https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpwhSG06EVYThis song starts off in the key of Bb and modulates to F and to G, it goes from Bb - F - Bb - G.
To get to the keys of F and G from Bb, the composer has slotted in some slick chord changes, which I've attempted to transcribe as follows (feel free to correct my chords):
To modulate from Bb to F (0:41-0:54):
Ebm Bb | Fm C | Ab7 G7 | C CAug|
To modulate from Bb to G (2:31-2:46):
Ebm Bb | Fm C | Cm F7 | Am DAug|
Looking first at the chords in the Bb-F modulation, I think of each of the first two bars as a new modulated key, so iv - I in Bb and C, before settling in C for the last 2 bars. The C then becomes augmented 7, which leads it to F..
With the chords in the Bb-G modulation, the same idea applies so the first two bars are iv - I in Bb and C respectively, but then it changes up to be come ii - Vs in Bb and G for the last two bars..
Is my understanding of the harmonic functions here correct? that the modulation starts and centers around some seemingly random minor plagal cadences and ii - V changes.. Any other explanations or observations that I've missed?
Comments
First two bars the same, like you say.
Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
Thanks for the chord corrections! I do need to train my ear some more. Another error I commonly make is mistaking a simple major chord for its relative minor 7, particular is more jazzy progressions.
It is interesting composing to go from a minor ii - V (A dim - D), and then changing the movement to a secondary dominant movement (A7 - D), not something I've paid attention to before, but it works so well!
Looking at the chords again, I would think there are 3 modulations in the following progression:
Ebm Bb | Fm C | A(dim) - D | A7 - D |
Bb to C (the mini modulation) to G minor (A(dim) - D, which also happens to be the relative minor of Bb) to G major (A7 - D, secondary dominant movement)! really clever!
Another really cool bit which happens in the song takes place at 0:23-0:28, which I've bolded below:
Bb | Dm | Dm7b5 - G7 | Cm |
Ebm | Bb - Bb6 | Ebmaj7 - A7| D |
I would've expected the Ebmaj7 to be a Em, to make it a simple ii - V to D, but we get an Ebmaj7, which I dont really understand, the best explanation I can think of is that it is similar to a tritone sub? Really perks your ears up.
Band Stuff: https://navigationofficial.bandcamp.com/album/silhouette-ep
You take the bII chord and play it in 1st inversion, and miss out the 5th, so you just have the 3rd and the octave of that bII. In this case over your Eb chord that would be the G and the Eb above, which is a diminished 6th (G A Bb C D Eb)
Those 2 notes then pincer into the V chord, which is A - the G goes up a tone to A and the Eb goes down a tone to C# - so you have the 1st and 3rd of A (or A7), ready to resolve to Dm (or D).
Incidentally, the next two chords that return us to the home key are F and Bb. So we have Eb A D F Bb, which is a really odd progression and puts me in mind of Giant Steps.
Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
Band Stuff: https://navigationofficial.bandcamp.com/album/silhouette-ep
Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.