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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“3 Libras Acoustic Live” by A Perfect Circle revolves around a rock ballad style with an alternative rock genre. It features distinctive chord progressions and some borrowing from outside of the primary key. The harmonic progression in the chorus is relatively simple but contributes to the melancholic and introspective atmosphere of the song.

The song “The Outsider” by A Perfect Circle frequently uses the chord progression [‘B’, ‘B’, ‘A’, ‘E’] in the key of E major. When viewing the chords through the lens of E major we can identify the chord progression as ii, ii, V, I. Furthermore, It shows some interesting harmonic decisions throughout. Most notably, the band makes use of borrowed chords which are chords taken from the parallel minor (in this case E minor). Here, the borrowed chords include A major and C major.

“Weezer’s “Island in the Sun” features a memorable and catchy chord progression, with a mix of major and minor chords that creates an overall uplifting and pleasant atmosphere. The song is in the key of G Major and employs a simple and repetitive progression, characteristic of pop and rock music. Although the chord progression is fairly common, the rhythmic pattern and melodic line make the song stand out among other pop and rock tunes.

“Nothings Gonna Change My Love For You” is a romantic ballad featuring a smooth and melodic chord progression characteristic of the pop and jazz fusion genres. The Verse’s chord progression contains some elements of a standard jazz progression while also making use of several borrowed chords. The chords contribute to the warm and sentimental atmosphere that captures the essence of the song’s theme.

The song, “As Tears Go By” by The Rolling Stones, is primarily in the key of G major. Its chord progression contains elements of classic pop songwriting, particularly from the 1960s, featuring major and minor chords, functional harmony, and a few borrowed chords. The verse has a repeating chord sequence that eventually concludes with a resolution to the tonic chord.

A Perfect Circle – 3 Libras Acoustic Live – Verse

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Chord Progression

[‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘D’, ‘D’]

Chord Progression Analysis

The chord progression can be segmented into two main parts:

1. Asus2 – Asus2 – Asus2 – Asus2 – C#m – C#m – C#m – C#m
2. Asus2 – Asus2 – Asus2 – Asus2 – C#m – C#m – D – D

And their respective Roman numerals:

1. Asus2 (IVsus2) – Asus2 (IVsus2) – Asus2 (IVsus2) – Asus2 (IVsus2) – C#m (vi) – C#m (vi) – C#m (vi) – C#m (vi)
2. Asus2 (IVsus2) – Asus2 (IVsus2) – Asus2 (IVsus2) – Asus2 (IVsus2) – C#m (vi) – C#m (vi) – D (♭VII) – D (♭VII)

Borrowed chords:
“`
C#m (vi)
D (♭VII)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

One notable song with a similar chord progression is “Black” by Pearl Jam (in the key of E major):

Verse:
E – E – Aadd9 – Aadd9 – C#m – C#m – D – D

Chord/Roman numeral representation:
E (I) – E (I) – Aadd9 (IVadd9) – Aadd9 (IVadd9) – C#m (vi) – C#m (vi) – D (♭VII) – D (♭VII)

As with “3 Libras,” “Black” uses suspended and minor chords in its verse to create a dark, melancholic tone, and borrows the ♭VII from the parallel minor.

Musical Analysis

The extensive use of the Asus2 chord creates a sense of movement and unresolved tension in the piece. The frequent repetition of these specific chords contributes to that sense of movement and anticipation, which is then furthered by the unexpected turns to the C# minor and D major chords – borrowed chords from the parallel minor key.

Overall Analysis

The progression starts on the suspended II chord of the key, which anticipates resolution either to the tonic (E major) or the supertonic (F# minor). However, it instead moves to the dominant minor (C# minor), suggesting a borrowed chord from the parallel minor (E minor). The D major chord which concludes the progression is a borrowed II from E minor as well.

Style Analysis

“3 Libras” is characteristic of the alternative rock/post-grunge style of A Perfect Circle, particularly their exploration of darker harmonies and suspended tonality. The song’s style also incorporates elements of the progressive rock genre, demonstrated by its utilization of non-diatonic harmony and unusual chord progressions.

Chords in the Verse section of 3 Libras Acoustic Live by A Perfect Circle are:

[‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘D’, ‘D’]