Why do Steely Dan songs sound so weird?

[jonny]

Can't Buy a Thrill

All time great rock album.

[Dennis S]

[quote troywellbuilt]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mu_major_chord
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A mu major chord (signified by μ is a somewhat unconventional name for an "add 2" or "add 9" chord. It is formed by adding a 2nd to a major triad; in other words, it is a chord constructed from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th degrees of the major scale. The mu major chord differs from a sus2 chord as a sus2 chord does not contain a 3rd.

Often, the mu major chord is voiced with the root (1) in the bass, and 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 1st in the upper register. Part of its "sound" is the presence of two "stacked" fourths in the upper register, between 2-5 and 5-1 (although this is softened by the presence of the major third). This stacked fourth's feature, also called "quartal" harmony, is more obvious when the mu major is voiced with the 3rd in the bass, and the 2nd, 5th and 1st above. The chord can also be voiced with the 9th (2nd) in the bass, although such voicings are generally known as "slash chords".

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Can someone give me the actual notes in a typical chord? I'm a bluegrasser and if it's not G, C or D, it sounds weird. (Maybe an Em every so often is OK)

[kj]

That's interesting. If you have a piano, just sit down and follow the directions you posted (play your c maj and add the 2nd, etc). If you're anything like me, that won't get you any closer to understanding Steely Dan, though. One way I've found to "study" songs is to find a GOOD (this is the trick) midi file of a song, and open it in garageband (or something else). I think even in garageband, you can switch it to "notation" view. Although the notation isn't quite right, it's usually good enough to get the gist, especially since you can listen too. I've learned a lot by doing this. However, I would have to say Donald Fagan (and steely dan) are probably pretty hard to transcribe, so even the best midi files I've found aren't quite right. It's still fun though. kj.

[Will Collier]

California tumbles into the sea
That'll be the day I go back to Annendale.


Hell of a band. I've caught their last few tours, and if you haven't, you've really missed out on something. Get the "Piano Jazz" CD, too.

[DP]

If you really want to understand, listen to Walter Becker's "Eleven Tracks of Wack". Balance that with Fagen and the blend of influences works that well. The only other combo like that was Lennon and McCartney from the standpoint that-of course it's my opinion-as solo artists I was disappointed but together, well...

[AllGold]

It sounds "weird" because it's more jazz than rock / pop / country which usually have more simplistic chord changes and harmonies?

[lafinfil]

and why the hell wasn't Skunk Baxter on that Rolling Stoned top 100 guitarist list !?!

[Effin Haole]

[quote lafinfil]and why the hell wasn't Skunk Baxter on that Rolling Stoned top 100 guitarist list !?!


It's Bush's fault, he hired Baxter to do intel on the war in Iraq/Afghanistan.

[lafinfil]

Yes - It is pretty funny to see him pop up as a defense analysts on various news shows
with his beret, aviator glasses, and droopy mustache talking about defense strategy -
which he fell into quite by accident. An interesting read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Baxter

[miK.]

Take my advice: Never do it without the fez on.