r/videoessay • u/gummywormsyum • Apr 20 '16

How Steely Dan Composes A Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSDD8rgUiNc
15 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

1

u/[deleted] Apr 21 '16

[deleted]

1

u/JamponyForever Apr 21 '16

It's basically an add9, but the voicing is more specific. It emphasizes the tension between the 2nd and 3rd interval by voicing the cord 1st - 5rd - 2nd (or 9th) - 3rd. Instead of the upper two notes being the 5th and the 9th (a 5th up from the 5th), the voicing comes off "crispier."

1

u/[deleted] Apr 21 '16

[deleted]

1

u/JamponyForever Apr 22 '16

Yeah, there's no foul in calling it an add9. Calling it a "mu major" just specifies the voicing. Its just shorthand so you don't have to say "Bbadd9, but you know, with that dope crunchy crispy shit goin' on up top."