Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey gang. I had some blood taken today (ouch) and saw an opportunity, so I picked up a 6 pack and the Beatles "Love" CD/DVD on the way home, and am enjoying a great afternoon of great music and great enhanced inebriation on this fine afternoon in the Sunshine State.

I'm about halfway through this thing, and am unable to continue listening without replaying certain tracks. It's really amazing, and a super artistic work in its own right.

It's also inspired me to focus here on what people may be asking for without knowing how to ask it. I'm talking about the "devices" used in rock as opposed to overall songs.

For example, look at "Here Comes the Sun." I can't remember what key it's in, but I think it's G. I also seem to recall that being a 12-string with a capo on the fifth fret, so he's fingering D chords and sounding G chords.

The chorus is pretty simple, with one really cool device:

| G | G | C | A(maj) | G/D | C G/B etc...

Did you catch it? It's the G/D chord. I think the best effect of this is to cross-direct the harmony to the bass line. A major (which is not usually in G) wants to resolve up a fourth (standard) to D. Normally a song would go A major (out of the key) to a D major ( in the key) then to a G major (the key itself).

Since we're in the key of G, we get to hear the strength of a I chord (G in G) with the proper resolution of A to D in the harmony, or bass.

So he kind of "skips a step" to get us home to G, but we still get our expected A to D. So we are kind of doubly satisfied.

Thoughts? I'm going to go listen to the next track now. I have more to say on this, but I'll wait fro preliminary responses.

"Did you catch it? It's the G/D chord. I think the best effect of this is to cross-direct the harmony to the bass line. A major (which is not usually in G) wants to resolve up a fourth (standard) to D. Normally a song would go A major (out of the key) to a D major ( in the key) then to a G major (the key itself). "

That is over my head. I have no idea why the A is in there or why it is out of key.

Please to 'splain?

Jason, did you ever think that we're on a planet circling the sun which could be a part of an atom in another, larger, infinite universe that, when taken as a whole, is a tuna can tossed in the trash by a Brobdignagian giant?

Well, if anybody has thought of it, you have.

Or so I thought...

I'll bet George didn't sit with (Eric's) 12-string and say 'which passing tones should I use?'. He just played it. But when you go back and listen you can see the slick move.

The original is in A (capo at the 7th, play a D shape).

Interesting post, Jason.

Hey gang. I had some blood taken today....

My first thought was that the Jdog finished his tax return.

Seriously, I think that I need to buy the CD.

You do, Richard. It's better than I had expected based on descriptions. The whole piece stands up VERY well, like a new Beatles album, almost. I drove around for an hour and a half just to finish listening to it the first time through my car stereo.

It's not healthy to think about music.

Not when you're talking to your girlfriend, that's for sure.

"I have no idea why the A is in there or why it is out of key."

Key of G has one sharp, F#. An A major chord would be A C# E. C# does not exist in the key of G.

If I were analyzing that chord progression, I'd call the A major chord a V of V.

Thanks Erik! Although I'm a little puzzled about the V of V. I'm almost scared to ask why that is relevant, and how the heck do people know it would work? Or, as some have suggested, people play a song, and then the analysts have to make it fit theory?

I think that's true, Charly. Some people blaze the trails, others map them.

Both seem equally important!!

V of V means dominant of a dominant, basically.

When you're in G, V = D.
So, in the key of G, V of V = A.

I'd explain more but there's hockey to be watched! Maybe later.

Did you say hokey? NO? Ohhh, hockey!

Is that a real sport?

Ouch. I'll remember that the next time I wake up bruised, battered, and so sore I can barely move after a game.