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Related Music Theory Alchemy

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles is in the minor mode and its chord progression showcases rich harmonic content and unexpected key changes, common to The Beatles’ music. Harmonically, it features an interesting mixture of chords from the parallel major and minor keys, which is indicative of modal interchange, a key characteristic of The Beatles’ songwriting.

“The Long And Winding Road” by The Beatles presents us with a classic example of their innovative approach to harmony and composition. Drawing from various sources of influence, the song incorporates elements of traditional pop ballad form with a hint of the Baroque harmonic palette. This song is an excellent study in complex harmony and modulation within a pop music context, a trait that underpins much of The Beatles’ later work.

“Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles is a psychedelic rock song often regarded as one of their finest works. It’s innovative from both a melodic and harmonic perspective, using complex chord structures, chromatic touches, and key changes. The song is primarily in the key of E major.

The chord progression in the verse of Beck’s “Sexx Laws” is a blend of major and minor chords, which creates a unique and somewhat unpredictable sound. The progression shifts between the key of B major and G# minor, reflecting an adventurous approach to harmony. The style of this progression has a hint of funk and jazz, with a touch of blues.

The given chord progression of Weezer’s “California Kids” features a verse in the key of C major. The progression primarily uses diatonic chords, with a more unconventional movement that features the use of a C/B chord, or I chord with the bass note played in the seventh degree (leads to tonicization of the vi chord). The progression also features a common IV-V movement that is a characteristic of pop and rock music.

The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Verse 1

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Chord Progression

[‘Am’, ‘Am/G’, ‘F#m7b5’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Dsus4’, ‘D’, ‘Dsus2’, ‘D’, ‘Esus4’, ‘E’, ‘Am’, ‘Am/G’, ‘F#m7b5’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘E’]

Chord Progression Analysis

In musical analysis of ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ Verse 1, the chord progression goes as follows:

Am (i), Am/G (i with G in bass), F#m7b5 (vi half diminished), Fmaj7 (VI), Am (i), G (bVII – borrowed from parallel key Am mixolydian), D (IV of relative major), Dsus4 (IVsus4 of relative major), D (IV of relative major), Dsus2 (IVsus2 of relative major), D (IV of relative major), Esus4 (V of parallel major), E (V of parallel major), Am (i), Am/G (i with G in bass), F#m7b5 (vi half diminished), Fmaj7 (VI), Am (i), G (bVII – borrowed from parallel key Am mixolydian), C (III of parallel major), E (V of parallel major).

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Borrowed Chords: G (bVII – borrowed from parallel key Am mixolydian)
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Similar Chord Progressions

The chord progression bears some similarity to the style found in songs like “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin, or “Something” by The Beatles themselves, showcasing a mixture of major, minor, and suspended chords creating a rich harmonic progression. Also, “Yesterday” from The Beatles uses similar chord progressions including borrowing parallel major and minor chords.

Here is the chord progression in Stairway to Heaven’s verse:

Aminor (i) – Gsharp diminished (vii dim) – Gmajor (bVII) – Fmajor (VI) – Aminor (i) – Amajor (I of parallel major) – Cmajor/D (VII with D in bass) – D/F# (IV of relative major)

Likewise, in “Something”, a Beatles classic showcases a mixture of major, minor, and suspended chords in its verse:

C (I) – Cmaj7 (Imaj7) – C7 (I7) – F (IV) – D7 (II7 – secondary dominant) – G (V) – Am (vi) – Am/G (vi with G in bass) – Am/F# (vi with F# in bass) – F (IV).

Musical Analysis

What stands out in this song is Harrison’s wide use of borrowed chords and secondary dominants, creating an interesting tonal color and musical depth. A clear demonstration of modal interchange, the song uniquely moves from Am (natural minor focused) to D (Dorian mode focused) and also manipulates the harmonic rhythm extensively for emotional effect. The transition between sus4 and sus2 on the D chord creates additional tension leading to resolution.

Overall Analysis

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is in the key of A minor and quite uniquely, the song borrows chords from parallel major and minor keys, as well as from modes like mixolydian. It is one of George Harrison’s contributions to the Beatles and showcases sophisticated harmonic techniques and an intricate chordal design, reflecting deeply on the influence of Eastern music and philosophies on his songwriting.

Style Analysis

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is marked with melancholy – a sensation further enhanced by the varied and unusual chord choices which bring a sense of pathos to the composition. It showcases George’s unique usage of modal interchange, extended harmonies, and diatonic substitution, thereby depicting a groundbreaking depth in popular music of the time.

Chords in the Verse 1 section of While My Guitar Gently Weeps by The Beatles are:

[‘Am’, ‘Am/G’, ‘F#m7b5’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘D’, ‘Dsus4’, ‘D’, ‘Dsus2’, ‘D’, ‘Esus4’, ‘E’, ‘Am’, ‘Am/G’, ‘F#m7b5’, ‘Fmaj7’, ‘Am’, ‘G’, ‘C’, ‘E’]