Questions tagged [analysis]
For questions about studying the intricacies of a piece of music. Questions should also be tagged with a more specific form of analysis if applicable.
309
questions
6
votes
1answer
114 views
Help me figure out the mode of this Howard Shore piece
I have been trying to harmonically analyse this piece by Howard Shore called “Beyond the Forest”, an Elvish song from the Hobbit. I have included the sheet music below (page two is linked) and you can ...
3
votes
2answers
85 views
Strange out-of-key chords in Blow by Beyonce?
Can someone explain to me what is going on tonally in Beyonce's song Blow? The bass notes deceptively seem to suggest the chords in the verse are G major and F major. But these chords do not sound ...
4
votes
3answers
76 views
On Schumann posthumous variation V's note on a natural G or a flat G
This shows the first two bars of Schumann posthumous variations V.
Look at this music note (red-squared), I am curious to know why Schumann chose a natural G instead of the original flat G in this ...
6
votes
2answers
146 views
Naming a chord in the first movement of Mozart's K. 331?
How could one name the first chord in measure three in Mozart's A-major piano sonata K.331, first movement?
It looks like a F#-minor-7th-chord without the fifth, i.e. something like a substitution of ...
3
votes
1answer
41 views
What interval sequences “defined” Fux's counterpoint?
Motivation
When Fux laid out his rules for counterpoint, he did so primarily in terms of melodic (horizontal) movements within each voice and secondarily in terms of harmonic (vertical) relationships ...
3
votes
2answers
103 views
How does one analyze a song that moves primarily between two non-diatonic chords?
The score for 'The Simple Life' by Jerry Martin indicates three flats, which would typically mean either Eb major or C minor. However, almost the entire song just moves back and forth between Bb major ...
8
votes
3answers
353 views
Do incomplete chords get roman numerals in harmonic analysis?
I am studying figured bass. I see some chords might be incomplete, for example 8/3 chords. Would those chords get Roman numerals assigned to them, or must all 3 notes of a triad be present to be able ...
4
votes
2answers
89 views
In what context(s) is the Nashville Numbering System preferable to Roman numerals?
In his answer to What's the difference between the Nashville Number system and a Roman Numeral System?, Dom states that "Roman Numeral Analysis as stated is used mainly in analysis while the ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
When does this extract change key? (Roman Numeral Analysis of Greene: 'Ode on St Cecilia's Day')
Quick question regarding bar 3 in this figured bass exercise. We start off in D minor. The introduction of C naturals in bar 3, along with the fact we finish the piece in the relative FM, seems to ...
2
votes
2answers
98 views
How should I analyze this chord progression?
A while ago I developed a chord progression on the piano I find really beautiful. It goes
C E G B
C D# F# B
B D# F# A
B E G A
and then after repeating that a few times over I add
B E F# A
A D# F# A
B ...
5
votes
6answers
328 views
Labeling a dominant triad over subdominant bass
I wanted to highlight a particular chord of my previous question because it was bugging me a bit. What would you call a dominant triad over a subdominant bass, in pop/jazz roman numeral analysis? It ...
2
votes
2answers
100 views
Four part Writing: When must a perfect fourth be resolved?
A bit confused at the moment regarding when a perfect fourth is classed as a consonance, and when it is classed as a dissonance. I have read here on Stack Exchange, that perfect fourth intervals are ...
3
votes
1answer
142 views
Roman numeral analysis: Bridge over Troubled Water
I'm trying to create a "universal key" to learn more about the harmony and to be able to practice it easily in every key. Below is the intro for 'Bridge over Troubled Water'.
Generally, I ...
4
votes
3answers
162 views
In the context of G Major, is there anything special about a Am-Cm-Bm-Em progression?
It looks like a ii-V-iii-vi going around the circle of fifths but with the V replaced with a iv, but I don't know what the theory behind that replacement is. I'd heard of tonicization before but I'm ...
2
votes
1answer
44 views
Not following Hindemith-type analysis
I am having trouble following the analytical methods applied in David Neumeyer's The Music of Paul Hindemith.
Please refer to example 3.12:
I would like to use one of the chord changes to put my ...
2
votes
1answer
50 views
Inversions of diminished 7th chords
I have the following passage in D minor which features two diminished 7th chords:
I have labelled most of the chords, but I am at a loss of how to label these two diminished 7th chords.
If I could ...
5
votes
3answers
200 views
Roman Numeral Analysis - Tonicization of relative major key in minor key
I have a passage that I am trying to analyse with roman numerals:
The passage is in B minor, but the section in question briefly tonicizes D major - the relative major key.
My question is, how can ...
3
votes
1answer
130 views
Harmonic Analysis of C. M. von Weber Clarinet Concerto No.1
My question is regarding this passage from C. M. von Weber's Clarinet Concerto No. 1. The passage is taken from the exposition of the first movement and has so far been established in F minor.
Bars 20 ...
4
votes
6answers
1k views
What is the purpose of the first movement in Moonlight Sonata?
As someone inexperienced in formal music theory, I wonder what the purpose of the first movement of Moonlight Sonata is. Whenever I listen to Moonlight Sonata, I feel like skipping directly past the ...
1
vote
0answers
49 views
What's the measure of “Stop This Flame”? [closed]
I suppose Celeste's song is something like 2/4? It reminds me of samba.
1
vote
3answers
139 views
When using Functional Chord symbols, how can we distinguish between a Dominant 7th chord and a Major 7th chord? [duplicate]
In the key of F major (for example), we can have the chords C7 and Cmaj7.
C7 = C-E-G-Bb and Cmaj7 = C-E-G-B
Using Functional Chord symbols, the basic tonic chord is "I",
and the basic ...
1
vote
3answers
112 views
Modulation Techniques in 'Sword Art Online - Swordland (Main Theme)'
In Sword Art Online - Swordland (Main Theme) (https://musescore.com/user/13887436/scores/4364901), it goes through a series of modulations and was wondering how the modulations work and how they ...
4
votes
1answer
149 views
What is the function of this chord progression in Schubert's “Winterreise”?
I'm having a hard time figuring out how the chord progression from Schubert's Winterreise (D911), No. 11 "Frühlingstraum", measures 15–26 works (from the section marked "Schnell" ...
1
vote
2answers
84 views
What differentiates different styles of music? [closed]
Funk, pop, rock, country, disco, house. What makes these different? I mean, I know I can hear that they are different, it’s clear, and it’s also clear when I hear a new song I can classify it ...
3
votes
3answers
111 views
Four part writing: How to voice diminished 7th chords?
I am currently doing part writing, and have come into a bit of a conundrum. I want to use a sharp 4 dim 7 (Fsharpdim7), to link up my IV chord (FM) to my V7 chord (G7).
I know that 7ths should usually ...
6
votes
2answers
253 views
Four part writing problem: tripled root solution. what is best practice here?
I have hit a problem with this chord change in my four part writing. We are in A minor.
The VI chord is in first inversion, so A must be in the bass. (I have made a mistake in the figure. the VI ...
3
votes
2answers
431 views
Interpolated chords: How do they work?
Recently, I studied the tune 'Misty' by Eroll Garner. I was slightly confused as to the middle section of the piece, as it involves a passage with some delayed resolutions. I have come across three ...
1
vote
1answer
74 views
How does Modulation in Spirited Away - Name of Life work?
I was wondering if there is any harmonic reasoning and mechanism in play with the modulation from C major to Eb major in measure 103? The only "logic" that I can think of is that in previous ...
1
vote
1answer
182 views
Chord Progression in Merry-Go-Round Of Life
In Joe Hisaishi's Merry-Go-Round Of Life, I'm trying to understand harmonically what is happening from measures 15 - 22. Below is my chord analysis in this G minor piece:
Measure 15: Bb/F [III]
...
0
votes
3answers
75 views
Chord naming conventions: When is a 6 a 13? [duplicate]
I have seen/ heard people say that you only write a 6 when there are no other upper extensions used (meaning no inclusion of 7 and above).
I have also heard people say that you only write a 6 when ...
3
votes
4answers
164 views
A romantic era piece has a baroque era title: how does one determine the style?
J. Danbé's "Petite Gavotte" (ca. 1888) for violin and piano seems to be baroque mainly because of the title, "Gavotte", which was a common baroque dance. But I can't find any ...
4
votes
5answers
200 views
What makes a chord a sus chord?
In light of some recent answers to questions I have asked on Stack Exchange with regards to naming chords, I have decided to refine things a little further, focusing on sus chords.
If a chord contains ...
0
votes
1answer
98 views
what is the method behind naming jazz chords? [closed]
I have recently become confused about how to name chords in jazz.
This is my current understanding:
Add chords (without 7th)- chord that contains the root, third, (optional 5th) and one or more ...
1
vote
2answers
37 views
Seeking help: song comparisons and analysis [closed]
I'm looking for some assistance in comparing songs to one another. Lately I've been noticing that listening to a song will remind me of another song or two that often aren't even the same genre, have ...
5
votes
8answers
1k views
Secondary Dominants - is there a more appropriate term?
An example - in key C major, the E7 chord is a 'secondary dominant' chord. Now, if it goes directly to the chord it's dominant to in its own right - A, or Am, then it makes sense to call it secondary ...
3
votes
1answer
128 views
How can one analyze the chord progression from “Your Affection (from Persona 4 soundtrack)” by Shoji Meguro?
I've been listening to Persona 4 soundtrack by Shoji Meguro recently, and soon got hooked on a song called "Your Affection". It's a J-pop song whose catchy chorus intrigued me with a ...
3
votes
2answers
445 views
How do you explain this Db7 (functional harmony) in “There will never be another you”?
I'm analysing this Jazz Standard. And it's quite straightforward with some major and minor II-V cadences here and there yet there is a chord I don't know how to explain, and it is that Db7 indicated ...
1
vote
1answer
57 views
How do I learn how to accompany with Piano [closed]
I've been long time sheet music reader and I've recently switched to chord sheets in desperate pursuit of improving my musicianship.
I've always wanted to reach a level where can arrange and ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
Why would this piece be called “Adagio in D minor” when it's in E minor?
I have very little theoretical knowledge, but AFAICT this piece is not in D minor, but in E minor?
Adagio in D minor, by John Murphy from the soundtrack of Sunshine:
...
3
votes
2answers
249 views
How can this chord from Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini be analyzed?
I'm working on an analysis of Variation XVIII of Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.
This famous variation is in D♭-major. I'm trying to analyze that first chord in measure 660. This chord ...
3
votes
3answers
284 views
How would you analyze (harmonically) the intro of Preludio de Adiós?
I'm learning from books about harmonic analysis in order to improve my interpretative skills.
So, I am studying this piece by Venezuelan composer Alfonso Montes, called "Preludio de Adiós". ...
-1
votes
1answer
43 views
In your opinion, what song structure does Glasvegas's “Geraldine” follow?
I would argue that the song "Geraldine" by Glasvegas (embedded below) follows an AABA structure, as there is variation in the second A repeat; however, a melody from the original repeats ...
0
votes
2answers
75 views
How would these chords from “When Christmas Comes to Town” be analyzed?
Hi everyone.
I'm analyzing "When Christmas Comes to Town", which is one of my favorite holiday songs.
The image shows the last four measures of the bridge section. The bridge is in E♭-minor, ...
1
vote
1answer
45 views
How would this nonchord tone be labeled? Is it a retardation?
I'm working on an analysis of a song, and there is a section where the phrase starts off on this E-natural note over a B-flat major triad. This is the first note of the melody line.
Since it isn't ...
3
votes
4answers
422 views
How should this half-diminished seventh chord from “Christmas Time Is Here” be analyzed in terms of its harmonic function? [duplicate]
Hi everyone.
I'm working on an analysis of Christmas Time Is Here, which is in F major.
I'm trying to determine the best way to analyze the Bm7(♭5) chord circled in the image. I have 3 explanations ...
2
votes
2answers
83 views
Analysis of a difficult piece of music without access to the score [closed]
I'm aware that this question is long and contains many sub-questions, but I hope it is fine the way it is at the moment.
Lately I've started becoming more interested in analyzing musical scores in ...
0
votes
1answer
345 views
Analysis of Bolivia by Cedar Walton [closed]
I am a guitarist learning jazz and our combo leader has given us Bolivia by Cedar Walton. I can play the head and the comping (barely) but I am completely lost about improvising in the A section. I ...
1
vote
1answer
275 views
Redundant entry of a Fugal Exposition
When analyzing a fugue, I get confused at times about where to put the redundant entry. Is it the 5th or more entry of the subject and/or answer? I’m not sure.
0
votes
2answers
111 views
How do I determine the key of this given only an E7 secondary dominant chord
How am I supposed to determine the key with the only given E7 chord, which is used as an extended dominant in this case .
1
vote
2answers
77 views
How would these nonchord tones from Beethoven's Pathétique Sonata best be analyzed?
Hi everyone.
I'm working on an analysis of Movement II from Beethoven's Pathétique Sonata.
In the measures shown in the image, I am trying to analyze the nonchord tones that occur in the chromatic ...
