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“Kashmir” is often regarded as one of Led Zeppelin’s greatest creations, featuring a unique chord progression, distinctive rhythmic patterns, and a fusion of Eastern and Western musical elements. Composed in DADGAD tuning, the song is in the key of D Mixolydian and reflects the band’s experimental approach to songwriting and genre-blending. Although the chord progression may be seen as unconventional in rock music, it is effective in establishing a hypnotic and evocative atmosphere.

“Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin is a hard rock song that was released in 1969. The song features a famous guitar riff with a simple, blues-influenced chord progression. That guitar riff is based on the D and E chords and can be heard throughout the main part of the song. The verse consists of the same primary chords as the riff, with slight variations in the E chord during the iconic “You need cooling” vocal part. The overall harmonic structure of the song with its repeating chords D and E gives it a strong I-V dynamic while staying in the D Mixolydian mode. Additionally, the guitar riff borrows elements of other blues progressions, creating a distinguished sound.

“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.

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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 song “A Day in the Life” by the Beatles is known for its unique and striking musical features. The chord progression in the interlude, in particular, represents an example of the Beatles’ innovative approach to harmonic structure and tonal movement. This section is essentially a sequence of dominant-seventh chords that each resolve to the note a fifth below, a common harmonic progression known as the circle of fifths. The interlude features a prominent orchestral crescendo and transition that are hallmarks of the Beatles’ experimental approach to the use of orchestral instruments in rock music.

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