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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel is a song from the folk-rock genre. Built on simplicity with few chords used throughout the whole song, the primary focus of the song is on the hauntingly beautiful melody and the profound lyrics. It is written in the key of Am which gives the song a melancholic and somber tone.

The chord progression for “The Sound Of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel is in the key of A minor. It makes use of both diatonic and borrowed chords. The song reflects a folk and folk rock style, with its roots in the 1960s. The melody and harmony are interwoven to form an integral part of the song, reflecting the introspective and melancholic mood of the lyrics.

The song “Get You” by Daniel Caesar features a smooth and soulful chord progression that reflects the style of contemporary R&B and neo-soul. The chords provide a sense of warmth and sincerity that complements the song’s intimate lyrics. The progression is primarily diatonic, but with some borrowed chords, which adds an interesting color to the music.

The chord progression in “Breathe” by Pink Floyd is relatively simple, mostly alternating between two chords – Em and A7. However, this simplicity is quite effective in creating a relaxed, dreamy feel which is consistent with the overall theme of the song. This is a characteristic feature of Pink Floyd’s music, using simple chords and progressions to create a powerful emotional impact.

The chord progression in the verse of Tyler, The Creator’s “Earfquake” is primarily based on a simple alternation between two chords, Bbmaj7 and Am7, with a brief excursion to Gm7 before returning to Am7. The simplicity and repetition of the progression creates a feeling of comfort and stability, while the use of major 7th and minor 7th chords adds a touch of sophistication and smoothness. The progression doesn’t follow a traditional functional harmony, but it effectively supports the melody and the overall vibe of the song.

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound Of Silence – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

[‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘C/B’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’]

Chord Progression Analysis

Here’s an analysis of the chords when related to the key of A minor:

Am (‘i’)
G (‘bVII’)
Am (‘i’)
F (‘bVI’)
C (‘III’)
F (‘bVI’)
C (‘III’)
F (‘bVI’)
C (‘III’)
C/B (‘III’)
Am (‘i’)
C (‘III’)
G (‘bVII’)
Am (‘i’)

These chords are not all diatonic (naturally occurring within the key of A minor), the F (bVI), and G (bVII) are borrowed from the parallel Mixolydian Mode.

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Borrowed Chords:
F (‘bVI’)
G (‘bVII’)
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Similar Chord Progressions

An example of a song with a similar chord progression (and also in the key of A minor) is the famous Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. The progression in Stairway to Heaven, although not identical, brings the same combination of minor and major chords in sequence.

Stairway to Heaven’s Verse:
Am (‘i’)
C/G (‘III’)
G (‘bVII’)
D/F# (‘IV’)
F (‘bVI’)
Am (‘i’)
Am (‘i’)

Musical Analysis

The chord progression in The Sound Of Silence creates a moving and haunting atmosphere fitting for the song’s themes of alienation and despair. The repeated use of the i – bVII – i transition creates a feeling of yearning that becomes increasingly poignant as the song progresses.

Overall Analysis

The Sound Of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel, released in 1964, is a solid example of folk rock genre transitioning into what we now know as classic rock. The chord progression is straightforward yet powerful, and it perfectly complements the beautifully written lyrics and evocative vocal harmonies. Furthermore, the song is written in A minor, a key that is often associated with sadness, which enhances the melancholic and introspective feelings conveyed by the lyrics.

Style Analysis

In terms of style, the use of this particular chord progression is typical of the folk rock genre, and was popular in 1960s, with frequent use of minor keys as a means to evoke melancholy or pensiveness.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of The Sound Of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel are:

[‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘Am’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘F’, ‘C’, ‘C/B’, ‘Am’, ‘C’, ‘G’, ‘Am’]