Music Theory Alchemy

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The outro of “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin features a simple alternating chord progression between G major and A major, which creates tension by avoiding a resolution to the tonic or dominant chords. This makes the progression sound unstable, yet well defined as it repeats. The recurring ascending motion creates a sense of lift throughout the outro, while the lack of a true resolution maintains a feeling of unease. This progression is notable for its simplicity, as well as how it invokes a modal sound that is characteristic of the mixolydian mode often used in rock music.

“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.

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This is a simple and common chord progression often known as “four chords” used often in pop and rock music. The song is in G Major and the progression has a I-V-vi-IV pattern.

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The interlude piece from Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So” features an eight-chord progression in the key of C major, with prevalent use of Roman numeral notation and borrowed chords from parallel minor scales. This progression is typical in rock and pop music, representing Weezer’s alternative rock style.

“Hey Jude,” written by The Beatles, charts a classic journey from tonic to dominant, with a detour through the subdominant and the minor dominant. It starts with a D chord (I), moves onto A (V), then A7 (V7) and back to D (I). The interlude features the progression D (I) – D7 (I7) – A7 (V7). This clever progression creates a momentary modulation to the key of G with the D7 chord, creating an interesting harmonic shift.

Led Zeppelin – Kashmir – Interlude

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Chord Progression

A, A

Chord Progression Analysis

A Major (I) – A Major (I)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “Tomorrow Never Knows”
C Major (I) – C Major (I)
2. Radiohead – “Creep”
G Major (I) – G Major (I)
3. The Doors – “The End”
E Minor (i) – E Minor (i)

These songs feature similar repeated chord progressions, though the specific chords and overall styles of the music may vary significantly.

Musical Analysis

The interlude features a very simple chord progression, consisting only of the A Major chord repeated twice. This repetition serves to emphasize the tonal center of the piece and creates a sense of stability and resolution. As there are no borrowed chords in this interlude, it is a clear example of harmony derived from the major mode.

Overall Analysis

“Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin is a classic rock song that is well-known for its distinctive and mysterious sound. This interlude, in particular, creates a sense of tension and resolution through its simple but effective chord progression. The overall harmonic structure is built on a modal mixture, drawing from both the major and minor modes, which contributes to its unique atmosphere.

Style Analysis

“Kashmir” incorporates elements of both rock and world music, with the latter being most evident in the use of exotic-sounding scales and non-Western instrumentation. The repetition of the A Major chord in this interlude can be seen as a reflection of the drone-like quality often found in Indian classical music. Furthermore, the combination of simple harmonic structure and the unique timbres of the instruments used contribute to its overall sense of mystique, which is a hallmark of Led Zeppelin’s style.

Chords in the Interlude section of Kashmir by Led Zeppelin are:

A, A