George Michael's Skillful Use of Extended Chords - Composer Insights
video description
Date: 2022-03-28
Related videos
• TED-Ed
Comments and reviews: 10
Alexander
I think part of the expressiveness that you keep bringing up, while yes, can (and should) be attributed to the leaps and jumps in the melody and the chord extensions, is the fact that it was played on a saxophone. To me, even as a guitar player, the sax might be the most expressive instrument in pop music. Think about it. Clarence Clemons (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band), Raphael Ravenscroft (Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty), Steve Gregory (who played on this song), Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Stan Getz all played this instrument, in -VASTLY- different contexts, and got all kinds of different emotions out of that piece of metal.
reply
I think part of the expressiveness that you keep bringing up, while yes, can (and should) be attributed to the leaps and jumps in the melody and the chord extensions, is the fact that it was played on a saxophone. To me, even as a guitar player, the sax might be the most expressive instrument in pop music. Think about it. Clarence Clemons (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band), Raphael Ravenscroft (Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty), Steve Gregory (who played on this song), Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Stan Getz all played this instrument, in -VASTLY- different contexts, and got all kinds of different emotions out of that piece of metal.
reply
Caqueto
Sr, as bass player could I use your courses to understand what is happening harmonically and melodically in the baselines of a song ? And be able to create more sofisticases baselines? Is there any video you have made speaking only about bass lines ?? Can extensions be used in a bass line? I ask this because it is that the role of the bass player is to outline the harmony meaning play the root of the chords. So, is the bass limited to use triads when playing in a band? Thanks !
reply
Sr, as bass player could I use your courses to understand what is happening harmonically and melodically in the baselines of a song ? And be able to create more sofisticases baselines? Is there any video you have made speaking only about bass lines ?? Can extensions be used in a bass line? I ask this because it is that the role of the bass player is to outline the harmony meaning play the root of the chords. So, is the bass limited to use triads when playing in a band? Thanks !
reply
ArielAr
First of all, many thanks for such an instructional video !!! I wonder if George Michael himself wrote the introduction with all its glory and details, of if the recording company the producer hired professional arrangers to take care of those details, like choosing the sax and the melody line it'd play. But disregarding who composed that melody line for the sax solo intro, it is a masterwork worth studying in detail. Thank you for your video
reply
First of all, many thanks for such an instructional video !!! I wonder if George Michael himself wrote the introduction with all its glory and details, of if the recording company the producer hired professional arrangers to take care of those details, like choosing the sax and the melody line it'd play. But disregarding who composed that melody line for the sax solo intro, it is a masterwork worth studying in detail. Thank you for your video
reply
Smith
Wikipedia tells that while words and melody, including the sax riff, were written by George Michael, it was Andrew Ridgeley who came up with the chord progression. He was even credited as a co-writer for that, and not only as an arranger. So while George was obviously a musical genius, maybe this case was actually Andy's light-bulb moment.
However it might be, this video was a nice presentation of why that beginning is such a masterpiece.
reply
Wikipedia tells that while words and melody, including the sax riff, were written by George Michael, it was Andrew Ridgeley who came up with the chord progression. He was even credited as a co-writer for that, and not only as an arranger. So while George was obviously a musical genius, maybe this case was actually Andy's light-bulb moment.
However it might be, this video was a nice presentation of why that beginning is such a masterpiece.
reply
Brendan
I was never really a big fan of this song ( I always preferred 'different corner ) because I'm not a fan of the saxophone..but seeing it played and explained like this has definitely given me a different perspective of it .
I've always loved the F/A chord esp on the piano it's so expressive and it gives you feeling of movement ...it can be uplifting but it can also be mournful because of its need to resolve itself .
reply
I was never really a big fan of this song ( I always preferred 'different corner ) because I'm not a fan of the saxophone..but seeing it played and explained like this has definitely given me a different perspective of it .
I've always loved the F/A chord esp on the piano it's so expressive and it gives you feeling of movement ...it can be uplifting but it can also be mournful because of its need to resolve itself .
reply
8CountAudio
Also I think it was pure genius to have the sax carry the melody. Obviously it was the go-to move in that era, but the articulation of the melody is so lyrical and voice-like! Also-don-t sleep on some of the best -80s ballad bass-playing in this song! Lastly we gotta appreciate that thumpy snare and toms sound-sounds a little dated even for -84 but it-s so iconic
reply
Also I think it was pure genius to have the sax carry the melody. Obviously it was the go-to move in that era, but the articulation of the melody is so lyrical and voice-like! Also-don-t sleep on some of the best -80s ballad bass-playing in this song! Lastly we gotta appreciate that thumpy snare and toms sound-sounds a little dated even for -84 but it-s so iconic
reply
music_matters
-Why does this song have such popular appeal?-
Since you asked, if I were to hazard a guess it because three main reasons:
1: The second most iconic Saxophone intro ever.
2: -I-m never gonna dance again, guilty feet have got no rhythm,- is such a great line you only need to hear it once for it to stick.
reply
-Why does this song have such popular appeal?-
Since you asked, if I were to hazard a guess it because three main reasons:
1: The second most iconic Saxophone intro ever.
2: -I-m never gonna dance again, guilty feet have got no rhythm,- is such a great line you only need to hear it once for it to stick.
reply
David
I 'hear' extended chords when I combine the chordal accompaniment with the melody line (The saxophone in this case). Some of them can be superfluous (like the 'Dm add 9' on the first note!
UPDATE: I wrote the above before I viewed the whole video; great minds think alike :)
reply
I 'hear' extended chords when I combine the chordal accompaniment with the melody line (The saxophone in this case). Some of them can be superfluous (like the 'Dm add 9' on the first note!
UPDATE: I wrote the above before I viewed the whole video; great minds think alike :)
reply
Stephen
Great video - and a very helpful illustration of using chord extensions. I wonder if you would post what key signature the tune has so we can also see the chord progression in terms of tonal centres. Is the sequence a
vi(9) - ii7 - Ib - IV7 - iii7 ?
Thanks
reply
Great video - and a very helpful illustration of using chord extensions. I wonder if you would post what key signature the tune has so we can also see the chord progression in terms of tonal centres. Is the sequence a
vi(9) - ii7 - Ib - IV7 - iii7 ?
Thanks
reply
Rizzieri
Thanks for going through this in-depth explanation. it's so good to think melodically about the chords used. I agree the melody added to the chords makes such a richer sound without using complicated chords. I will try this in my next song.
reply
Thanks for going through this in-depth explanation. it's so good to think melodically about the chords used. I agree the melody added to the chords makes such a richer sound without using complicated chords. I will try this in my next song.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
