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Related Music Theory Alchemy

The chord progression for Verse 3 of “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix is a repeating pattern of C, G, D, A, E. The progression employs one borrowed chord and is loosely structured around the circle of fifths. The song features a blues-rock style, with a heavy emphasis on guitar playing and expressive solos.

“Castles Made of Sand” by Jimi Hendrix is a psychedelic rock song that features a unique chord progression and distinctive guitar techniques that were ahead of its time. The song was released in 1967 on the album “Axis: Bold as Love” and showcases Hendrix’s innovative approach to guitar playing and songwriting.

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The overall use of chords highlights Queen’s blending of rock with more complex harmonic structures, moving beyond simple major & minor chords and incorporating 7th and inversions. Despite its pop/rock surface, “Somebody to Love” includes interesting modulation and chord choices that could be seen as more typical of more ‘classical’ forms of music.

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“Goodbye Blue Sky” by Pink Floyd is a beautifully haunting piece with a chord progression that demonstrates their innovative use of borrowed chords and modulation to explore various tonal centers. The song is generally in the key of A minor.

“Can’t Buy Me Love” is a song in C Major. The Beatles were renowned for their use of a variety of chord progressions, and this song certainly lives up to that reputation. Although the progression in the verse primarily consists of the chords ‘C7’, ‘F7’, and ‘C’, it’s the way they are harmonically linked that makes it really interesting.

Jimi Hendrix – Hey Joe – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

C, G, D, A, E, E, C, G, D, A, E, E, C, G, D, A, E, E, C, G, D, A, E, E

Chord Progression Analysis

C Major (bVI) – G Major (bIII) – D Major (VII) – A Major (IV) – E Major (I) – E Major (I)

“`
C Major (bVI)
G Major (bIII)
D Major (VII)
A Major (IV)
E Major (I)
E Major (I)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles:

`A minor (i) – A minor/G (i/♭VII) – A minor/F♯ (i/VI) – A minor/F (i/♭VI) – G (♭VII) – E major (V)`

2. “All Along the Watchtower” by Bob Dylan (popularly covered by Jimi Hendrix):

`C minor (i) – G♭ major (♭VI) – F♭ major (♭V) – B♭ major (V)`

These songs share similarities with “Hey Joe” in terms of incorporating borrowed chords from the parallel minor key and having a cyclic nature to their chord progressions.

Musical Analysis

“Hey Joe” employs the use of borrowed chords from the parallel minor key (E minor). The C Major (bVI) and G Major (bIII) chords are borrowed from the parallel minor, while the D Major (VII) chord is a secondary dominant in relation to the A Major (IV) chord. This combination of borrowed chords, along with the more traditional IV – I (A – E) progression, helps create the unique sound of the song.

Overall Analysis

“Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix is a classic rock song featuring a cyclic chord progression in the key of E major. The song is well-known for its distinctive and temporarily ambiguous harmonic structure, bluesy vocal melodies, and Jimi Hendrix’s influential guitar playing. The verse chord progression constantly circles back on itself, creating a hypnotic effect.

Style Analysis

Jimi Hendrix was known for incorporating various musical styles into his compositions, such as blues, jazz, and rock. “Hey Joe” features a mix of these influences, with the bluesy vocal melodies and the cyclic chord progression giving the song a psychedelic rock vibe. Additionally, Hendrix’s innovative use of guitar techniques, such as bending and vibrato, helped shape the sound of modern rock music.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix are:

C, G, D, A, E, E, C, G, D, A, E, E, C, G, D, A, E, E, C, G, D, A, E, E