and an accompaniment; Killer Queen primarily uses melody-led homophony.

Modulation

The change from one key to another. The song modulates from Eb Major to Bb Major, C minor, C minor, G minor, D minor, and C Major.

Overdubbing

Recording an instrumental or vocal part over previously recorded music, used for backing vocals to provide gospel-like harmonies.

Panning

Giving sounds different levels in the left and right speakers so that it sounds as if they are coming from a new direction, notably in backing vocals in bars $73$-$74$.

Pedal notes

A sustained or repeated note in the bass that may clash with harmonic changes above it, found in bars $23$-$24$ and $27$-$30$.

Reverb

An effect which creates the impression of being in a physical space, applied to all tracks in this recording.

Syllabic

When one note is sung per syllable, which is the main melodic style of the song.

Syncopation

Emphasising beats of the bar that are normally unaccented, occurring in bar $47$-$50$ ($PIANO\,LEFT\,HAND$), bar $6$ ($VOCALS$), and bar $44$-$46$ ($GUITAR\,SOLO$).

Wah wah

A filter effect in which the peak of the filter is swept up and down the frequency range in response to the payer’s foot movement on a rocker pedal, used in bar $62$.

Eb Major

The main key of Killer Queen.

Unbalanced phrases

In verses $1$ and $2$, musical phrases that are not the same length, measuring $3$, $4$, and $5$ bars long.

Staccato

The articulation used during the verses.

Legato

The articulation used during the chorus.

Verse-chorus

The overall structure of the song, including an intro, bridge (guitar solo), and outro.