interpretation problem

Hi Djim,

Sherry's right, I think. There's not enough of the piece to establish a key. It might be in C, and begins with the tonic chord with an added minor 7th. (The Eb doesn't really count because it's a grace note leading to a natural E.) In fact the whole example contains tones in a C chord. Or it could be in G minor and begins on the sub-dominant chord, a C with a minor 7th. I think the chord analysis above the notes hints at the ambiguity. There doesn't seem to be any particular reason that the G's in the bass should be considered parts of a G minor chord.

I guess for me the important thing is that, so far, it sounds pretty good.

all best,
mgj

Hi you guys,

Well, it does look like it's basically in C, since the majority of chords are built around the I, IV and V chords of C, although there are those that it takes a somewhat tortured analysis to make come out that way. The ending provides a good example. The final chord is a C with a minor 7th and 9th, the 5th missing. Just before that you could say it's a Db chord with the same basic structure, but you could also say, I guess that it's an augmented F chord with a diminished 4th and minor 7th. The important thing is that, for me, it makes a nice indefinite cadence. In a number of places, I'd just call some of the chords combined, such as in measure 11, where a G major and G minor are combined. If you look at just the notes of the melody line, you see pretty much a piece in C.

I don't see any inescapable logic to the key signature, and wonder if perhaps it was assigned to reduce the number of accidentals to a minimum, which would make sense.

What my ear sends to my brain results in hearing a catchy enjoyable piece. So if Jaco just plays the notes that he sees, it should sound good. And it may be more fun in sunny Portugal than usually overcast Southeast Ohio.

all best,
mgj

Hi Mg
Thanks for the in depth analysis of this little tune .It is indeed a nice easy peace to play along the bass line in C ,whatever the intention of the composer.

quote:I don't see any inescapable logic to the key signature, and wonder if perhaps it was assigned to reduce the number of accidentals to a minimum, which would make sense.

We call it " artist´s freedom " in EU.
Thanks again and regards
Djim