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Related Music Theory Alchemy

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.

“The Sound Of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel is written in the key of Am and follows the Verse-Chorus form common in pop and rock music. The progression consists of a beachfront of common and borrowed chords, showing the use of modal interchange and diatonic chords in creating a memorable and emotive sound.

“1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins employs a variety of chords throughout the song, including major, major 7th, and minor 7th chords. The chord progression varies between sections but is based mostly on a mid-tempo groove in the key of E Major. The song utilizes common pop/rock conventions to create a dreamy and nostalgic soundscape, with the juxtaposition of the major and minor 7th chords adding complexity.

“Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley is a popular and iconic song that showcases Jeff Buckley’s unique vocal talent and emotional delivery. The song is in the key of C major and features a simple yet effective chord progression. The song’s memorable melody is accompanied by guitar, which uses arpeggiated fingerpicking. This adds to its musical depth and also creates dynamic rhythmic interest. The song builds in intensity as it progresses, and this, along with the powerful lyrics, contributes to the overall emotional impact of the piece.

“Since I’ve Been Loving You” is a blues-influenced rock ballad by Led Zeppelin. Its chord progression showcases the band’s eclectic mix of blues, rock, and jazz influences. The progression is characterized by a mix of diatonic and chromatically altered chords, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of harmony and emotional depth that is typical of Led Zeppelin’s music.

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound Of Silence – Verse 3

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Chord Progression

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

Chord Progression Analysis

Here are the chords for this Verse 3:

G Major (bVII)
A minor (i)
F Major (bVI)
C Major (III)
F Major (bVI)
C Major (III)
F Major (bVI)
C Major (III)
C/B (III)
A minor (i)
C Major (III)
G Major (bVII)
A minor (i)

Here’s the information within a code block:

“`
G Major (bVII), A minor (i), F Major (bVI), C Major (III), F Major (bVI), C Major (III), F Major (bVI), C Major (III), C/B (III), A minor (i), C Major (III), G Major (bVII), A minor (i)
“`

Similar Chord Progressions

“Hey Jude” by The Beatles also has a similar progression. In the key of F, the chords go:

F Major (I)
C Major (V)
Bb Major (IV)
F Major (I)

In the key of G, the song “Wonderwall” by Oasis also has a similar progression:

Em7 (vi)
G (I)
Dsus4 (v)
A7sus4 (II)

Both of these songs use diatonic chords with the addition of suspended chords or 7th chords to add more complexity.

Musical Analysis

This chord progression presents with a cyclic repetition of harmonic sequences, providing a unique sense of coherency to the song. Borrowed chords such as bVII (G Major) and the bVI (F Major) from the parallel major (A major) feature prominently in this progression, imparting further color and depth.

Overall Analysis

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.

Style Analysis

Simon and Garfunkel’s style is characterized by their use of diatonic and borrowed chords, creating a fluid movement that evokes a varying array of emotions. The regular cycling of these chords, with occasional shifts in rhythmic emphasis, allows the progression to maintain a sense of unpredictability while still being familiar, characteristic of their folk and folk rock style.

Chords in the Verse 3 section of The Sound Of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel are:

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