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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“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.

The chord progression found in “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin is a typical example of their unique approach to harmonic movement and compositional ideas. It features a blend of chords from different keys, creating a sense of tonal ambiguity which is a recurring theme in the band’s music. The piece also incorporates elements of Eastern and Western sounds, adding to the distinctiveness of their music.

The chord progression in the verse of “Help!” by The Beatles is quite characteristic of their style, using common chords but in interesting and unusual ways. The verse of “Help!” notably presents a mix of classic pop chord progression (I-vi-ii-V), secondary dominant chords and chromatic progressions. The Beatles often incorporated novel harmonic structures that added depth and complexity to their pop music, as evidenced in this piece.

“A Hard Day’s Night” by The Beatles, despite seeming to have a simple structure, is quite unique in its musical composition. The progression varies from standard rock, pop, and folk structure by integrating unique transitions and slightly unconventional chord choices.

Verse

This chord progression from the verse of Tame Impala’s “Alter Ego” suggests a key of C major due to the recurring instances of Cmaj7. However, the presence of certain chords like Bm7 and Dm suggests that Kevin Parker is creatively “borrowing” chords from the parallel and associated keys (C minor, D minor) to create colorful departures from the primary tonality. The use of extended chords (7ths) and suspended chords (Bsus4) adds a sense of complexity and sophistication to the harmony. As can be seen, the chord progression mostly oscillates between Cmaj7, Bsus4, Bm7 before moving to Dm and Gm towards the end of the verse.

Led Zeppelin – Dazed And Confused – Verse

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Chord Progression

Em, Em, Emadd9, G7add13, Em, Em7, Em6, C7M, Em, Emadd9, G7add13, Em, Em7, Em6, C7M, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5

Chord Progression Analysis

Em (i), Em (i), Emadd9 (iadd9), G7add13 (III7add13), Em (i), Em7 (i7), Em6 (i6), Cmaj7 (VIIMaj7), Em (i), Emadd9 (iadd9), G7add13 (III7add13), Em (i), Em7 (i7), Em6 (i6), Cmaj7 (VIIMaj7), B5 (v^o5)

Note: As there are no borrowed chords in this progression, no code block is necessary.

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Cream – Sunshine of Your Love
Chord Progression: D (IV), C (bIII), G (I), G (I)

2. The Doors – Riders on the Storm
Chord Progression: Em9 (i9), Em9 (i9), A9 (IV9), A9 (IV9)

3. Jimi Hendrix – Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)
Chord Progression: E7#9 (I7#9), G (bIII), A (IV)

While these chord progressions may not be identical, they incorporate some similar techniques, such as modal interchange and the use of dominant or extended chords to create distinctive atmospheres in rock and blues music.

Musical Analysis

The chord progression begins with three variations of the Em chord (Em, Emadd9, and Em7), establishing E as the tonal center, creating a modal feeling. The G7add13 seems to suggest a shift to E Aeolian mode since it contains the flat 6th scale degree (C). This shift gives a sense of darkness and dissonance when it resolves back to Em.

The Em6 and Cmaj7 form an interesting chromatic line (B moving to C), slightly shifting the emphasis before returning to Em. The verse ends with a sequence of predominant B5 power chords, which leads back to the tonic, creating a sense of tension and release.

Overall Analysis

“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.

Style Analysis

“Dazed and Confused” showcases Led Zeppelin’s unique blend of blues and psychedelic rock. The use of modal interchange, chromatic lines, and power chords creates a dark and mystifying atmosphere. Additionally, the driving beat and dynamic changes add to the song’s energy.

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

Em, Em, Emadd9, G7add13, Em, Em7, Em6, C7M, Em, Emadd9, G7add13, Em, Em7, Em6, C7M, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5, B5