Outstanding job, I’ve been waiting years for someone to figure this out accurately. Just thought I’d check back after the tune came up on my shuffle playlist. Can’t wait to get home and get this down. You’re a star👍👍
I used to play this years ago with a great old friend of mine on the rare occasion I picked up a guitar. I’m generally a drummer so made the rhythm easy to get I think. Nice to see it broken down. Great tune.
Sorry, D-sharp major six on the final 'farm' in the middle section, just before 'and it's breaking my back'; I played the correct chord, just gave it the wrong name. Also, near the end of the middle section the harmony changes from EM to EM7 on 'well' (in 'the only job I do well'). Again, I played right on the guitar bit-such are the perils of single takes!
It was a lockdown purchase from me to me, for my birthday. I really wanted a large acoustic arch top, but bought this one without first playing it (!). It is an Epiphone Masterbuilt Zenith, it's not as big as I first wanted, but having played it for a couple of years, I really like it. It has a wonderful neck. You'll have to hunt for one on Ebay (there is one now, for £600).
This song is my mission for the year. Along with several others. Don't know how much time i or any of us have so im going out doing something cool. Also, it great to see the comments where the scale mode is in question, i learn from those too. And, im proud to be subscriber # 45
Bravo! I’ve been torturing myself over the middle section of this tune for years - I’d figured out some of it and you’ve now filled in the remainder (and validated the rest). Many thanks!
I think of the Major Seventh interval and chord as being sort of a "cousin" of the Locrian mode - the mode which is most frequently described as "unstable" or even "wrong" sounding. Before you write me off as totally insane, consider the fact that the Locrian scale begins on the note one half-step below the tonic. There is something inherently unstable about the major seventh chord, but the shorter the measure in relation to the rest of the chord progression, the less noticeable it is. When the chord is lingered on and sustained out, and especially if the vocal also draws out the seventh, it does sound somewhat "weird", as you describe it. What sounds even weirder is when the seventh is placed at the bottom rather than at the top of the inversion, i.e. the seventh degree is played by the lowest string of the guitar. Weirder still is to delegate the seventh to the bassist and have the guitarist simply play a major chord. If you're playing an E major chord and I'm blasting out a low D# (say, if I've detuned the E string a half step) it's technically a major seventh chord, but it will sound extremely unsettling.
A really interesting way to think about it. I think I'm probably guilty of trying to make major/minor (key) sense of music with a different harmonic concept.
Outstanding job, I’ve been waiting years for someone to figure this out accurately. Just thought I’d check back after the tune came up on my shuffle playlist. Can’t wait to get home and get this down. You’re a star👍👍
Brilliant, mate!! Very straight forward and to the point! Thanks ☺️
I used to play this years ago with a great old friend of mine on the rare occasion I picked up a guitar. I’m generally a drummer so made the rhythm easy to get I think. Nice to see it broken down. Great tune.
Well you’ve answered all the questions I’ve been carrying in my head for years. Thank you.
Wow, thanks for this video. It's just fantastic. I've been trying to understand this song for years! 😊
Nice tutorial of one of Andy Partridge's most wonderful songs !
Sorry, D-sharp major six on the final 'farm' in the middle section, just before 'and it's breaking my back'; I played the correct chord, just gave it the wrong name. Also, near the end of the middle section the harmony changes from EM to EM7 on 'well' (in 'the only job I do well'). Again, I played right on the guitar bit-such are the perils of single takes!
i don't even play the guitar but this is fun to watch - thanks!
Dude, absolutely brilliant and you seem like a top chap, too. Wish I lived in Kent so I could take lessons. Well done!
Love this but would you mind telling me about that beautiful guitar? Epiphone doesn't seem yo make that model anymore.
It was a lockdown purchase from me to me, for my birthday. I really wanted a large acoustic arch top, but bought this one without first playing it (!). It is an Epiphone Masterbuilt Zenith, it's not as big as I first wanted, but having played it for a couple of years, I really like it. It has a wonderful neck. You'll have to hunt for one on Ebay (there is one now, for £600).
Thank you!!! That blasted beautiful middle section has now been sorted thanks to you!!
You're a good person.
This song is my mission for the year.
Along with several others.
Don't know how much time i or any of us have so im going out doing something cool.
Also, it great to see the comments where the scale mode is in question, i learn from those too.
And, im proud to be subscriber # 45
Aha! This is also a project song for me, this helps heaps thanks!
Bravo! I’ve been torturing myself over the middle section of this tune for years - I’d figured out some of it and you’ve now filled in the remainder (and validated the rest). Many thanks!
Thanks Dave! I was in the same boat for years. Lockdown forced my hand, as it were. Hopefully I’ll upload a few other XTC tunes before too long.
Hey Dave! Just found this and see you beat me to it. Fantastic tutorial and thanks!
I think of the Major Seventh interval and chord as being sort of a "cousin" of the Locrian mode - the mode which is most frequently described as "unstable" or even "wrong" sounding. Before you write me off as totally insane, consider the fact that the Locrian scale begins on the note one half-step below the tonic. There is something inherently unstable about the major seventh chord, but the shorter the measure in relation to the rest of the chord progression, the less noticeable it is. When the chord is lingered on and sustained out, and especially if the vocal also draws out the seventh, it does sound somewhat "weird", as you describe it. What sounds even weirder is when the seventh is placed at the bottom rather than at the top of the inversion, i.e. the seventh degree is played by the lowest string of the guitar. Weirder still is to delegate the seventh to the bassist and have the guitarist simply play a major chord. If you're playing an E major chord and I'm blasting out a low D# (say, if I've detuned the E string a half step) it's technically a major seventh chord, but it will sound extremely unsettling.
A really interesting way to think about it. I think I'm probably guilty of trying to make major/minor (key) sense of music with a different harmonic concept.
Andy’s brother, Robert. Nice!
And the Oscar goes to Robert!!!!!
You lost me after 'EASY'
mate fantastic stuff
Fab! Thanks Robert!
You’ve done it!
Bravo!!! Now Do Desert Island :)
Good idea! I have a pile of XTC songs ready to go… just need some time to make the videos!
Wow! :-)
Cool
Would that I could...
Easy right? Nooo....