Bohemian Rhapsody

The introduction of the song starts out with a slow tempo in simple quadruple meter. It begins in a close five-part harmony with voices in heterophony, singing a capella in long drawn out notes. The first and second sub-phrase of the first phrase ends with questions, the breath is heard then the second part of the statement begins just like the first. There is an accent on "no" by a sudden drop in tone, then the voices return to the original notes, where the last word and note is held, it forms the cadence. The theme begins with the melody in the form of legato. The statement picks up with four voices now still in harmony, but in a homophonic style because of the piano that joins in. With the piano still playing the voices are accompaning it by holding out one word and note. Three of the voices drop out and become the background accompaniment for the lead voice, by singing in unsion and holding out one note. Then the back up voices imitate part of the phrase from the lead that continues to sing the melody. The three voices then join the lead voice making it a harmony again with the piano changing how it is playing completely by playing one note at a time every second beat. During this part there is word painting involved, when the voices say "high" their pitch goes up and when they say "low" their pitch goes down. Then the piano returns to its original melody with the lead voice becoming apparent again by increasing the volume of his voice, but still singing the same words as the other parts. The lead waviers back and forth with, being equal and not, by differing from the dynamics of the other voices. In this last sub-phrase an emphasis is put on "to me" by the lead voice repeating it this time by himself, forming a com...

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...ng pattern again which leads into the guitar solo.

The electric guitar begins its solo, with the drum playing in the background in its triple meter. The intensity of the music continues, this last for close to thirty beats, until the bass ends the descent initiating the tone of the new key. At this point the band drops out for maybe half a beat, but the piano picks up by playing an entirely different theme than in any other part of the song. It begins in a soft staccato with oscillating chords on the piano.

This section is known as the opera section of this song. The oscillating chords of the piano continue and are also heard in the vocals. There is an accelerated sequence of call-and-responses. The solo vocal starts in very monotone for eight beats. Then answered by a trio, for another eight beats, higher in pitch that is dissonant and also very monotone.