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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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.

The progression from B to A to E is a common progression in pop and rock music. This progression utilizes diatonic and non-diatonic chords, meaning that the chords all belong to the same key and it suggests the use of borrowed chords. A Perfect Circle tends to use a lot of downward motion in their chord progressions, moving from higher to lower pitches, which can give their music a distinct ‘heavy’ feel.

“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.

“Yesterday” by The Beatles showcases the innovative use of chord progressions that the group is known for. This song, unlike their other songs, includes borrowed chords and numerous secondary dominant chords. It also uses their favored approach of mixing chords from parallel major and minor scales, hence creating a ‘blended’ modal effect.

Moreover, it uses a mixolydian ♭7 in the main chord sequence, which is quite a popular trick among songwriters for shifting the tonic of a song.

“Something I Can Never Have” by Nine Inch Nails features a haunting and melancholic chord progression typical of the alternative rock and industrial rock genres. The tonality of the piece centers around the key of C major, with occasional borrowed chords and chromaticism adding emotional color and tension. The verse and chorus sections both feature a similar pattern of repeating chords as well as a descending bass line connecting the chords, giving the piece cohesion.

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’]