Lecture Notes: Analyzing and Playing Music in Different Keys

Introduction

• The speaker introduces a famous song, "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley.
• The speaker's friend, an Elvis impersonator, wants to sing the song in D major instead of B-flat major.

Importance of Musicianship

• To improve musicianship, one must learn to analyze music pieces.
• Focus on popular music (pop and rock) for analysis.
• Essential to understand major scales for musical analysis.
• Major scales are fundamental for true musicianship.

Major Scales

• Knowing major scales is critical.
• Example:
  • F-sharp major scale
  • A major scale
• The ability to quickly identify scales helps in musical discussions and performance.

Using Manuscript Paper

• The speaker uses "The Musician's Notebook" for organization.
• The notebook has lined pages and staff paper for efficient note-taking.

Step-by-Step Analysis

Example Key: B-flat Major

1. Write out the notes of the B-flat major scale.
2. Create triads for each scale degree:
   • Bb major (I)
   • C minor (ii)
   • D minor (iii)
   • Eb major (IV)
   • F major (V)
   • G minor (vi)
   • A diminished (vii°)

Chord Progression for "Can't Help Falling in Love"

• Example chords played:
  • B-flat major (I)
  • D minor (iii)
  • G minor (vi)
  • E-flat major (IV)
  • F major (V)
  • G minor (vi)
• Use Roman numerals to represent chords:
  • I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°
• Analyzing the bridge:
  • D minor (iii)
  • A minor (ii)

Transitioning to D Major

Key: D Major

1. Write out the D major scale.
2. Identify chords:
   • D major (I)
   • F-sharp minor (iii)
   • B minor (vi)
   • G major (IV)
   • A major (V)
   • C-sharp minor (ii)
3. Chord progression in D:
   • F-sharp minor, A minor, B minor, C-sharp minor, G major, D major, etc.

Concept of Roman Numeral Analysis

• Helps to play music in any key efficiently.
• Useful for Nashville musicians who use a similar number system.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to analyze songs and play in different keys.
• Recommendation to use "The Musician's Notebook" for organization in music study.
• Final thoughts on improving musicianship through analysis and practice.