Search

Related Music Theory Alchemy

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.

“Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin is characterized by its distinctive blues-rock style and its highly memorable, driving riff. The bulk of the song revolves around the E5 (E power) chord, with occasional transitions to the D5 chord at the beginning of each phrase, giving the song a simple yet highly effective chord progression. The song is in the key of E Mixolydian.

“Hurt”, written by Nine Inch Nails, exudes melancholy and despair through a slow progression that weaves intricate melodies between the chords. The tonality is primarily in B minor, but introduces D, E, A, and G chords throughout, indicating some mode mixture or borrowed chord use.

The outro of “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix uses a descending circle of fifths chord progression, which is a very common progression in many styles of music, particularly in the Baroque period and in blues-based rock music. The progression features a steady descent through the Circle of Fifths that creates a strong sense of harmony and resolution. In this context, Jimi Hendrix uses the progression to create tension and momentum, which is appropriate for an outro section.

The song “Let It Happen” by Tame Impala, which is in the key of A Major, uses a simple yet effective chord progression during its outro. The common pattern of I-vi-IIIIV (Major-minor-Suspended 4) recurs throughout. The G#sus4 chord provides a moment of tension before resolving back to the tonic and restarting the pattern. The progression concludes with an Emaj7 chord, which is a borrowed chord from the parallel minor.

Led Zeppelin – Kashmir – Outro

Add To Favorites Remove From Favorites

< All Analyses

Chord Progression

G, A, G, A, G, A, G, A, G, A, G, A, G, A, G, A, G

Chord Progression Analysis

G major (bVII) – A major (I)

“`
Borrowed Chord: None in this progression
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

1. The Beatles – “Eleanor Rigby”
Chord progression: C major (I) – E minor (iii) – C major (I)

2. The Rolling Stones – “Gimme Shelter”
Chord progression: C# minor (i) – B major (VII) – A major (VI)

3. David Bowie – “Heroes”
Chord progression: D major (I) – G major (IV) – A major (V)

These examples provide a taste of similar two-chord or unresolved progressions in other classic rock songs. While they may not be exact matches to the Kashmir outro, they share some structural similarities within their respective context, showcasing how simple chord progressions can be effective.

Musical Analysis

This simple two-chord progression creates an interesting harmonic landscape as it avoids traditional resolutions expected in tonal music. The choice to emphasize an ascent from G major to the A major chord, rather than following a more typical resolution from the dominant chord (E major), provides the track with a distinct modal quality. This harmonic ambiguity is a signature of Eastern music influences, which are quite prevalent in Led Zeppelin’s work.

Overall Analysis

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.

Style Analysis

The signature sound of “Kashmir” stems largely from Led Zeppelin’s ability to blend Western rock with Eastern elements, such as the drone-like quality of this outro. Though the chords themselves are relatively simple, the arrangement and instrumentation are what make this progression shine. The driving percussion, layered strings, and guitar embellishments give this simple progression a powerful, even hypnotic, quality.

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

G, A, G, A, G, A, G, A, G, A, G, A, G, A, G, A, G