This song is played in a duple meter, in which the downbeat is emphasized by the drums playing in the background and also when the singer ends the verse with “Sun”. Syncopation occurs at 2:59 when the guitar solo begins and disturbs the regular rhythm. There is also arpeggio occurring all throughout the song such as at 0:17. According to Wikipedia, the guitar solo in Black Hole Sun is over a riff that alternates between 4/4 and 9/8 and is played in dropped D tuning.
The entire song is played on a minor scale with various changes occurring amongst the guitar chords. Dissonance taking place can be heard at the very end of the song starting around 5:09.
The instruments are in key with the singers voice except at certain times such as at 2:55 when the guitar solo introduces a melody of its own.
The Dynamics went from playing soft (piano) to forte as the song progressed.
I had a difficult time identifying whether the song is homophonic or polyphonic. I believe it is polyphonic as the various guitars used would introduce what seemed to be a different melody specifically during the guitar solo.
I believe this piece is constructed in a ABA Ternary Form in which the first section comes to an end with the beginning of the second section at 2:55 which lasts until 3:26,which indicates the start of the third and final section. There are numerous times where repetition within the lyrics as well as with the instrumental melody occur; making it difficult to identify whether or not a new section has begun.
The Instruments used were the acoustic, distortion, over driven and bass guitars as well as the drums which kept a steady beat. The various guitars being played at the same time instilled a psychedelic, dark, and reminiscent mood. The Over driven and Distortion guitars provoked destruction and chaos while the acoustic guitar, using arpeggio brought back order and tranquility.
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