Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-2-other-features

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [Music](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music.md) › [Edexcel](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel.md) › Other Features

# Other Features

Music: Edexcel GCSE, topic 3.2.2

## Rhythm, Structure and Melody

Queen had a very unique sound, cultivated through the use of modern music technology.

### Rhythm

![Rhythm](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/37fdcf1c-8fb4-4359-9f56-23188ff01e61/metronomes-metronom-music-tempo-beat-.jpg)

- 12/8 compound time, with a swung feel (music that has a triplet feel even if it is not notated in triplet patterns). 
- The tempo is moderato and there is use of syncopation (off beat).

### Structure

![Structure](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/b9b6f852-3efe-41e3-b6d0-93083d1d1f30/rock-and-roll-2.jpeg)

- The structure of this set work is based on the typical verse/chorus structure used within popular music. 
- The introduction is made up of 6 finger clicks.
- Throughout the piece there are 2 guitar solo sections and an instrumental section.

### Melody

![Melody](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/dedb6470-dbd2-45c6-8ae5-19a96e833108/queen-.jpg)

- The vocal line is mainly syllabic with conjunct (moving in steps) and disjunct (moving in leaps) movement.
- The melodic motif is repeated in several sections.

### Backing vocals

![Backing vocals](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/3cdfa88e-acd8-47ec-b834-ede7e66ab812/microphone-studio-record-rap-.jpg)

- The use of backing vocals would have been recorded and overdubbed in the studio.
- The backing vocals create additional timbres (tone or colour of a sound or instrument) and vocal textures as well as providing additional gospel like harmonies that were central to Queen’s sound.

## Instrumentation, Texture & Harmony

Written in the key of Eb major, the piece begins with repeated C minor chords.

### Instrumentation

![Instrumentation](https://live.staticflickr.com/5258/5547260656_576d330133_b.jpg)

- Vocals, piano, electric guitar, bass guitar, drum kit.
- The sleeve notes for *Sheer Heart Attack* (the album that Killer Queen is taken from) show that there was also a ‘jangle piano’ recorded which was combined with the piano sound to create a hybrid piano timbre (tone colour).

### Texture

![Texture](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/d4c5f079-34b8-4c8f-85b1-26060eac9ee5/piano-keys-music-instrument-.jpg)

- Panning (moving left and right across 2 speakers) has been used to spread the different sounds across the stereo field.
- There are mixtures of homophonic (melody and accompaniment), polyphonic (many layers of sound) and antiphonal (call and response) textures within Killer Queen and each section has a clear contrasting texture.

### Harmony

![Harmony](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/44d171f9-9c71-4441-a895-0edb0822e8bd/music.jpg)

- Written in the key of Eb major, the piece begins with repeated C minor chords.
- There are many modulations based on the circle of fifths (where a chord pattern is based on moving in 5ths).  
- The harmonic rhythm up until the chorus is 2 chords per bar.

### Harmony cont.

![Harmony cont.](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/4d574bd6-be4a-4929-a053-e6a99e220d94/shutterstock_740713372.jpg)

- In the outro (ending) the piece remains in the key of Bb major but finishes with a repeated Eb major chord. 
- This creates an unusual ending and is unlike many other pop songs of the time.

### Guitar effects

![Guitar effects](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-12/6f85327d-f0df-412b-b19e-2e335d12f829/gig-music-.jpg)

- String bends.
- Hammer ons.
- Pull offs.
- Vibrato.
- Slides.
- Distortion.

## Test yourself on Other Features

- Which of these instruments does NOT feature in the song Killer Queen?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/8a9f121c-bdb0-42db-bbd6-a88f8f723518/section/dca2a14e-3562-4402-a18a-0d36015728b8/session)

- Previous topic: [3.2.1 Killer Queen](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-1-killer-queen.md)
- Next topic: [3.2.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-3-wider-listening.md)

## Music: Edexcel GCSE contents

### 1 Musical Elements
- 1.1 Organisation of Pitch
  - [1.1.1 Melodic Pitch](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-1-melodic-pitch.md)
  - [1.1.2 Melodic Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-2-melodic-devices.md)
  - [1.1.3 Harmonic Pitch](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-3-harmonic-pitch.md)
  - [1.1.4 Harmonic Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-4-harmonic-devices.md)
  - [1.1.5 Harmonic Progressions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-5-harmonic-progressions.md)
- 1.2 Tonality
  - [1.2.1 Major & Minor Tonality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-2-1-major-and-minor-tonality.md)
  - [1.2.2 End of Topic Test - Musical Elements](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-2-2-end-of-topic-test-musical-elements.md)

### 2 Instrumental Music 1700–1820
- 2.1 Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major
  - [2.1.1 Concerto No. 5 in D Major](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-1-concerto-no-5-in-d-major.md)
  - [2.1.2 Structure & Melody](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-2-structure-and-melody.md)
  - [2.1.3 Instrumentation & Texture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-3-instrumentation-and-texture.md)
  - [2.1.4 Harmony](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-4-harmony.md)
  - [2.1.5 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-5-wider-listening.md)
- 2.2 Beethoven: Sonata ‘Pathétique’
  - [2.2.1 Piano Sonata No. 8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-1-piano-sonata-no-8.md)
  - [2.2.2 Structure & Melody](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-2-structure-and-melody.md)
  - [2.2.3 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-3-other-features.md)
  - [2.2.4 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-4-wider-listening.md)
  - [2.2.5 End of Topic Test - Instrumental Music 1700–1820](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-5-end-of-topic-test-instrumental-music-1700-1820.md)

### 3 Vocal Music
- 3.1 Purcell: Music for a While
  - [3.1.1 Music for a While](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-1-1-music-for-a-while.md)
  - [3.1.2 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-1-2-other-features.md)
  - [3.1.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-1-3-wider-listening.md)
- 3.2 Queen: Killer Queen
  - [3.2.1 Killer Queen](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-1-killer-queen.md)
  - [3.2.2 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-2-other-features.md)
  - [3.2.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-3-wider-listening.md)
  - [3.2.4 End of Topic Test - Vocal Music](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-4-end-of-topic-test-vocal-music.md)

### 4 Music for Stage & Screen
- 4.1 Schwartz: Defying Gravity
  - [4.1.1 Defying Gravity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-1-1-defying-gravity.md)
  - [4.1.2 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-1-2-other-features.md)
  - [4.1.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-1-3-wider-listening.md)
  - [4.1.4 End of Topic Test - Defying Gravity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-1-4-end-of-topic-test-defying-gravity.md)
- 4.2 Williams: Star Wars Episode IV
  - [4.2.1 A New Hope](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-1-a-new-hope.md)
  - [4.2.2 Structure & Melody](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-2-structure-and-melody.md)
  - [4.2.3 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-3-other-features.md)
  - [4.2.4 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-4-wider-listening.md)
  - [4.2.5 End of Topic Test - Star Wars Episode IV](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-5-end-of-topic-test-star-wars-episode-iv.md)

### 5 Fusions
- 5.1 Afro Celt Sound System: Release
  - [5.1.1 Release](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-1-1-release.md)
  - [5.1.2 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-1-2-other-features.md)
  - [5.1.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-1-3-wider-listening.md)
- 5.2 Spalding: Samba Em Preludio
  - [5.2.1 Samba Em Preludio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-1-samba-em-preludio.md)
  - [5.2.2 Structure & Melody](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-2-structure-and-melody.md)
  - [5.2.3 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-3-other-features.md)
  - [5.2.4 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-4-wider-listening.md)
  - [5.2.5 End of Topic Test - Fusions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-5-end-of-topic-test-fusions.md)