Sir Duke – Stevie Wonder - Harmony

Sir Duke – Stevie Wonder - Harmony

Listen to the song HERE.

I have to tell you that found two chord progression jewels in this song. I’m already scheming on how to use them in my own music and I am honestly hesitating to share them with you in fear that one of you will beat me to the punch. Unfortunately they are far too cool to keep to myself. So here you go world. Feast on this.

Heart and Soul - Verse Variation

Remember a few weeks ago when I talked about the “Heart and Soul” pattern in the Death Cab for Cutie Song? (You can read it HERE.) That “Heart and Soul” pattern shows up again in this song, except Wonder put his own special spin on it.

The “Heart and Soul” power progression (it’s called a “power progression” because it is a very common progression, used in all styles and genres) is this...

I...VIm...IV...V

...or its sister variation...

I...VIm...IIm...V

Stevie takes this progression and substitutes a bVI major chord in place of the IV chord (or IIm chord, depending on which variation you are most familiar with). So you get this progression...

I...VIm...bVI...V

The actual chords are this...

B...G#m...G...F#

Compare that with the “normal” progression...

B…G#m...E...F#

Heart and Soul - Chorus Variation

I have to admit that I sort of knew of the verse substitution previously, but this next one took me by complete surprise. I didn’t realize that his chorus ALSO is a variation of the Heart and Soul progression.

Here’s the regular Heart and Soul progression again...

B...G#m...E...F#

Wonder’s chorus is based on this variation...

B...G#...E...F#

Did you catch that? He changes the G# minor chord to G MAJOR!

Advanced: I should point out here, that the band is actually playing the following chords (which are based on B...G#...E...F#)...

B...G#7...EMaj9...(C#m7, E/F#)

Changing the VIm to VI is something so simple and brilliant that I wonder why everyone isn’t doing it. I can’t believe I missed that for so many years. That, my friends, is why Stevie Wonder is uber-famous and I’m writing a blog about how famous he is!

-        - - - - - - - - - -- -

Chromatic Dominant Chords

Yesterday I pointed out the cool chromatic melody in the second half of the verses. I thought I’d show you the chords he used to play underneath the melody...

E7...Eb7...D7...Db7

D7...Eb7...E7...E7

E7...Eb7...D7...Db7

D7...Eb7...E7...F#7

I don’t have much commentary here, other than the dominant chords keep the tension relatively high. In the recording, the whole band plays the chords, it’s a great effect.

-        - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I think I learned from this song that I need to be willing to stretch myself even further. I tend to lean towards the complex, when really a simple adjustment here and there makes an amazing difference. How enlightening!

Now go out there and write something inspiring. Have a great week.

~Shane

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sir Duke – Stevie Wonder

(verse)

Music is a world within itself with a language we all understand

With an equal opportunity for all to sing and dance and clap their hands

But just because a record has a groove don’t make it in the groove

But you can tell right away, at letter A, when the people start to move

(chorus)

They can feel it all over, they can feel it all over people

They can feel it all over, they can feel it all over people

(verse)

Music knows it is and always will be one of the things that life just won’t quit

But here is some of music’s pioneers that time will not allow us to forget

For there’s Basie, Miller, Satchimo, and the king of all Sir Duke

And with a voice like Ella’s ringing out there’s no way the band can loose

(chorus)

You can feel it all over, you can feel it all over people

You can feel it all over, you can feel it all over people