Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Playing a 4th over a root, why does this work?


iconic
 Share

Recommended Posts

Yes, the confusion here is because the chords on the first post are wrong. The song would be written in Cm as this is the first chord - although no chordal instrument is playing an Eb so it is implied rather than played.

Verse
C Bb Ab Bb

Pre chorus
Ab (2 bars) Gsus4 G Fm Fm/Bb Gm Bb

Chorus
C Eb Ab Bb

Now there are more complex implied harmonies in the song - the Ab in the chorus is clearly a Lydian sound (2nd vocal melody note is D) but that's essentially it. However, the verse and chorus harmony is the same. Only the bass plays an Eb instead of a Bb, which reharmonises it to an Eb chord. It works just as well with a Bb in the bass but adds a bit of colour to the track. A similar thing happens on chord 5 of the Pre chorus. The kbd is playing an Fm but the bass hits a Bb. This is a fourth over the root, but on a minor chord, which is usually less dissonant.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They're the chords. The chords you mentioned on the first post were wrong. Most of the chords in this song are just triads, e.g. Cm or Bb. I can see why the verse/chorus chords might have been written as C5, Bb5, Ab5 etc. (note that as the key is C minor, whose key signature uses Bb, Eb and Ab, you wouldn't normally write A# or G#), because the keyboard and guitar aren't clearly playing a major or minor 3rd over most of those chords. However, the harmony is there - you can hear it in the bass and backing vocals. That's why it is incorrect to write the chords using the "x5" symbol - which as has been explained elsewhere is a power chord (root and perfect 5th) with no discernible major or minor sound.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...