For Wed 4/17: Analyzing an "Amazing Grace" arrangement

As I explained in class, for Wednesday you are taking the first steps in doing a harmonic analysis (i.e., figure out and labeling the chords) of a fully written-out piece.  In this case, it's an arrangement of "Amazing Grace."  If you weren't in class, or misplaced your copy, it's available here.

In this case, many of the chords are not written as tightly-packed, or "closed position," triads and seventh chords; most of the time they are more spread out, in what music theory people call "open" position. They use the same notes, but they are just spread out.

In the chords which are based on triads but have four notes, one note of the triad is doubled. In the very first chord, for example, there are two Gs in the bass clef part (which would be played with the left hand by a keyboard player).  It's a G chord, so we say "the root is doubled."

Here's an explanation of close(d) and open position chords:

Your tasks:

On the "Amazing Grace" arrangement,

1) Write the pop chord symbols above the treble-clef staff: Determine what each chord is, and write the pop chord symbol above the treble clef.  When the chord changes, write a new symbol.  If only the spacing changes, you don't need to write a new symbol.  if the inversion changes, write a new symbol, using a slash chord as necessary.

2) Write in the Roman numerals below the bass-clef staff.  You'll have already determined the root of each chord.  Under the bass-clef staff, write the Roman numeral that corresponds to the scale degree of the root of the chord.  Watch the video for clarification.

Watch this if you are confused: