Hello,
I'm trying to do up an article/lesson using miss misery by elliott smith.
Principally the song is in Dm (verses Dm, Cadd9, Bb, F, Bbmaj7/F etc chorus similar)
In the first bridge the following sequence is used
Ab, Cm, F, Dbmaj7, Ab, C This seems to be using chords from Fminor (F and C chords aside), which is a pretty common substitution.
However im at a loss for how to explain what going on in the second 'bridge' section, which runs
D,C,Bb,Bb,F,F,G7,G7,Bb,Bb,C,C#dim
I realise the c#dim is used simply to lead into the Dm to start the next verse but what is going on in the bridge...
sorry if this question is a bit vague, hopefully someone can decypher what im getting at...
thanks
sozay
currently number 60 in total posts... and shooting for number 1!!
Hiya,
Well, it looks like it's cycling though keys without settling anywhere.
D -> C is V -> IV in G
C -> Bb is V -> IV in F
Bb -> F is IV -> I in F and I -> V in Bb
F -> G7 is IV to V in C
G7 -> Bb pivots around D (5th in G7 and 3rd in Bb). This hints at Dm again.
Bb -> C is IV -> V in F
C -> C#dim suggests a key change but if it resolves back to the key of Dm then it's a fake. It's not a particularly clever fake - normally the chord after the X#dim would be the ii chord of the new key and lead to a ii-V-I resolution. So, using Dm next, I'd expect it to resolve to C via G7.
Presumably, it sounds ok, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.
Best,
A :-)
"Be good at what you can do" - Fingerbanger"
I have always felt that it is better to do what is beautiful than what is 'right'" - Eliot Fisk
Wedding music and guitar lessons in Essex. Listen at: http://www.rollmopmusic.co.uk
Thanks Alan,
just on the last part, the use of the c#dim, isnt that pretty much equivalent to using an A(7) to lead back to the dm, which is a fairly common movement (and is used in the verses V -> i)
Thanks again,
sozay
currently number 60 in total posts... and shooting for number 1!!
just on the last part, the use of the c#dim, isnt that pretty much equivalent to using an A(7) to lead back to the dm, which is a fairly common movement (and is used in the verses V -> i)
Yes, the C#dim contains the notes C#-E-G, while A7 is A-C#-E-G. The two can substitute for each other and will lead the ear back to D or Dm, reestablishing key after modulating all over the place.
--
Helgi Briem
hbriem AT gmail DOT com
