GCSE Music Analysis: "Grace" by Jeff Buckley

I'm currently a full-time student living and studying in London. For years I've written about the environment, science, and psychology.

"Grace" General Points

• Composed by Jeff Buckley.
• Released in 1994.
• "Grace" is a rock ballad.
• Buckley only completed 1 album, Grace, before dying at age 31 in 1997.

Instrumentation and Texture

• Buckley is a vocalist who is accompanied by guitars, bass guitars, synthesizer strings, and a drum kit.
• The guitar is in drop-D tuning.
• Synthesizer strings drop in and out to add effect and vary texture.
• The texture thickens throughout the piece, especially in the coda.

Use of Technology

• The use of modulation on the synthesizer at the start of the song.
• The use of distortion and flanging on the guitar.
• The use of EQ in the final verse.

Structure

1. Intro - Verse 1 - Pre chorus - Chorus
2. Link - Verse 2 - Pre Chorus - Chorus
3. Middle 8
4. Link - Verse 3 - Outro

Tonality and Harmony

• The song is written in E minor, although it's often ambiguous.
• The intro focuses on the chord of D, and the key only becomes clear halfway through the first verse.
• Chromatic chords that move in a parallel motion.
• The use of dissonant harmonies.

Melody and Word Setting

• The vocal part ranges over two octaves and sometimes sound is improvised.
• Falling vocal phrases reflect the sadness of the song.
• Most of the word setting is syllabic although there is use of mellisma on certain words.
• In the bridge, there is vocalization or wordless singing during which Buckley uses falsetto.

Rhythm, Metre and Tempo

• Time signature of 12/8.
• Lots of syncopation in vocal melody and bassline.
• Vocal melody is very rhythmically free.
• Use of cross-rhythms.

Comments

Philip Schlemenson on June 06, 2017:

Inspirational, enjoying blog a lot, thanks

Dulan Abeysundara on April 15, 2017:

Er... it's flanger, not flanging and I don't think you can call a part of this song the CODA because its not classical music?

sam on January 29, 2017:

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keep up thew good work its really helping me to progress in music gcse

Adam on June 22, 2016:

This has really helped however I wouldn't mind a section on dynamics

Raph on April 17, 2016:

Maybe u could add what two main styles of music are combined to create grace? But the rest is brilliant, thanks it helped a lot

ice on May 31, 2014:

thanks so much for this :)

Carter Drakes on April 27, 2014:

Thanks, this helped a lot

poop on February 10, 2014:

cemcgee

Joe Salmon from Newport, Isle of Wight on May 23, 2013:

I love Jeff, this is brilliant!

jeff davis on May 23, 2013:

help me