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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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.

The song “Gravity” by A Perfect Circle is principally in the key signature of C# minor, which is categorically a minor scale. The primary chords used throughout the song are C#m, F#, and G#m, with the addition of E occasionally. The overall chord progression is quite consistent, with alternative lose touch of the conventional nature of chord progressions in pop and rock music.

“A Star is Born – Shallow” is primarily in the key of G major and has a fairly simple and straightforward chord progression with an intriguing twist toward the end. The song features a common I-V-vi-IV chord progression with an occasional ii-chord (Am) substituting for the vi-chord (Em). Then, it introducess a borrowed chord (Bm) which creates an interesting, unexpected color in the harmony.

“When Doves Cry” by Prince features an unorthodox chord progression compared to many pop or rock songs from the era. The chord progression in the Outro as well as throughout the song remains constant, which underscores the plaintive mood of the song and lyrics. The progression: Em – F – G in the Outro contains borrowed chords from the parallel minor. This introduces a sense of ambiguity to the overall tonality.

“Dazed and Confused” by Led Zeppelin is an iconic rock song that features a descending bass line and bluesy chord progressions. The outro takes on a more aggressive tone and the chords are power chords, which give the song a heavy sound. These power chords, mixed with the syncopated rhythm and the blues-rock influences, contribute to the song’s unique character.

A Perfect Circle – 3 Libras Acoustic Live – Outro

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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’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘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 main progression is a repetition of Asus2 to C#m with a brief modulation to D at the end.

“`
Asus2 (V),
C#m (vii),
D (IV).
“`
Borrowed Chords:

Given the lack of a distinct home key and the oscillation between the A major and C# minor structures, it’s challenging to pinpoint the specific borrowed chords within this progression. However, if we consider A major as the home key, D could be viewed as a borrowed chord from the parallel minor (a common technique known as modal mixture or borrowing).

“`
D (borrowed from A minor)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Nirvana – “Come As You Are”: The main riff of this song hangs around a similar oscillating structure to “3 Libras Acoustic Live”. It, too, has a modulation towards the end of the progression:

“`
Em (I),
D (VII),
E (I).
“`

2. Linkin Park – “Numb”: This song uses a similar progression, swapping between major and minor chords, although it adheres more strictly to the key of C minor than “3 Libras Acoustic Live”:

“`
Cm (I),
G# (V),
Bb (bVII),
Fm (iv)
“`

Please note: This analysis assumes that both A major and C# minor are characteristic keys in the piece. The precise nature of modality in popular music can often be ambiguous and is regularly open to interpretation.

Musical Analysis

The song’s chord progression provides a sense of pliancy and uncertainty as it oscillates between the unresolved flavour of the Asus2 and the mournfulness of the C#m, giving the song its unique character and emotive impact. The D chord at the end provides a somewhat unexpected resolution.

Overall Analysis

The song “3 Libras Acoustic Live” by A Perfect Circle oscillates between an A major and a C# minor structure, with a D major introduced at the end of the progression. The dominant chords are A (represented as Asus2) and C# (represented as C#m). The final D chord can be seen as a modulation, adding a somewhat unexpected resolution that doesn’t adhere to the traditional rules of tonic-dominant resolution in either major or minor keys.

Style Analysis

In terms of style, A Perfect Circle has a renowned propensity for complex harmonic structures and experimental progressions, often playing with modality and unexpected resolves. Their music tends to dwell in alternative rock and progressive metal, but also dabbles in art rock and experimental rock.

Chords in the Outro 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’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘Asus2’, ‘C#m’, ‘C#m’, ‘D’, ‘D’]