Music Theory Alchemy

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“Dazed and Confused” by Led Zeppelin is a rock song that features a mix of blues and psychedelic elements. The chord progression in the verse is quite unconventional and may invoke a feeling of unease, which matches the song’s mysterious and somewhat disorienting theme.

“Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin is recognized for its use of modal interchange, specifically borrowing chords from the parallel minor, and its distinct way of blending rock and folk music elements. This piece is in the key of A minor and the chord progression in Verse 5 is simple but quite effective.

The chord progression in the outro of Weezer’s “Undone – The Sweater Song” follows a repeating pattern with a combination of major and power chords. The overall key of the progression is G major, and the chords follow a predictable pattern that is rooted in rock and alternative music styles. The chord progression uses borrowed chords from the parallel key of G minor, specifically the B♭ major chord.

“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.

The Outro of “Exit Music (For a Film)” by Radiohead features a striking and emotive chord progression that showcases their innovative approach to harmony. It is characterized by the use of irregular modal interchanges, sustained chords, and slight variations on repeating patterns.

Led Zeppelin – Dazed And Confused – Outro

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Chord Progression

E5, E5, E5, E5, D5, D5, E5

Chord Progression Analysis

E5 (I), E5 (I), E5 (I), E5 (I), D5 (♭VII), D5 (♭VII), E5 (I)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. “Sunshine Of Your Love” by Cream:
C5 (I), B♭5 (♭VII), A♭5 (♭VI), G5 (V), C5 (I)

2. “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix:
E♭7#9 (I), G♭7 (♭III), A7#9 (V), E♭7#9 (I)

3. “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple:
G5 (I), B♭5 (♭III), C5 (IV), G5 (I), F5 (♭VII), C5 (IV), G5 (I)

These songs make use of similar techniques such as power chords, blues-influenced riffs, and borrowing chords from other modes, giving them a similar sound and style to the outro of “Dazed and Confused.”

Musical Analysis

The outro of “Dazed and Confused” is built around a repetitive pattern of power chords. Power chords, also known as “fifth chords” or “5 chords”, are chords that include the root and the fifth note of the major or minor scale. These chords are popular in rock music because they provide a strong, full sound without the additional complexity of major or minor triads. In this progression, we see the emphasis on the I chord (E5), which gives the outro a strong, grounded feel. The use of the ♭VII chord (D5) acts as a borrowed chord from the E Mixolydian mode, creating tension and providing a bluesy touch.

Overall Analysis

“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.

Style Analysis

“Dazed and Confused” is an iconic example of 1960s and 1970s hard rock and blues-rock, characterized by heavy power chords, distorted guitar sounds, and strong rhythmic elements. Led Zeppelin was one of the bands that pioneered this fusion of blues and rock, and their music strongly influenced the development of hard rock, heavy metal, and psychedelic rock. Many artists in these genres also employ the use of power chords, borrowed chords from Mixolydian mode, and descending bass lines.

Chords in the Outro section of Dazed And Confused by Led Zeppelin are:

E5, E5, E5, E5, D5, D5, E5