Self taught but would like to learn theory. Using a song I know would help me learn.Will use “/” to show bar. Intro /C C A/C C A G F/F F Dm F D/ Verse /D/ chorus /A Bm/. Thank You.
You’ve picked a difficult one to try to learn with! 🙂
The verse is straightforward, it’s in the key of D major. D, A and Bm all belong to the key of D. The chord sequence used here isn’t a common one but either way, they all belong to the same key and the verse rests on D major.
The riff section used in the intro is not really in any definite key and the chords go by so quickly that it wouldn’t even be worth trying to over-analyse. I would look at the riff as being something completely separate from the verse. The closest you could get to giving it a key would be to say it’s almost the key of C major. The only chord in this section that don’t belong in C major is the A, which would be Am in the key of C.
You could, if you like, say the intro is C major with one outside chord – but personally I wouldn’t bother. I’d just view it as an undefined riff or lead in section because there is nothing really happening that gives it a sense of modulation from one key to the other, it’s kind of unsettled. This will be hard to explain if you’re just learning.
The best thing is to probably try to analyse some other songs as well, the more you do, the more you will make sense of it. Feel free to ask more though.
Thank You. Easy song to learn by ear with all the major chords and 2 minor chords. I tried to find the key but nothing seemed to fit. Didn’t think it was a difficult but I’m glad you said it was. I’m going to buy your book so you might hear from me again. Thank You.
Thanks Stev. Theory can be quite complicated and take time to learn but you don’t need to be an expert, just learning the basics can be a big help. All questions are welcome if you get stuck.
Hi Stev, bit late to the party but hope your theory journey is going well. Sometimes when odd notes/chords appear it can point towards a mode rather than a diatonic scale, so although C isn’t in the D major scale it is in D Mixolydian, which is basically the major scale with a flat seventh. Used by lots of bands you wouldn’t think, AC/DC, Guns N Roses, Lynyrd Skynrd, etc etc. it creates a nice mix of Major and Minor.
Other times song writers might just grab a chord from a parallel scale so D Major mainly but borrowed the flat seventh from D Minor, confusing i know, but really it all comed down to if it sounds good stick it in there regardless of theory, breaking the rules has made many great songs.
