kidgloves2
11-10-2007, 01:51 PM
I've been learning about chord progressions lately. How to stay diatonic, how to modulate etc... But I can't for the life of me explain how The Beatles came up with the intro to "I Want You (She's So Heavy)"
It goes:
dm - dm7 - E7b9 - Bb7 - A+
What were they thinking theory wise? I want to be abe to come up with my own using this technique.
Basshole
11-10-2007, 02:09 PM
Taking a stab at this (Disclaimer: I know nothing about theory, never studied much of any):
The intro strikes me as having a tonal center in D minor.
Then the song's form begins in A minor.
To me, that constitutes the song "starting" at the intro harmonically at the fourth, sort of in harmonic suspension. The release of this fourth's tension is the top of the regular form...thus the top of the form is essentially very boldy underlined harmonically by having resolved to it from a suspension.
BassChuck
11-10-2007, 02:44 PM
I've been learning about chord progressions lately. How to stay diatonic, how to modulate etc... But I can't for the life of me explain how The Beatles came up with the intro to "I Want You (She's So Heavy)"
It goes:
dm - dm7 - E7b9 - Bb7 - A+
What were they thinking theory wise? I want to be abe to come up with my own using this technique.
What were they thinking? Music.
Later the theory boys show up and try to explain things. The best sounds come from within, not from a theory book. The Beatles listened to all kinds of things all styles all eras, they (all of them) were intellectually and musically curious. It paid off.
Keep an open mind about all sounds from all sources. Learn to play every song that you like. Give yourself over to everything you love.
DocBop
11-10-2007, 03:04 PM
What were they thinking? Music.
Later the theory boys show up and try to explain things. The best sounds come from within, not from a theory book. The Beatles listened to all kinds of things all styles all eras, they (all of them) were intellectually and musically curious. It paid off.
Keep an open mind about all sounds from all sources. Learn to play every song that you like. Give yourself over to everything you love.
The only problem with what your saying you forget a theory book can be a source of inspiration just like listening to music is. You discover a musical idea and experiment with it, write/play something using it the same as hearing it song you like.
Don't let the theory books scare you, they only limit you if you let them. As Jazz legend Don Cherry said... When people believe in boundaries, they become part of them.
pretaanluxis
11-10-2007, 10:41 PM
Don't let the theory books scare you, they only limit you if you let them. As Jazz legend Don Cherry said... When people believe in boundaries, they become part of them.
check and mate :p