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Music Comparison Essay Guide

The document provides a framework for comparing two musical pieces using a Point, Example, Explanation, Evaluate (P.E.E.E.) structure. It introduces a sample comparison question about the use of voices and instruments in Queen's "Killer Queen" and The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows." The framework guides the writer to introduce each point of comparison, provide a specific musical example, explain the example, evaluate its effectiveness, and compare the same point between the two pieces.

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James Taylor
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373 views2 pages

Music Comparison Essay Guide

The document provides a framework for comparing two musical pieces using a Point, Example, Explanation, Evaluate (P.E.E.E.) structure. It introduces a sample comparison question about the use of voices and instruments in Queen's "Killer Queen" and The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows." The framework guides the writer to introduce each point of comparison, provide a specific musical example, explain the example, evaluate its effectiveness, and compare the same point between the two pieces.

Uploaded by

James Taylor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Comparison Essay Guide: Provides a detailed method for structuring a comparison essay using the P.E.E.E. (Point, Example, Explanation, Evaluate) method with examples.

Comparison Essay Question – P.E.E.

E
EXAMPLE QUESTION: Comment on the way in which voices and instruments are used in Queen’s Killer Queen
and the Beach Boys’ God Only Knows. You should ensure that you reference any valid points made. (12 marks)

Introduction When were these pieces composed? Are they from the same era? Are they the same kind of
piece? Write one sentence about how you are going to set out your answer.

POINT Example: In Killer Queen, Queen use backing The point – what you are going to
vocals… discuss for this paragraph – related
to the question

EXAMPLE …throughout the piece, an example is in the Give a specific example – bar
choruses. number or reference a point in the
structure.

EXPLANATION -They are singing chords – this was achieved Explain and give detail into your
through overdubbing point
-Use of portamento on ‘Queen’

EVALUATE The backing vocals provide harmonic support and Evaluate your point and its
produce a richer homophonic texture, also reflects effectiveness. Context is good here –
Queen theatrical influence. link to style or influences or other
pieces you know which may do a
similar thing.

NOW COMPARE THE SAME POINT TO THE NEXT PIECE. – Follow this same structure

POINT The Beach Boys similarly use backing vocals in God The same point as before but now
Only Knows for the next piece – use comparison
words
EXAMPLE …they are less apparent than in Killer Queen and Give a specific example – still
found from bar…in the middle 8 section.. compare to first piece

EXPLANATION Unlike Killer Queen, I this song the backing vocals Give detail – is it similar or different?
create a polyphonic texture rather than
homophonic.
EVALUATE … Similar to Queen though, they hark to some Compare the effectiveness and the
theatre influence through the use of vocables and context – influences/style
polyphonic texture.

Follow the same format to fully answer the question with other points – in this example I
would go on to discuss use of instruments and finally the soloists.

Conclusion What are your conclusions? Did you find more differences or more similarities?
Did you find one more interesting than the other? In your judgement, do the
differences and/or similarities suggest that they are typical of their
genre/period/style or not?

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