Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

The given chord progression is from the chorus of “Earfquake” by Tyler, The Creator, a contemporary hip-hop and neo-soul artist. The progression features a smooth and mellow tonality, characterized by the use of 7th chords. The chord progression is in the key of Bb Major and showcases the use of mostly diatonic chords with a repetition that contributes to the song’s catchy nature.

The given chord progression for Tyler, The Creator’s “Gone Gone” verse 2 is primarily in the key of Bb major with a mixture of chords from other modes. The progression displays a combination of diatonic and borrowed chords, exhibiting the stylistic blending commonly found in modern music such as jazz, R&B, and hip-hop.

“Brown Sugar” by The Rolling Stones is based in the key of C major. The verse has a simple and catchy chord progression that primarily revolves around the I and IV chords in the key, with brief excursions to the dominant and a borrowed chord from the parallel minor key. This structure contributes to the song’s bluesy and rock’n’roll sound.

“Kiss” by Prince is a well-loved song known for its catchy tune and funky, upbeat style. The song is composed in the key of A major. However, it lacks typical diatonic major harmonies because Prince used power chords (fifth chords) instead of full major or minor chords. The progression is largely built around the ‘A5’ and ‘D5’ power chords, with the occasional ‘E5’ and ‘E9sus4’ worked in to add some variation.

Tyler, The Creator – Earfquake – Verse 1

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

Bbmaj7, Am7, Bbmaj7, Am7, Bbmaj7, Am7, Gm7, Am7

Chord Progression Analysis

“`
– Bb Major 7 (IΔ7)
– A minor 7 (viiø7)
– Bb Major 7 (IΔ7)
– A minor 7 (viiø7)
– Bb Major 7 (IΔ7)
– A minor 7 (viiø7)
– G minor 7 (vi7)
– A minor 7 (viiø7)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Paranoid Android” (Verse)
“`
– B Major 7 (IΔ7)
– A minor 7 (viiø7)
– B Major 7 (IΔ7)
– A minor 7 (viiø7)
“`

2. D’Angelo – “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” (Intro)
“`
– A Major 9 (IΔ9)
– G minor 7 (vii7)
– A Major 9 (IΔ9)
– G minor 7 (vii7)
“`

Musical Analysis

Tyler, The Creator’s choice of chords in “Earfquake” creates a harmonically ambiguous structure which lends itself well to the introspective nature of the song. Instead of exploring many different keys or using a traditional diatonic progression, he focuses on building atmosphere through the use of rich, extended chords. The oscillation between Bbmaj7 and Am7 creates a sense of timelessness, and the movement to Gm7 adds some gravity to the progression before resolving back to Am7. The result is a melancholic, emotionally resonant foundation for the song’s vocal melody and narrative.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in the verse of Tyler, The Creator’s “Earfquake” is primarily based on a simple alternation between two chords, Bbmaj7 and Am7, with a brief excursion to Gm7 before returning to Am7. The simplicity and repetition of the progression creates a feeling of comfort and stability, while the use of major 7th and minor 7th chords adds a touch of sophistication and smoothness. The progression doesn’t follow a traditional functional harmony, but it effectively supports the melody and the overall vibe of the song.

Style Analysis

The style of “Earfquake” can be described as a blend of R&B, hip-hop, and neo-soul, resulting in a unique sonic landscape. The use of simple yet sophisticated chord progressions is reminiscent of D’Angelo or Erykah Badu, and the minimal, sampled production style is influenced by hip-hop producers like J Dilla and Madlib. This fusion of genre characteristics with Tyler’s own musical sensibilities marks “Earfquake” as an innovative and memorable entry in modern music.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Earfquake by Tyler, The Creator are:

Bbmaj7, Am7, Bbmaj7, Am7, Bbmaj7, Am7, Gm7, Am7