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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles is in the minor mode and its chord progression showcases rich harmonic content and unexpected key changes, common to The Beatles’ music. Harmonically, it features an interesting mixture of chords from the parallel major and minor keys, which is indicative of modal interchange, a key characteristic of The Beatles’ songwriting.

The song “Rocky Raccoon” by The Beatles features a intriguing chord progression typically employed in blues and folk music that creates a captivating storytelling-style musical framework. The verse using the provided chords weaves an interesting tale via major and minor fluctuations giving an emotional depth to the lyrics.

“Let It Be” by The Beatles utilizes a very accessible and effective chord progression throughout the song. This progression is designed to create tension and release as it progresses, as well as establish the root key of the song, which is C Major.

The chords used throughout the song show a strong use of borrowed chords, inversions, and extensions, adding to the depth and complexity of the song despite the relatively uncomplicated chord progression.

The balance between the root key, dissonance, resolution, and overall harmony creates an emotive and engaging song that maintains listener interest and displays the songwriting abilities of The Beatles.

The chord progression in Tyler, The Creator’s “See You Again” can be characterized as a mixture of jazz harmonies and pop sensibilities. The verse progression features major and minor seventh chords, a few borrowed chords, and a prominent chromatic movement.

Chord progression analysis (including borrowed chords)
1. F#maj7 (I)
2. F#maj7/B (I6)
3. Fmaj7 (bImaj7 – borrowed chord)
4. G#m7 (iii7)
5. D7#5 (VI7#5 – borrowed chord)
6. F#maj7 (I)
7. F#maj7/B (I6)
8. Fmaj7 (bImaj7 – borrowed chord)
9. G#m7 (iii7)
10. D7#5 (VI7#5 – borrowed chord)

The chord progression starts with the tonic F#maj7 and moves through a first inversion of the same chord (F#maj7/B) before introducing borrowed chords (Fmaj7 and D7#5) from the parallel minor key, creating tension and color. The G#m7 is a diatonic iii7 chord, adding to the jazzy feel of the song.

The given chord progression of Weezer’s “California Kids” features a verse in the key of C major. The progression primarily uses diatonic chords, with a more unconventional movement that features the use of a C/B chord, or I chord with the bass note played in the seventh degree (leads to tonicization of the vi chord). The progression also features a common IV-V movement that is a characteristic of pop and rock music.

The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

[‘Am’, ‘Am/G’, ‘F#m7b5’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Dsus4’, ‘D’, ‘Dsus2’, ‘D’, ‘Esus4’, ‘E’, ‘Am’, ‘Am/G’, ‘F#m7b5’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘E’]

Chord Progression Analysis

In musical analysis of ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ Verse 1, the chord progression goes as follows:

Am (i), Am/G (i with G in bass), F#m7b5 (vi half diminished), Fmaj7 (VI), Am (i), G (bVII – borrowed from parallel key Am mixolydian), D (IV of relative major), Dsus4 (IVsus4 of relative major), D (IV of relative major), Dsus2 (IVsus2 of relative major), D (IV of relative major), Esus4 (V of parallel major), E (V of parallel major), Am (i), Am/G (i with G in bass), F#m7b5 (vi half diminished), Fmaj7 (VI), Am (i), G (bVII – borrowed from parallel key Am mixolydian), C (III of parallel major), E (V of parallel major).

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Borrowed Chords: G (bVII – borrowed from parallel key Am mixolydian)
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Similar Chord Progressions

The chord progression bears some similarity to the style found in songs like “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin, or “Something” by The Beatles themselves, showcasing a mixture of major, minor, and suspended chords creating a rich harmonic progression. Also, “Yesterday” from The Beatles uses similar chord progressions including borrowing parallel major and minor chords.

Here is the chord progression in Stairway to Heaven’s verse:

Aminor (i) – Gsharp diminished (vii dim) – Gmajor (bVII) – Fmajor (VI) – Aminor (i) – Amajor (I of parallel major) – Cmajor/D (VII with D in bass) – D/F# (IV of relative major)

Likewise, in “Something”, a Beatles classic showcases a mixture of major, minor, and suspended chords in its verse:

C (I) – Cmaj7 (Imaj7) – C7 (I7) – F (IV) – D7 (II7 – secondary dominant) – G (V) – Am (vi) – Am/G (vi with G in bass) – Am/F# (vi with F# in bass) – F (IV).

Musical Analysis

What stands out in this song is Harrison’s wide use of borrowed chords and secondary dominants, creating an interesting tonal color and musical depth. A clear demonstration of modal interchange, the song uniquely moves from Am (natural minor focused) to D (Dorian mode focused) and also manipulates the harmonic rhythm extensively for emotional effect. The transition between sus4 and sus2 on the D chord creates additional tension leading to resolution.

Overall Analysis

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is in the key of A minor and quite uniquely, the song borrows chords from parallel major and minor keys, as well as from modes like mixolydian. It is one of George Harrison’s contributions to the Beatles and showcases sophisticated harmonic techniques and an intricate chordal design, reflecting deeply on the influence of Eastern music and philosophies on his songwriting.

Style Analysis

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is marked with melancholy – a sensation further enhanced by the varied and unusual chord choices which bring a sense of pathos to the composition. It showcases George’s unique usage of modal interchange, extended harmonies, and diatonic substitution, thereby depicting a groundbreaking depth in popular music of the time.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of While My Guitar Gently Weeps by The Beatles are:

[‘Am’, ‘Am/G’, ‘F#m7b5’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Dsus4’, ‘D’, ‘Dsus2’, ‘D’, ‘Esus4’, ‘E’, ‘Am’, ‘Am/G’, ‘F#m7b5’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘E’]