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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“Welcome to the Machine” by Pink Floyd is a progressive rock piece that features a rather minimalistic chord progression, with only one chord during the outro. The piece is characterized by its lush soundscape, synthesizer layering, and the use of sound effects to create an atmosphere of a mechanized world.

“Time” by Pink Floyd is a progressive rock song that features an uncommon chord progression with some unique harmonic choices. The Verse 2 progression has a strong sense of tonal ambiguity and the chords often fluctuate between major and minor tonalities. This contributes to the emotional depth and complexity of the song, which is characteristic of Pink Floyd’s music.

“Hey Joe” is a famous song by Jimi Hendrix, which features a simple yet very effective chord progression throughout its verses. It has a five-chord progression, which is C, G, D, A, and E. This progression creates a strong and recognizable flow, thus contributing to the song’s iconic status.

“California Kids” by Weezer is a pop rock song with influences from alternative and power pop. The chord progression in Verse 2 shows a blend of diatonic and borrowed chords, which contributes to a slight sense of tension and resolution throughout the progression. The chords in the verse also exhibit movement by step (C to C/B) and a mixture of major and minor tonalities.

“Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin is a classic and iconic rock song released in 1971, as part of their fourth studio album, Led Zeppelin IV. The song is considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time, featuring an intricate chord progression, a memorable melody, and folk-inspired acoustic guitar work. The verse you provided is the second verse of the song, which shares a similar, but not identical chord progression to the other verses. The song is in the key of A minor, and the chord progression showcases a mix of diatonic and borrowed chords, along with a couple of chromatic alterations.

Pink Floyd – Welcome To The Machine – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

Em, Cmaj7, Emadd9, C, A, Em, Cmaj7, Emadd9, Cmaj7, Emadd9, Cmaj7, Em(add9)

Chord Progression Analysis

Em (i) – Cmaj7 (VI) – Emadd9 (iadd9) – C (VI) – A (iv, borrowed from E major) – Em (i) – Cmaj7 (VI) – Emadd9 (iadd9) – Cmaj7 (VI) – Emadd9 (iadd9) – Cmaj7 (VI) – Em(add9)(iadd9)

Borrowed chord: A (iv)

Similar Chord Progressions

1. Radiohead – “Paranoid Android”
Em9 (im9) – A (IV, borrowed from E major) – Cmaj7 (VI) – Abmaj7 (bV)

2. King Crimson – “Starless”
C#m (i) – G#m (ivm) – E (I, borrowed from C# Major) – F# (V/iv) – G#m (ivm)

These examples showcase similar elements found in the “Welcome to the Machine” progression, such as modal mixture, extended chords (specifically major 7ths), and unconventional chord sequences. While the exact progression may not be the same, the techniques employed by these artists contribute to similar musical landscapes and a shared sense of harmonic sophistication.

Musical Analysis

This progression starts with an Em chord, establishing the tonal center. The next chord, Cmaj7, serves as a stark contrast, with its major 7th creating a sense of tension that resolves once the progression returns to Em.

The incorporation of the Emadd9 and Em(add9) chords adds an element of color and emotional depth to the otherwise straightforward minor harmony. The use of the borrowed A major chord adds a brief moment of brightness to the progression before returning to the darker, more melancholic tone.

Throughout this verse, Pink Floyd weaves in and out of tense harmonic moments using modal mixture (borrowing chords from parallel major/minor scales), creating an emotionally engaging journey for the listener.

Overall Analysis

The chord progression in Verse 2 of Pink Floyd’s “Welcome to the Machine” is a complex and somewhat unconventional progression. It primarily features chords from the E natural minor scale, with some borrowed chords from the parallel E major scale. The progression creates an atmospheric and moody soundscape that is characteristic of Pink Floyd’s music, especially in their album “Wish You Were Here.” It also displays a certain level of sophistication in the harmony which underscores Pink Floyd’s musical depth.

Style Analysis

This chord progression is typical of Pink Floyd’s progressive rock/psychedelic rock style. The combination of modal mixture, extended chord voicings (such as the maj7 and add9 chords), and unconventional harmonic movement contributes to their distinctive sound. The chords blend well with their signature use of ambient synthesizers, lush electric guitar textures, and introspective lyrics.

Chords in the Verse 2 section of Welcome To The Machine by Pink Floyd are:

Em, Cmaj7, Emadd9, C, A, Em, Cmaj7, Emadd9, Cmaj7, Emadd9, Cmaj7, Em(add9)