Chord style
child
that makes a Todd Rundgren song sound like
a Todd Rundgren song?
He does alot of chord changes then blends into a
quick riff.
Thanx for the help.
--
forgive them for they know not what they do!
Nil
news:ZSI28.4228$hp6....@nwrddc01.gnilink.net:
> Can someone tell me the chord style
> that makes a Todd Rundgren song sound like
> a Todd Rundgren song?
Here's a little treatise I wrote to describe what I hear as Todd's
trademark chord voicings:
---------
If I had to pick one musical device to represent all of Todd's
music, it would be this, his most frequently used chord voicing.
It's more traditionally know as a Polychord, but I call it "The Todd
Chord".
Imagine sitting at a piano keyboard. You are preparing to play a C
major 7 chord. With your left index finger, play the root of the
chord, a nice, deep C note. Your first instinct may be to play a C
triad (C, E, and G) with your right hand... resist that urge!
Instead, play a G triad (G, B, D) along with your C bass note.
That's it - THE Todd chord! It can properly called a Cmaj9 chord,
but I notate it as G/C (pronounced "G over C") Sweet, isn't it?
That's because you're playing the 5, major 7, and 9 of the chord,
all very colorful tones.
Here's Todd's other favorite voicing of a major 7: play your big C
bass note with your left hand, and with your right, play a D triad
(D, F#, and A.) You are now playing what is, in effect, a C6/9#11
(that is, a C major 6 cord with added 9 and sharp 11 notes.) I
notate it and think of it as D/C. If you are familiar with the
concept of modes, this chord strongly implies a lydian mode.
Now try alternating these two chords: play and hold your big deep C
with the left hand, and play first a G triad then a D triad with
your right. You have now played the first chord to Don't You Ever
Learn (in the key of C, like the record.)
j.j.
Jonathan Risen
plays to make the chord fuller, especially when he plays acousticaly.
I'm sure someone else can explain it better!
Sparx Fligh
Man might be:
G bass note (play in pinky + thumb octave style), with right hand quickly
arpeggiate the following notes up and then down:
\\: (up) A- D- F#- G- (down) F#- D ://
Once you got that simple ditty try this- get a tempo like 'The Spark of
Life" in your head; keep the same arpeggiated pattern going in the right
hand, and every other bar change the bass note only. Try this pattern-
Each bass note represents two bars:
G- E- C- A (repeat).
Have fun!
"Jonathan Risen" <jri...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:18373-3C...@storefull-2157.public.lawson.webtv.net...
kevthepedestrian
Thanks!
--
---
Kevin & Nicole-Capri Brocksieck
Tapestry Performing Arts
http://www.tapestryarts.com
"Nil" <redn...@lycos.com> wrote in message
news:Xns919CC3A3D479...@65.96.0.182...
j.j.
Right on the mark.
Is there a specific music term for
Todd style?
I notice the left hand plays more
of the 4th chord whilest the right hand
swings between the 1 and 5 chord.
It definately has a unique Rundgren sound.
Thanks for the little diddy.
Sparx Fligh <sp...@execs.com> wrote in article
<6pX28.83$Ar5....@typhoon.austin.rr.com>...
Sparx Fligh
"j.j." <g...@werpl.nqw> wrote in message
news:01c1a2b0$4563d980$6601a8c0@jnix...
> Is there a specific music term for
> Todd style?
Not that I've ever had explained to me in clear terms- I've asked many
schooled musicians over the years but they all had different ideas. (I'm
self taught).
The secret to an instant Todd chord is to first choose your root, (lets say
'C'), count up a fifth and make that your chord (G),
also known as G/C.
Or take a chord ('C' again), play it third inversion (G,C,E) and use the 6th
note from the root as the bass note (A). This is the first chord to "Love is
the Answer.
This would be termed as " CIIIiv/A"
Bounce back and forth between these two chords:
CIIIiv/A to GIIIiv/E
(hint: GIIIiv/E would be voiced in the right hand as - D,G,B while the left
hand plays and E bass.
When you bounce between these two chords with a soulful feel, you should
recognize the typical 'Todd groove'.
The fun never stops....................
Extra hint: Todd chords sound very rich and full when played in keys that
use many black keys (forgive me if I'm insulting anyone's intelligence here,
I'm trying to make this accessible to everyone, not just the pros on the
list).
Enjoy!
sparX
Sparx Fligh
chords. She played them earlier and more frequent than TR ever did. Every
Laura Nyro chord pretty much has that same voicing pattern.
And while were at it- they aren't even Laura Nyro chords to be completely
accurate.
Church organ music from the 1600 is full of those type voicings, black
gospel groups have been using those chords heavily for well over 100 years
now.
There will be a test on this tomorrow!!!
"j.j." <g...@werpl.nqw> wrote in message
news:01c1a2b0$4563d980$6601a8c0@jnix...
JWelsh3374
tc
> Can someone tell me the chord style
> that makes a Todd Rundgren song sound like
> a Todd Rundgren song?
> He does alot of chord changes then blends into a
> quick riff.
> Thanx for the help.
Besides the Todd chord and inversion which others have mentioned,
there's also some atonal stuff going on. Despite all the complex
harmonic textures, the underlying chord progression is actually rather
basic (it is, after all, rock music), and you can figure out the chords
rather easily if you have a keyboard (I use the much-underrated "play a
random note until it harmonizes" method of transcription). Learning some
actual Todd chord progressions would be the best way to go about
understanding his unique compositional style.
tkm
Todd's song...or the other way around.
TKM
KB
to it.
knox...@webtv.net
here, but didn't get much response. As stated here in other posts, the
bass is a 4th above the root chord. If the chord is C, the bass is F, if
the chordis Eb, the bass is Ab etc. But what also makes his sound
unique, while the bass is creating those suspensions, he will back his
melodies with chord "inversions" (Can We Still Be Freids etc) that
corespond with the melodies. Another thing Todd does is if the chords go
from C to D, he will hold the C bass. A nice suspension he uses (If I
Didn't Try) the notes C, D and G with E on the bass, or the "added
single note" suspension. If you play a B minor 7th with the notes A, D
and F# with B on the bass, add a G note to th chord, just above the F#.
As far as the evolution of the Todd chord in pop music. I actually
talked to Todd about this stuff during his Back To The Bars tour. It
essentally was first heard in pop music via Leonard Bernstein in West
Side Story. In the song Somewhere, where they go Someday, Somewhere.
That's an E to an A chord with an A on the bass. Then the E to A chords
stay the same on the next measure, but the bass drops to an F# (ala, It
Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference). Alo in "Tonight" (Tonight tonight
I'll see my love tonight etc) it's C o D holding the C bass Then Burt
Bacharach took the ball and mixed Benstein's West Side Story "stuff"
into mainstream radio pop. I Say A Little Prayer
"Forever and ever you'll stay in my heart etc".
Then Brian Wilson used them in 1966 on "Pet Sounds". Get out your Pet
Sounds CD and put on the 6th song "Lets Go Away For A While" and you'll
hear Todd chords, pre-Todd. Then Laura Nyro took the ball an gave the
sound it's first spiritul edge, especially on "New York Tendaberry",
which Todd (who was blown away and inspired by Laura's performance at
L.A's troubador) and he gave it his signature, adding not only a pop and
spiritual, but a metaphysical edge to the sound as well.
tc
I think his greatest gift as a composer is in balancing his chord
progressions with strange chords that sound wrong at first but grow on
you after a while. Like in the verse of "Fade Away," at the "everyone
has left for home" line, he plays a F/Bb(?) that isn't a "proper" chord
in the key of C (or even a chord at all in the strict tonal sense) but
is just perfect. (I might be wrong on that chord though - I'm just going
from memory)
Sparx Fligh
<knox...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:2608-3C5...@storefull-104.iap.bryant.webtv.net...
>> Bacharach took the ball and mixed Benstein's West Side Story "stuff"
> into mainstream radio pop.
WOW! WOW! WOW!
"West Side Story". That is actually how I got to be a Todd fan in the first
place. My parents used to play the soundtrack for WSS at home. "Tonight,
Tonight" was my first favorite song in my life. I have always loved Todd's
Broadway attitude on many of his songs. Needless to say, 'Second Wind'
tickles me down to my primal roots of love for music.
I'm just amazed to see anyone mention West Side and Burt Bacharach in this
group!!
If I had the money, I would hire Todd to personally record a version of
"What the World Needs Now (Is Love Sweet Love)" just for me.
That song gives me goosebumps no matter who sings it!!
The entire soundtrack to 'Little Shop of Horrors' is another one of my
current favorites.
InviziCat
>"West Side Story".
It was the first record album I ever bought, at around age 11 I think. I'd
seen the movie with my parents and just HAD to have the soundtrack. I saved my
fifty-cents-an-hour babysitting wages till I had the $3.98 that albums cost WAY
back then, lol.
~cat~
hellogoodbye: so wicked you'll have to go to church afterwards...
"Its all about having fun. And fighting capitalism."
(From the hellogoodbye mission statement)
www.hellogoodbye.net
Msmariarose
Story" songs sung to me. I'm not complaining though, I still get a kick out of
it. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED 2ND WIND!
Little Shop of Horrors is one of my all time favorite films and soundtrack. I
wish Todd would come out with another cd in which his most beautiful voice was
showcased. Yer Fast and ISP, just doesn't cut it, vocally speaking. I'll
never understand it, why he didn't capitalize more on his great vocal talent.
I guess he did it his way, heh, Todd sings Sinatra.........featuring "My Way".
What do you think?
Regards, Maria
knox...@webtv.net
playing Jets and Sharks with the kids on the playground. We made
switchblades out of....ice cream bar sticks! (Thank God for the age of
innocence).
I would hum those melodies over and over
for hours. It was like Bernstien's musical innovations were so powerful,
you had "musical radar" for any artist following in those footsteps.
At least I did, and I know Todd did. Remember, Bernstien's previous
score was for "On The Waterfront", talk about back to back.
I actually heard that the night West Side Story premiered in New York in
the late fifties, when the show ended, the audience sat stupfied and
silent for five minutes, before someone finally could start clapping. By
the way, I hope someone here checks out "Lets Go Away For Awhile" the
sixth song on Pet Sounds, for those great chords.
Sparx Fligh
"Msmariarose" <msmar...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020127094106...@mb-ma.aol.com...
> What do you think?
What do I think?
I think I'm falling in love with you Maria!
Lets get together for wine, Broadway soundtracks and curl up for 'Little
Shop of Horrors' on my widescreen and Dolby ProLogic system!
Hell, I'll even pop the popcorn- you just bring your sweet little Italian
self.......................
(Be still my beating heart!)
JJ
I wrote a "Rundgren" song using Finale Notepad.
Would anyone like to here it?
Can I post a small MP3?
I can also post it as sheet music.
The title is Rundgren the Penguin.
I figure if Paul is the walrus
Todd must be the penguin. ha ha ha ha
JJ
child <n...@skin.com> wrote in article
<ZSI28.4228$hp6....@nwrddc01.gnilink.net>...
olives
there. Thanks ,Ritchie
House Of Maag
Then Laura Nyro took the ball an gave the
> sound it's first spiritul edge, especially on "New York Tendaberry",
> which Todd (who was blown away and inspired by Laura's performance at
> L.A's troubador) and he gave it his signature, adding not only a pop and
> spiritual, but a metaphysical edge to the sound as well.
>
she break his heart?... was she ever married..?..
mick
trippyna
She was married in the early seventies. She was sexy.
KSBEditor
especially later in her life. I think she was living up on Cape Ann here in
Massachusetts.
Tom
Laura Nyro, 1947-1997. I had no idea - I guess I missed that one.
"KSBEditor" <ksbe...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020201112251...@mb-mf.aol.com...
tc
> Laura Nyro, 1947-1997. I had no idea - I guess I missed that one.
Same here. Sorry to hear it was from cancer.
stevew...@btinternet.com
> Can someone tell me the chord style
> that makes a Todd Rundgren song sound like
> a Todd Rundgren song?
> He does alot of chord changes then blends into a
> quick riff.
> Thanx for the help.
>
>
> --
> forgive them for they know not what they do!