Year 10 – Analysing the Jeff Buckley

1. Year 10 – Analysing the Jeff Buckley Lesson Objectives: To define some key words relating to the topic To annotate your scores, using the analysis guides to help you To be able to describe one of the musical elements of the work using correct musical terminology

2. Essay question: Your homework essay for this week is: Discuss the different instrumental and vocal techniques used by Jeff Buckley in ‘Grace’, in order to create an interesting piece. 12 marks This will be due next week

3. Starter: Match up the words below with their correct definition...

4. Starter: Match up the words below with their correct definition...

5. Analysis of the piece – Introduction - A • The introduction is split into two sections – A and B • This is the same as the link – the link is a direct repeat of the introduction! Accidentals The opening begins with guitar and synthesizer (other parts enter on the 3rd bar) The piece has not settled in a sense of key yet – we can tell this because of the accidentals, and because the first chord is an F minor 7th Chord – not found in the key of E Minor! Chord of F Minor 7th Ends on a loud chord of E Minor

6. Analysis – Introduction - B A clash is created by the C# in the guitar and the D in the bass This part is repeated several times before leading us into the verse... The introduction is the first time we hear the whole band play. We are now in D Major, which we can tell by the use of C#’s in the music The rhythms is driven by the acoustic guitar and hi-hat A third electric guitar plays a low C# which clashes against the D pedal The bass guitar is playing a pedal on D – where one note is emphasised by repetition

7. The accompaniment underneath has several elements to it. • Guitar whispers played on the electric guitar • Rhythm guitar plays a pattern following the chords • The second guitar plays broken chord patterns. Analysis - Verse 1 At this point we have changed key again, and we are in E minor, shown by the use of Bb’s in the melody The sound of the plectrum hitting the strings of the acoustic guitar is used to give effect The vocal line is: - in the lower register - mainly moving by step - dropping down at the end of the phrases The piece uses parallel chords in the verse – all the chords are formed by moving the same hand shape up or down one fret on the guitar

8. Analysis – Pre-Chorus The vocal range gets higher Electric guitar and acoustic guitar both play chords, moving up the instrument. The section is mostly in E minor, but the D naturals give us a hint of the dorian mode based around E

9. Analysis - Chorus The melody again consists of several descending phrases The vocal line is significantly higher than in the verse Buckley uses a melisma in the last part of the chorus – this is where lots of notes are sung to one syllable This melisma lasts for two bars. Open strings played by the guitar are used to create a dischord – this is intentional!

10. Analysis – Link A and B This has the same melodic material as the introduction and there are only two differences between the Link and the Introduction: • There is a mandolin effect added on the electric guitar • A vocal ‘Oh’ links parts A and B When we hear the link after the mid 8, it is again the same, although this time featuring the guitarist hitting the deadened acoustic strings. Otherwise all the material is in your notes for the introduction!

11. Analysis – Verse 2 and 3 Whilst the melodic material remains the same, Buckley adds in some extra sound effects to create interest, namely: • Descending slide • Slide on the strings • Trill on the strings At this point the strings have been written to imitate the guitar Verse 3 demonstrates much more use of the cymbal and more special effects being added. The vocal part also becomes higher and harsher.

12. Analysis – Pre-chorus 2 Again this is almost the same as pre-chorus 1, the only exception being the addition of pizzicato strings (where the strings of the instrument are plucked rather than bowed) This leads into a repeat of the chorus, followed by a drumroll lead-in to the Mid-8 Section.

13. Analysis – Mid-8, Section A The drumkit uses more snare to add intensity – this whole section is far more intense than previous sections Multi-tracked vocal harmonies playing in counterpoint (different melodies interweaving) Strings play long sustained notes to fill out the chords (adding in more of the harmony to the section

14. Analysis – Mid 8, Section B The main vocal line improvises a wordless melody Hummed harmonies follow the chord sequence, opening out into vocal ‘ahs’ at the end to give an angelic quality to contrast with the harsh vocals This section is based on the chord sequence for the pre-chorus The instrumental backing is also similar to this. A ‘telephone’ EQ effect is applied to the vocals when the lyrics re-enter to give a harsh distant effect

15. Analysis - Outro • Strings become very important • Lots of vocal improvisations high in the singers range – use of falsetto • An electric guitar with flanger effect is added • The song ends with a short unnaccompanied phrase which clearly shows the influence of Qawwali (a Pakistani devotional chant)

16. Fact Finder... Complete the sheet using the information from your notes – who can complete it the quickest?

17. Essay question: Your homework essay for this week is: Discuss the different instrumental and vocal techniques used by Jeff Buckley in ‘Grace’, in order to create an interesting piece. You should take some time now to plan the essay and decide what you will write about

18. Evaluating the plans... When evaluating them try to answer these questions: • Have they included all the necessary instrumental and vocal techniques? • If not, what have they missed out? • Have they explained each point – saying what the technique is, where it is used and what the effect is? • Have they included an introduction and a conclusion?