Music Theory Alchemy

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“Heart Is A Drum” by Beck is a simple, yet emotional and effective piece, written in the key of C major. The chord progression of the verse revolves around the tonic (C) and the subdominant (Dm7), resulting in a gentle, down-to-earth feel, characteristic of Beck’s folk and alternative music influences.

The chord progression in the chorus of “Ramona” by Beck is an interesting mix of diatonic and borrowed chords that creates a unique and somewhat unexpected harmonic landscape. It combines major and minor chords, borrowed chords from the parallel minor key, and chromatic chords, making a rich harmonic texture.

“Motion Picture Soundtrack” is an alternative rock song by Radiohead from their album “Kid A” released in 2000. The chord progression in the hook features a mixture of harmonic choices from both diatonic and non-diatonic sources, with borrowed chords and chromatic notes. The style displays a unique blend of rock, electronic, and experimental music elements, which is characteristic of the art/pop-rock genre of the time.

Beck – Heart Is A Drum – Hook

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Chord Progression

G, Dm7, F, C, F, C

Chord Progression Analysis

G Major (I) – Dm7 (v7) – F Major (bVII) – C Major (IV) – F Major (bVII) – C Major (IV)

Borrowed Chord(s):
`Dm7 (v7)`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “No Surprises”
Chord Progression: F Major (IV) – G Major (V) – C Major (I) – Bb Major (bVII)

2. Fleet Foxes – “White Winter Hymnal”
Chord Progression: Bb Major (I) – Gm (vi) – Dm (iii) – F major (V)

3. Sufjan Stevens – “Casimir Pulaski Day”
Chord Progression: D Major (I) – G Major (IV) – Bm (vi) – A Major (V)

These songs share a similar use of borrowed chords and a blend of major and minor harmonies, creating a melancholic and introspective mood. While the specific chord progressions may differ, the essence of using unconventional harmonies and exploring the emotions they create is present in all of these examples of other artists’ works.

Musical Analysis

This chord progression features a combination of the tonic (I) chord, G Major, followed by a borrowed chord, Dm7 (v7). Typically, the V chord in the key of G Major would be D Major, but in this case, the minor 7th version, Dm7, is used to create a sense of tension and unpredictability in the harmony. The progression then moves to F Major (bVII), which is another borrowed chord, in this case a modal mixture from the parallel minor key. This adds a bit of color and further enhances the melancholy nature of the song. The progression then moves to prominently feature a IV chord (C Major) and a bVII chord (F Major) that take over the remainder of the section, providing a relaxed and grounded feeling.

Overall Analysis

“Heart Is A Drum” by Beck is a song with a somewhat unconventional chord progression in the hook that features major and minor chords, as well as a borrowed minor chord. It has a melancholic and introspective feeling to it. The style can be associated with the indie folk-pop genre.

Style Analysis

Beck’s “Heart Is A Drum” exhibits a blend of indie folk-pop elements with thoughtful, introspective lyrics, and unconventional harmonies that create a unique sound. The melancholic nature of the chord progression, combined with the delicate instrumentation, stands out in the progression as the borrowed chords add a level of emotional complexity to the song. This contributes to the song’s character and musical interest, as it demonstrates Beck’s ability and intention to experiment with musical conventions in his work.

Chords in the Hook section of Heart Is A Drum by Beck are:

G, Dm7, F, C, F, C