[LAU] [Absolutely OT] - for musicians only

Chris Hogan hodginson at gmail.com
Thu Jan 14 03:25:04 EST 2010


>> fons at kokkinizita.net wrote:
>> > Hello musicians,
>> >
>> > Pink Floyd's 'Atom Heart Mother' ends with two repetitions
>> >
>> > E G F C, E G F C, E G A B, E G F# ?????, E G F C etc.
>> >
>> > It's the F# ????? - the surprising modulation just before
>> > the theme repeats - that I'm after. Most PF harmony is quite
>> > straightforward but this one defeats me... Anyone knows this
>> > chord progression ?
>> >
>> Wouldn't that be in the key of E, Fons?  If so the F# is the II chord,
>> which would typically resolve to the IV, or B7 in that key.  That
>> wouldn't be a modulation, it would be a "turn-around," and especially so
>> since the progression continues on with another E.
>>
>
> Good call. The II is used in jazz and gospel, IIRC. Zappa did some with it too: the Inca Roads guitar solo vamp is I-II.
>
> Rick Wright was the only original member of the Pink Floyd who had formal music schooling, and he was also a jazz fan. David Gilmour might have had some training; I don't remember.
> Maybe one of the Pink Floyd members decided to just throw something different in there, randomly, just for fun.
>
> -ken

Just had a listen to the section in question, and I'd put money on
that 'turnaround' being one of Ron Geesin's contributions to the song.
I have no idea what the chords are, though. I don't think Wright or
Gilmour are even in the mix at that point, so you'd have to get the
chords from the brass + choir.

Here's a quick guess at the bassline (I only have a bass with me right now).

F# G F# A# B F# B G (then back into the main theme).

Not super-useful I know... maybe someone more musically trained than
me (i.e anyone) could have a guess at the chords from the bass melody.

I think Frank's on the money when he says it's a F# - B turnaround. If
you wanted to simplify it I think you could probably get away with
just playing F# then B (with an augmented B right at the end where the
bass plays the G). Wouldn't sound much like the record though... and
wouldn't be as much fun, either.

Chris.



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