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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression in Beck’s “Morning” is a 9-chord progression in the key of A major. This chord progression employs borrowed chords and has a unique structure that includes secondary dominant chords and mediant substitutions. The chords are mostly major with a mix of some minor chords.

This is simply a repetition of the F major chord, played four times. This does not provide much variety or harmonic interest, but it might create a sense of stability and could be used to produce a strong tonal center.

“Eleanor Rigby’” is a song by The Beatles, released on their 1966 album “Revolver”. Being unusually somber and profound for a pop song, it showcases The Beatles’ expanding musical palette and their desire to move past the conventional parameters of popular music at the time. The song itself is crafted entirely around the key of E minor, with only occasional diversions to the IV chord (C Major). It strongly exhibits the use of Aeolian mode (commonly known as the ‘natural’ minor) and employs string quartet instrumentation, a unique stylistic pattern at that time.

The chord progression in Welcome To The Machine by Pink Floyd features a combination of diatonic chords and some extensions to create a lush, ethereal sound. The progression mainly circulates around the key of E minor, with added color tones and an emotional center created by the interplay of chords such as the major 7th and the addition of the 9th degree to certain chords.

“Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead is a melancholic song with an emotional chord progression. The song is in the key of A Major and features a mixture of diatonic chords, suspended chords, and extended chords that create a sense of yearning and tension. The verse is characterized by a cyclical progression that begins and ends on the tonic (A), providing a sense of unresolved tension. This helps to support the song’s themes of artificiality and dissatisfaction.

Beck – Morning – VERSE 1

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Chord Progression

E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m

Chord Progression Analysis

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E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)
E Major (I) – A Major (IV) – G# Minor (vi) – F# Minor (ii)

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Similar Chord Progressions

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1. Bob Dylan – “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”
Chord Progression: G Major (I) – D Major (V) – A Minor (ii) – G Major (I) – D Major (V) – C Major (IV)

2. Green Day – “21 Guns”
Chord Progression: D Major (I) – A Major (V) – B Minor (vi) – G Major (IV)

3. Oasis – “Wonderwall”
Chord Progression: E Minor (i) – G Major (III) – D Major (VII) – A Major (IV)

These examples share some similarities with the chord progression in “Morning” in that they all make use of simple diatonic chords, have repetitive structures, and exhibit a sense of warmth and familiarity.

Musical Analysis

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The chord progression follows a simple, repetitive pattern that is common in pop and rock music. It has a strong sense of tonality with the E Major chord (I) beginning each cycle. The A Major chord (IV) provides a departure from the tonic and contributes to the sense of resolution when returning to E Major. The G# Minor (vi) and F# Minor (ii) chords both add some tension and emotion to the progression. The fact that there are no borrowed chords or modulations in this particular chord progression maintains a sense of familiarity and simplicity.

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Overall Analysis

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The given chord progression is from the verse of Beck’s song “Morning.” The progression is in the key of E Major and follows a cyclical pattern throughout the verse.

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Style Analysis

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The style of this chord progression is reflective of Beck’s indie/folk-rock sensibilities. The focus on diatonic chords creates a warm, folky feel. Furthermore, this straightforward and repetitive progression is typical of pop, rock, and folk genres, supporting a melodic and/or lyrical focus in the song.

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Chords in the Verse 1 section of Morning by Beck are:

E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m, E, A, G#m, F#m