2

I was wondering what is the tonality of Sitting on the dock of the bay (

) since no diatonic scales fit the chord progression.

Here is the chord progression : G | B7 | C | A7 .

On the chord sheet I have it is wrote that the key is G but the chords B7 and G7 aren't in key. Thus my question is what is happening here ?

Improve this question
6
  • 1
    Until that A7, I was reminded of the chord progression of Radiohead's "Creep", which is G | B | C | Cm. – Dekkadeci Feb 4 at 13:54
  • Not just something its about the half of the chords – Cryckx Feb 4 at 14:24
  • 1
    It is in G. Being "in G" does not mean that there can only be G major diatonic notes. The home note is G and the home chord is G major. Home is where the song could end. If there's a non-diatonic note or chord, it just means that at least during that chord, the perceived current scale is changed, there's a chromatic alteration. During the B7 chord, D is raised to D#. During A7, C is raised to C#. The B7 chord makes you feel like, Em would be a suitable easy-choice next chord. But it slips to C instead. A7 makes you feel a D chord would fit next, but it goes straight back home to G instead. – piiperi Reinstate Monica Feb 4 at 15:03
  • 1
    The real question that the OP should ask is, what happens if there is a non-diatonic note in a chord. And the answer is: then that scale degree is chromatically altered at least for the duration of that chord. This should be basic Music 101 stuff. – piiperi Reinstate Monica Feb 4 at 15:11
  • 1
    @piiperiReinstateMonica I guess the issue is how we define "basic" in "basic analysis questions." I agree that your re-framing of the question is more suitable, but I also wonder if we already have too many of those questions as it is. Please feel free to vote to re-open if you feel strongly enough! – Richard♦ Feb 4 at 16:16