cathulu -> Rumba - thoughts on Gypsy Kings Inspiration (Aug. 27 2010 5:01:30)
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Hmmm, so I was thinking about the structure and format of the Gypsy Kings’ Rumba Inspiration – Why is this such a good instrumental? So I tried a simple analysis using my puny brain and was wondering what anyone else could add or thoughts on why this Rumba is so good... Key of Em – second fret but the music was sped up a bit. Theme A (Opening) Starts on an Em9 chord (E,B, F#, G, B), then moves with the high G and B strings as pedal tones to a Gmaj7 chord. Nice! Sounds so good, gets the feet tapping, and so they do it twice. This sets the opening for the piece and creates tension in the listener… Is that because Gmajor and Em are relative – not sure but it is cool. Theme B OK, then we get the next Theme B which moves through the chords Em, F#, Am, B7. This is also played twice. Theme B is an introduction to the melody section and appears again later in the piece as a break. Melody A Then, the first series of melodies, played over Em, Am7, D7, G, C, Am7 and B7 chords. This series of melodies goes as high as the 5th fret on the high e string. Note that the Em chord includes an additional half measure to start the melody throughout this series of melodies. The melody over the first and second cycle of chords is very similar, the third time around is different, played lower down the octave and they rarely touch the high b and e string. Anyways, thinking in threes is very natural for the human brain, and the melody closes off for a rest back to … Theme B – a break before Melody B. Melody B Now we start the second series of melody, and this is interesting because after the first cycle of chords, the extra ½ measure with the Em chord disappears. We don’t need any more introduction because the melody continues without a break although there is still a bit of repetition in the melody. This melody goes higher up the neck to 12th fret on the high e string. Also interesting is the melody continues through 4 cycles through the chords, whereas before there was only 3. Closing Time Then we get to the ending figure, and the melody chords are played in cut time twice through, although the Em chord each time it is played has 4 beats instead of the 2 beat cut time for the other chords. This significantly changes the feel of the piece, and we are rushed to a very satisfying end. I guess the interesting part to me is that the structure of the piece provides a lot of interest and variety, let alone what is happening in the melody! Any contributions or further thoughts to add? I wonder if this is the Gypsy Kings most complicated structure for a Rumba and how they came-up with it?
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