MUSC 1800: Popular MusicHarmonic Schemata

Dr. Matthew C. Saunders

Lakeland Community College

C-1078

What are “harmonic schemata?”• A schema (pl. schemata) is a formula or cliché

used as a building block

• As the rock era progressed, an increasing number of songs relied on short, repetitive chord progressions

• Listen for these progressions in songs from the 1950s forward and note them in the “Harmony” section of analyses

Harmonic schemata: Why do we care?

“I think that harmony is the most difficult of the seven elements of music to understand, especially for a non-musician. If you can latch onto these little chunks of harmony, you will be able to say something important about a song when you hear it.”

The Duke

• a.k.a., the 50s progression

• Usually 4 bars (16 beats)

• “Duke of Earl,” Gene Chandler

– Repeated throughout song

• “Earth Angel,” The Penguins

– Most of song

• “Stand by Me,” Ben E. King

– Most of song

The Louie

• Usually 2 bars (8 beats)

• “Louie, Louie,” The Kingsmen

– Entire song

• “Hang on Sloopy,” The McCoys

– Entire song

The Fall

• a.k.a., Andalusian Cadence• Often 4 bars (16 beats), sometimes

changed up– Listen for descending bass line

• “Hit the Road, Jack,” Ray Charles– 2 beats per chord

• “Runaway,” Del Shannon– Verses only

• Modified versions:– “25 or 6 to 4,” Chicago– “Hotel California,” Eagles

The Journey

• a.k.a., Pop-Punk Progression

• “Don’t Stop Believing,” Journey

• “Let It Go,” Idina Menzel

– Chorus

• “The Edge of Glory,” Lady Gaga

– Chorus

• “When I Come Around,” Green Day

– Verses, 2 beats per chord

The Minor Journey

• Same as the Journey, but starts in the middle

• “Africa,” Toto

– Chorus

• “Dynamite,” Taio Cruz

– Entire song, 2 beats per chord

• “Stronger,” Kelly Clarkson

– Verse