Chord extension recognition

[Don Kasper]

And the very first chord posted a question for me.
It's "pure" Cmin7(9) but...
The counterpoint in Measure 1(as second melody) plays Gb.
Should it be the Cmin7add(b5) chord?

I hear : Cmin7,6,9 add b5, with the Gb to G as a chromatic flavor in the voicing. If I wrote this up I might specify that the b5 and 5 are both present in the harmonic fabric.
That is what my Dinosaur Earz are telling me.
Thanks.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I hear : Cmin7,6,9 add b5, with the Gb to G as a chromatic flavor in the voicing. If I wrote this up I might specify that the b5 and 5 are both present in the harmonic fabric.

It so nice to have such a knowledgeable Musician always ready to help others.
Thank you so much.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I hear : Cmin7,6,9 add b5, with the Gb to G as a chromatic flavor

There are a lot of versions of that Bill Frisell track, "Strange Meeting", especially, live versions.

Here is what I have after putting together the composer's harmonic ideas:
Just in Intro.
(Simplified chord version)

Cmin7, 6,9 (add #11)
D7(add 11) - due to that "loud" G
Abmaj13,#11 x 2
Abmin9,11,13 x 2
Cmin7,9 (add #11/b5) x 2
--------------------------------- Repeat

Fmin9
G7b9 / G7b9,b13
Cmin7,9,13
Cmin7,6,9


Here is a live version of that track.

Acoustic Guitar: Bill Frisell
Electric Guitar: Bill Frisell
Bass: Dave Holland
Drums: Elvin Jones



Another version.

Bill Frisell-guitar
Melvin Gibbs-bass
Ronald Shannon Jackson - drums

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Just a good example of the 11th chords:

Vamping/Repetition of
Amin11 (9) and Dmin11 (9).
What's interesting, both chords have that structure of D and G, plus A

Amin11 - A C D E G (plus, sometimes B as 9th)
Dmin11 - D F G A C (plus, sometimes E as 9th)
There are very few exceptions.
One passing chord of Ab7sus4 at the very beginning - around 0:17,
and temporary tonicization(?) - Dbmaj9, around 2:36.

If you listen and play along numerous times, you will start memorizing/internalizing that sound of the 11th chords.

 

[RG55]

These analysis are way above my pay grade, but I sure enjoy reading them (and listening to the examples). Keep up the good work.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

These analysis are way above my pay grade...

No, it's above our pay grade - from an amateur musician (it's me).

I like Robbie Williams. From time to time, he produces some interesting and very attractive songs.
Let's look at his song, "Hotel Crazy."
It has a simple but complex harmony, and it's Pop Music.




Intro

One could clearly hear the Dominant V7 chord – Eb7 - at the beginning - that wants to resolve to Tonic (that’s what I’ve thought). N.B.The guitar’s loud note/s of F establishes the chord as Eb9.

It’s easy: we will have a movement from V7(9) to I, but…

Instead of resolving into I major or I minor, we are getting another Dominant 9th chord with the note of Db (as 11) and the guitar pedaling that F note; therefore, our chord becomes Ab9,11,13

No resolution.

Next chord, the third one has a similar architecture – Db9 (the Dominant chord + 9th). It sounds more like Fmin7b5 with Db in the bass, due to that clearly pronounced MINOR sound.

It looks like we have an example of the Dominant Cycle (when Dominant 7 chords move up by 4ths or down by 5ths in a continuously resolving sequence), but where is our end destination?

Everything ends with the (familiar) Dominant chord of Eb9.

The texture is dense/thick like some rolling harmonic waves of various (synth, brass) instruments.




Recitative (not rap) starts:

Eb9 - "Everyone's suggesting, inferring, - Ab9,11,13 - in bold type
The idiots and actually the Db9 - minority
That I'm wasted, that I'm strung out
Eb9 - Well, they all should be wondering why the hell I'm not!"



[Verse 1: Robbie Williams]
(The same chord progression, just the song’s texture becomes “thin.”

The bass is playing, primarily, the roots and it sounds just right:

Eb – Eb – Ab – Ab – Db – Db – Eb – Eb)



Eb9 - I'm gonna speak my truth, I think I'm losing it
Feel kinda - Ab9(11,13) - liberated just a little bit

(Just my personal note. I was expected for the song’s harmony would go back to Eb9 because of the Melody, but I was wrong. The composer has decided to continue that Eb – Ab – Db – Eb rotation and move to Db9)

And I'm a - Db9 - Big Mac short of a Happy Meal
Not sure - Eb9 (I was expecting going back to Ab, but…) - what to say or how to feel

(Around this moment, I’ve accepted Eb9 as our TONIC.

Tonic as the Dominant chord – no problem, just check almost any Blues songs.)


[Chorus:]
The same chord progression, just texture is getting “thicker.”

Eb9 - Checking into Hotel Crazy
Ab9(11,13) - Leaving all my bags in the lobby
Db9 - The velvet stairs don't make a sound
As we're – Eb9 - hitting up to a higher ground

[Post-Chorus:]

Eb13sus4 (due to clearly pronounced Ab and C) - Holding on to something that's gone in the – Abmaj9 – wind

(N.B. It’s a very nice and unusual chord – the Abmaj9, not some DOMINANT ONE.

I’m, probably, the only one in the world, but I would call it
Modulation from Dominant Ab9 to Ab (maj9) – as our REAL TONIC.)
Dbmaj9 - Holding on to something that's gone in the - Eb9 - wind.

I've really enjoyed the song.

 

[RG55]

I don't know how you manage to get all this detail.
You must be making this all up, or else... you are a... Witch!?
Methinks a dip in the pond is in order.


Would you care to turn your talents to this song?...

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Would you care to turn your talents to this song?

N.B. I don't have any special talent/s or special ears.
It's just hard/diligent work based on lots of amateur musician's (it's me) years of playing with seriously-pro people.

About your provided songs.
There are millions of songs and billions of fans that like those songs.
I am one of those billions of fans.
I love music but, due to my busy work schedule (about 12 hours everyday), I don't have a lot of free time, maybe, about 45 minutes after work, when I try to rejuvenate my aging brain.
It means, if I hear something interesting (to me), I say, "Let's take a look."
But, should you have any SPECIFIC question, from a specific measure from a specific song, then, of course, I would be more than happy to help you.

 

[RG55]

Thanks for the explanation (and your offer) .
It seems like a great exercise for ears and brain. You use just Transcribe! to do it?

Perhaps you will take a fancy to that song and its different versions
But if not, keep posting your interesting "somethings"