I'm confused on the one-instrument deal... especially if we're supposed to replace the bass and drums. That kinda shoves people into using a synth, short of using something else and torquing the audio into unholy shapes and sizes. I feel like I'm missing something...

 

It's just a bassline with a few notes, so to speak of a tonal center maybe is a bit premature. But for the fun of analyzing, many options are still available. If we were to over analyze this, in my opinion A major would be the most obvious key.

Next to E being the V of A, the line E-F#-G pulls you towards A (V-bVII-I resolution). You could really tonicize this by incorporating the perfect cadence E7 -> A.
But what about the G, I hear you ask? Well, in a lot of pop/rock music, the vii is flattened (borrowed from the parallel minor you could say), so you could look at the G as a bVII. Why? Some would argue a vii has too much harmonic motion.

But as I said, it's just some bass notes. Everything is still on the table. E minor is possible, just apply the same trick: perfect cadence V - I resolution (B7 - Em) and boom, e minor is the tonal center. Or you could make A minor the tonal center, by going E7 - Am. The F# won't give you any trouble, it's just a passing note. Hell E major is even still on the table!

 

Seems to be a fair amount of confusion over what the challenge is ???
Maybe i was too simplistic but i read it as just taking @No Avenger 's drum and bass file as is and played my piano part to fit with it, saved my stem and sent it in...... I wasn't confused till i read other people's confusion

 

Why confused? You can play along it with guitar, or cowbell or triangle, or body percussion, church organ, Hammond, timpani, or whatever you want. Or you can replace the bass or the drums. One track, instrument and style of choice. Don't overthink it.

 

Nope, you was not. You've mastered the challenge in an exemplary manner.

 

I'm not sure why there is confusion here. The task is clearly worded. The progression is as simple as it can be.

E min
iv - i - iv - i ||
iv - i - VII - i ||
iv - i - iv - i ||
iv - i - VII - i ii III ||

 

It's like a little metaphor for... well, everything, really.

 

Agree. It's the nature of the music beast
Ok, what I just recorded is so dissonant that it wont fit any conventional shit anyway (purposely ofc!)

Yeah, that was my idea too... I'm so happy you got the green light. Now just lemme export the stem in the right MHz/Gb format and send it to the Judge.*

Who's overthinking? ...

*sent

 

wow no avenger you are a true musical genius !

 

I played harmonica

 

I can't wait until you all hear my dog whistle.

 

My man, you have no idea. I keep myself awake at night, tirelessly thinking of ways not to overthink shit.

Seems I've found an instructor in the ways of not over-analyzing everything to Hell 'n back... twice-over.

 

I'm confused, @No Avenger —how am I supposed to play the "F" in numerical form, as cited in "e, f#, g, a, b, c, d"? And do I have to play all the notes in lowercase form, or can I capitalize them? And where's the ghatdam "H"?!?!

 

I could've guessed that'd be your weapon of choice.
I keep telling people "Nah, that Crinkle-guy there? That's his *actual photo." But does anybody listen?

 

Check your PM, @No Avenger

 

This is so close to a disagree.

What?

Strange, that should've worked.

 

This is quite interesting. I don't know what is going on what it going to happen but I am very excited to find out.

 

Me too.

 

Oh, come on! Don't you have any trust in the community? I mean:

What could possibly go wrong?

 

Last edited: Oct 10, 2023