THANK YOU So Much for This. It is a Thrill to see an Academic take such a keen interest in Todd. I've been telling people since I was a kid: "In 100 years, they'll be studying Todd Rundgren in graduate school." So I guess there is still about 50-years to go. But; You got there first!
I had a dream many years ago about Utopia being discovered by a huge fanbase that found them many years later realizing how great they'd been & wondered why they had been shamefully overlooked, understanding how great all the member were (the classic 4 piece Todd, Roger, Kasim & Willie) and me thinking I'd be very proud to have been anyone of them even if not appreciated during my lifetime ! ...
Fascinating ! I know nothing about music theory but I've always known Todd is a genius. Great tutorial, very well explained. I think you're a natural born teacher!
I’ve seen the comment referencing Laura Nyro... and TR spent a lot of time listening to, and then working with Laura on one of her albums. I hear the direct influence in many of his songs.
Ari, you're amazing. Never seen anyone do this before with Todd's music - I've always thought it having been educated in music theory and piano. It's TRuly wizardly.
So glad that there are talented and *knowledgeable* people like you showing Rundgren's ridiculous, natural talent and EAR, putting together complex notes together that seem just a tiny "off" and yet absolutely perfect. To me? His complex chords seem to carry Todd's very own inner voice of melancholy from song to song although each song is unique. Despite his talent, you just *know* that he sometimes took forever to finalize what sounded right to him. It's perfectionism, not just talent and a unique ear. And he wrote without training. Honestly, it's just silly. His listeners: lucky! Thank you for this. Ever since I was a kid in the 70s, Todd's music just resonated in me but in a gentle, even fragile way, like Debussy.
Fabulous Ari, many thanks for this, very well explained. Goes some way to explaining our adoration of this genius. Saw him play this on a 12 string back in 1983 - jaw dropping!! Cheers, Alan
I can't even tell you how great this is for me. I'm a bass player and a 50 year fan of Todd. Thank you so much for this. Everyone has been so sad for so many months. This really lifted me up.
Great analysis! I like the excitement you show over using compound chords for harmonic resolution. I think of Doctor Wü by Steely Dan which is where I first figured these out.
_"what Todd does, he just takes it into a completely different universe"_ *PRE CISELY!* what initially attracted me to his Music, many eons ago..and Why I'm a lifetime fan of the man! He goes into stratospheres most barely approach (if ever!) unafraid to take risks beyond the conventional..what music should be about
I hear those G over C etc chords as major7 9 chords, great video. One of my favourite songs. I can't think of another artist that has a style of using chords that almost defines their music. 👍
You should also listen to Burt Bacharach and Laura Nyro. They also incorporated a lot of those diatonic minor 7s, slash chord, hybrid chord technique into much of their song writing. So did Richard Carpenter (of The Carpenters) but not always as jazzy as Bacharach and Nyro. Walk On By, I Say A Little Prayer, Stone Soul Picnic, Save The Country, Gonna Take A Miracle would be good examples. One night when you're home alone with nothing to do, dim the lights, pour a nice glass of red wine and play Reach Out, or New York Tendaberry or Eli and The 13th confession. You'll hear what I mean. F.Y.I. Shiraz is a good choice.
That Debussy hybrid chord narrative in his "base" probably stems from his childhood listening to show tunes from his parents. His Dad wasn't into Rock and Roll. Ironically this would probably make us love him as a rock and roll artist. "The truth is stranger than fiction"
More likely he mostly learnt them from Laura Nyro, who learnt them as a child listening to her mother play Debussy records. See the youtube of Todd discussing Nyro's songwriting influence on him. Nyro also profoundly influenced Steely Dan's chording.
See Nyro's track 'December's Boudoir' (1968), a harmonic treat. The detailed chords and tonal centres are shown under the 'lieber man' comment. Plenty of hybrid chords.
cool videos, I was learning about songwriting a lot at the same time as getting into Todd about ten years ago & the chords are a big part of that. Like building them up, A minor with F as bass, Fmaj7! Or, like you mentioned Amin7 with F as bass, just another added triad on top, makes Fmaj9! And so on. Keep up the good work, you pick out my favorite tunes. Of course "Too Far Gone" would be a worthy chord run-down for your series also! Best wishes.
Love your TR videos ! 2 questions..... I see the last time you uploaded one of these was four years ago. Do you ever plan on doing any more episodes in the near future ? My second question.... Is the song played in the intro to this video, an original composition ? I would love to hear the complete song, so I was wondering if you could tell me where to find it ? My friend Wendy has spoken highly of you so many times, so it was great to finally see these videos. Thanks and Take Care.
next up, Just One Victory - or how about In My Mouth which sounds like Kurt Weill ate a mushroom? great great video and the Emrson to thoreau analogy is deft - Laura Byro name-checked - wow you go girl
And bonus - Todd's lyrics involve poetic conceit, the colloquial, interior rhymes - take a dive from your ivory tower - & would justify equal analysis - at this standard!
If you use a clean piano sound instead of a church organ, the melody would be clearer. The organ sound has so much bleed (sustain) between chords, the changes aren't defined enough. At least over the internet they aren't.
First of all, it's in the key of E (not F). And second of all, you play the intro chords incorrectly. And, on the verse, the bass line is NOT descending on the second chord. I am a huge Todd fan and I love when folks cover his tunes, but the chords you play are not faithful to the original. If you like, I'm happy to teach you the tune -- note for note. :)
This is a wonderful analysis of one of the most creative song writers many are unaware of.
THANK YOU So Much for This. It is a Thrill to see an Academic take such a keen interest in Todd. I've been telling people since I was a kid: "In 100 years, they'll be studying Todd Rundgren in graduate school." So I guess there is still about 50-years to go. But; You got there first!
I had a dream many years ago about Utopia being discovered by a huge fanbase that found them many years later realizing how great they'd been & wondered why they had been shamefully overlooked, understanding how great all the member were (the classic 4 piece Todd, Roger, Kasim & Willie) and me thinking I'd be very proud to have been anyone of them even if not appreciated during my lifetime ! ...
Fascinating ! I know nothing about music theory but I've always known Todd is a genius. Great tutorial, very well explained. I think you're a natural born teacher!
I’ve seen the comment referencing Laura Nyro... and TR spent a lot of time listening to, and then working with Laura on one of her albums.
I hear the direct influence in many of his songs.
Ari, you're amazing. Never seen anyone do this before with Todd's music - I've always thought it having been educated in music theory and piano. It's TRuly wizardly.
Thank you from a common man. Park Service Aide, Miami. Fl. Bless
So glad that there are talented and *knowledgeable* people like you showing Rundgren's ridiculous, natural talent and EAR, putting together complex notes together that seem just a tiny "off" and yet absolutely perfect. To me? His complex chords seem to carry Todd's very own inner voice of melancholy from song to song although each song is unique. Despite his talent, you just *know* that he sometimes took forever to finalize what sounded right to him. It's perfectionism, not just talent and a unique ear. And he wrote without training. Honestly, it's just silly. His listeners: lucky! Thank you for this. Ever since I was a kid in the 70s, Todd's music just resonated in me but in a gentle, even fragile way, like Debussy.
Fabulous Ari, many thanks for this, very well explained. Goes some way to explaining our adoration of this genius. Saw him play this on a 12 string back in 1983 - jaw dropping!! Cheers, Alan
Thanks for that. I really like Todd;s harmonies, and you have really helped me understand what he is doing.
I can't even tell you how great this is for me. I'm a bass player and a 50 year fan of Todd. Thank you so much for this. Everyone has been so sad for so many months. This really lifted me up.
Ain't you just an adorable genius! Fabulous analysis. Fun and SUPER informative. Thanx!
..and added to youtube on his birthday..nice touch
Wow, this was an unexpected treat! You're a great teacher, Ari. Thanks!
Blessed to see this.
I stumbled upon this... Good to see you're still Todding it up!
Great analysis! I like the excitement you show over using compound chords for harmonic resolution. I think of Doctor Wü by Steely Dan which is where I first figured these out.
_"what Todd does, he just takes it into a completely different universe"_ *PRE CISELY!* what initially attracted me to his Music, many eons ago..and Why I'm a lifetime fan of the man! He goes into stratospheres most barely approach (if ever!) unafraid to take risks beyond the conventional..what music should be about
YES!
Totally with you on this Ari,its what makes TR so unique and musically interesting
Wonderful job, Ari! I always learn so much about the music when I watch your videos; please keep them coming!
one of my favourite Todd songs, well done! :-)
This is awesome! My fav TR tune. Love the analysis.
Still patiently awaiting a Lesson 4. ;-)
I hear those G over C etc chords as major7 9 chords, great video. One of my favourite songs. I can't think of another artist that has a style of using chords that almost defines their music. 👍
A real musician. Nice job...Am7 over F..love it!
Those chords are like a brain massage...
Love it, Ari!
Plus, you reminded me how much I love Apogee. Been a while since I've listened. 🎶🎼🎶
You should also listen to Burt Bacharach and Laura Nyro. They also incorporated a lot of those diatonic minor 7s, slash chord, hybrid chord technique into much of their song writing. So did Richard Carpenter (of The Carpenters) but not always as jazzy as Bacharach and Nyro. Walk On By, I Say A Little Prayer, Stone Soul Picnic, Save The Country, Gonna Take A Miracle would be good examples. One night when you're home alone with nothing to do, dim the lights, pour a nice glass of red wine and play Reach Out, or New York Tendaberry or Eli and The 13th confession. You'll hear what I mean. F.Y.I. Shiraz is a good choice.
Well aware- I actually wrote my graduate thesis on Laura’s music!
very nice , so many great musicians
well done and well explained
That Debussy hybrid chord narrative in his "base" probably stems from his childhood listening to show tunes from his parents. His Dad wasn't into Rock and Roll. Ironically this would probably make us love him as a rock and roll artist. "The truth is stranger than fiction"
More likely he mostly learnt them from Laura Nyro, who learnt them as a child listening to her mother play Debussy records. See the youtube of Todd discussing Nyro's songwriting influence on him. Nyro also profoundly influenced Steely Dan's chording.
See Nyro's track 'December's Boudoir' (1968), a harmonic treat. The detailed chords and tonal centres are shown under the 'lieber man' comment. Plenty of hybrid chords.
cool videos, I was learning about songwriting a lot at the same time as getting into Todd about ten years ago & the chords are a big part of that. Like building them up, A minor with F as bass, Fmaj7! Or, like you mentioned Amin7 with F as bass, just another added triad on top, makes Fmaj9! And so on. Keep up the good work, you pick out my favorite tunes. Of course "Too Far Gone" would be a worthy chord run-down for your series also! Best wishes.
Yes, yes, you got it! LOVE
Richard van Bemmelen ii
Love your TR videos !
2 questions.....
I see the last time you uploaded one of these was four years ago.
Do you ever plan on doing any more episodes in the near future ?
My second question....
Is the song played in the intro to this video, an original composition ?
I would love to hear the complete song, so I was wondering if you could tell me where to find it ?
My friend Wendy has spoken highly of you so many times, so it was great to finally see these videos.
Thanks and Take Care.
Influence of Bacharach and Sondheim and jazz composers. Todd knows his chords and composition. God bless him
cool lesson : )
This one is really good!
thank you very much I very apreciatte your passion for those compositions but how cant you make a connection to Brian wilson? :O
Reminder. Joni Mitchell used modal and "hybrid" chords in her early compositions.
Nice, I appreciate tutorial..
next up, Just One Victory - or how about In My Mouth which sounds like Kurt Weill ate a mushroom?
great great video and the Emrson to thoreau analogy is deft - Laura Byro name-checked - wow you go girl
Could you do a series on Bill Evans?! 🌹
One time I went to Todd's hotel room to ask him to show me how he plays these voicings on guitar. He basically kicked me out! Lol
And bonus - Todd's lyrics involve poetic conceit, the colloquial, interior rhymes - take a dive from your ivory tower - & would justify equal analysis - at this standard!
Love this, and I'm not a musician!
❤
If you use a clean piano sound instead of a church organ, the melody would be clearer. The organ sound has so much bleed (sustain) between chords, the changes aren't defined enough. At least over the internet they aren't.
You'd be great on a road trip..............................
I think it's in A Major? Sounds low.....
marty mandrell It doesn’t matter- regardless as to transpositions, the chordal relationships remain the same.
True........
First of all, it's in the key of E (not F). And second of all, you play the intro chords incorrectly. And, on the verse, the bass line is NOT descending on the second chord. I am a huge Todd fan and I love when folks cover his tunes, but the chords you play are not faithful to the original. If you like, I'm happy to teach you the tune -- note for note. :)