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Thread started 09/20/14 7:28pm

NewYorkCity

FUNKNROLL musically analyzed

I found the below part on YouTube:

This is why I enjoy Prince so much - his attention to detail. I've musically analyzed his newly released song so others might appreciate his work. Other than Trent Reznor, there's no other musical artist that regularly does this meticulous stuff:
00:00-00:18 - Saturated, he breaks-up chords by playing the chord's individual triads in 4/4 time on guitar.
00:19-00:29 - Switches to 2/2 time and introduces a distinct sound as 16th notes.
00:30-00:38 - Introduces another sound as long triplets.
00:39-00:49 - Introduces continual hiss from right to left, sings alone.
00:50-00:58 - Introduces his additional voice as harmony.
00:59-1:07 - Removes most but him and his vocal harmony.
1:08-1:17 - The busiest part of the Funk part of the song.
*1:18-1:28 - The only 8 measures (in cut time) of obvious bass in the entire song.
--(repeat 00:59-1:17)--
1:58-2:06 - Introduces his voice as a counter-melody, along with only the left to right hiss.
2:07-2:08 - The long triplets re-appear.
--(repeat 00:59-1:17)--
2:36-2:54 - Reprises saturated triads on guitar from 4/4 time applied to 2/2 time.
2:55-4:07 - Downbeats switched to upbeats. All chords played by the intro guitar are used in synthesizers.
Funk N Roll, musically analyzed by Miguel Novoa

[Edited 9/20/14 20:32pm]

[Edited 9/21/14 6:06am]

[Edited 9/21/14 6:07am]

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Reply #1 posted 09/20/14 8:04pm

bashraka

NewYorkCity said:

I found this on YouTube:

This is why I enjoy Prince so much - his attention to detail. I've musically analyzed his newly released song so others might appreciate his work. Other than Trent Reznor, there's no other musical artist that regularly does this meticulous stuff:
00:00-00:18 - Saturated, he breaks-up chords by playing the chord's individual triads in 4/4 time on guitar.
00:19-00:29 - Switches to 2/2 time and introduces a distinct sound as 16th notes.
00:30-00:38 - Introduces another sound as long triplets.
00:39-00:49 - Introduces continual hiss from right to left, sings alone.
00:50-00:58 - Introduces his additional voice as harmony.
00:59-1:07 - Removes most but him and his vocal harmony.
1:08-1:17 - The busiest part of the Funk part of the song.
*1:18-1:28 - The only 8 measures (in cut time) of obvious bass in the entire song.
--(repeat 00:59-1:17)--
1:58-2:06 - Introduces his voice as a counter-melody, along with only the left to right hiss.
2:07-2:08 - The long triplets re-appear.
--(repeat 00:59-1:17)--
2:36-2:54 - Reprises saturated triads on guitar from 4/4 time applied to 2/2 time.
2:55-4:07 - Downbeats switched to upbeats. All chords played by the intro guitar are used in synthesizers.
Funk N Roll, musically analyzed by Miguel Novoa

Great find! This is what I call musicology. Although I'm not crazy about the remix, this does show layman the musical elements of studio production.

3121 #1 THIS YEAR
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Reply #2 posted 09/20/14 8:42pm

popgodazipa

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Respect!

1 over Jordan...the greatest since
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Reply #3 posted 09/20/14 9:00pm

funksterr

This is also why I don't like the song, from the little I've heard of it. Too much fidiling with the knobs, and rapidfire changes, but not enough good music. In fairness though that is kind of a trend right now, so at least Prince isn't behind the times in terms of the production side. But the whole 'no curse let's make a mildly uppity skate party record' mindset kills this thing no matter how many elements they switchup during productiuon.

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Reply #4 posted 09/21/14 2:09am

ufoclub

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So what is the music he's quoting with that intro of the almost television show type theme? It's a great bit of musical humor.

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Reply #5 posted 09/21/14 2:30am

pray4rain

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Fantastic post! Much appreciated.

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Reply #6 posted 09/21/14 4:05am

TheEnglishGent

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NewYorkCity said:

I found this on YouTube:

This is why I enjoy Prince so much - his attention to detail. I've musically analyzed his newly released song so others might appreciate his work. Other than Trent Reznor, there's no other musical artist that regularly does this meticulous stuff:

Musically analysed? You've described the song and what it's doing but everything you've said I can hear for myself and I'm about as musical as a cowbell. I guess at least deaf people can also know the shit parts now.

RIP sad
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Reply #7 posted 09/21/14 4:09am

Aerogram

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funksterr said:

This is also why I don't like the song, from the little I've heard of it. Too much fidiling with the knobs, and rapidfire changes, but not enough good music. In fairness though that is kind of a trend right now, so at least Prince isn't behind the times in terms of the production side. But the whole 'no curse let's make a mildly uppity skate party record' mindset kills this thing no matter how many elements they switchup during productiuon.

Why feel the need to express an opinion on something you've heard little of?

Does it sound right to say...

"From the little I've seen of Citizen Kane, it's wildly overrated."

?

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Reply #8 posted 09/21/14 4:56am

Aerogram

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ufoclub said:

So what is the music he's quoting with that intro of the almost television show type theme? It's a great bit of musical humor.

As soon as I heard that part in the Arsenio performance. I recognized something from one of his past songs, modified but with the same daaa dadadadaaa daaaa -- I can't figure out which song yet because it's such a small part he's adapting and repeating but in any case, it sounded instantly familiar.

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Reply #9 posted 09/21/14 6:05am

NewYorkCity

TheEnglishGent said:

I did not describe it. I found it on YouTube.

NewYorkCity said:

I found this on YouTube:

This is why I enjoy Prince so much - his attention to detail. I've musically analyzed his newly released song so others might appreciate his work. Other than Trent Reznor, there's no other musical artist that regularly does this meticulous stuff:

Musically analysed? You've described the song and what it's doing but everything you've said I can hear for myself and I'm about as musical as a cowbell. I guess at least deaf people can also know the shit parts now.

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Reply #10 posted 09/21/14 9:38am

ufoclub

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Aerogram said:

ufoclub said:

So what is the music he's quoting with that intro of the almost television show type theme? It's a great bit of musical humor.

As soon as I heard that part in the Arsenio performance. I recognized something from one of his past songs, modified but with the same daaa dadadadaaa daaaa -- I can't figure out which song yet because it's such a small part he's adapting and repeating but in any case, it sounded instantly familiar.

I think it's something older than his own music. Maybe a music app could identify it!

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Reply #11 posted 09/21/14 9:41am

Rich

TheEnglishGent said:

NewYorkCity said:

I found this on YouTube:

This is why I enjoy Prince so much - his attention to detail. I've musically analyzed his newly released song so others might appreciate his work. Other than Trent Reznor, there's no other musical artist that regularly does this meticulous stuff:

Musically analysed? You've described the song and what it's doing but everything you've said I can hear for myself and I'm about as musical as a cowbell. I guess at least deaf people can also know the shit parts now.

LOL exactly

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Reply #12 posted 09/21/14 10:21am

TheEnglishGent

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NewYorkCity said:

TheEnglishGent said:

Musically analysed? You've described the song and what it's doing but everything you've said I can hear for myself and I'm about as musical as a cowbell. I guess at least deaf people can also know the shit parts now.

I did not describe it. I found it on YouTube.

Ah cool, missed that bit smile

RIP sad
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Reply #13 posted 09/21/14 10:25am

funksterr

Aerogram said:

funksterr said:

This is also why I don't like the song, from the little I've heard of it. Too much fidiling with the knobs, and rapidfire changes, but not enough good music. In fairness though that is kind of a trend right now, so at least Prince isn't behind the times in terms of the production side. But the whole 'no curse let's make a mildly uppity skate party record' mindset kills this thing no matter how many elements they switchup during productiuon.

Why feel the need to express an opinion on something you've heard little of?

Does it sound right to say...

"From the little I've seen of Citizen Kane, it's wildly overrated."

?

Pop and rock songs repeat the same information over and over. You don't need to listen to the entire song to develop a reasonably accurate understanding of what's going on with it and decide if you are interested in it or not. I kind of dislike Funknroll from what little I've heard of it. I already said why: too many production tricks, not enough song, and snotty-sassy-man lyrics. I may like it better in time, but that's my initial impression. That's fair enough in a thread where the original post features a second by second analysis of the production elements of a song.

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Reply #14 posted 09/21/14 10:42am

funkomatic

Musically analyzed? Very superficial and in parts even wrong!

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Reply #15 posted 09/21/14 12:35pm

novabrkr

I was starting to think I was alone with such sentiments lol

"All chords played by the intro guitar are used in synthesizers.", uhm? What is that supposed to mean?

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Reply #16 posted 09/21/14 12:53pm

Aerogram

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funksterr said:

Aerogram said:

Why feel the need to express an opinion on something you've heard little of?

Does it sound right to say...

"From the little I've seen of Citizen Kane, it's wildly overrated."

?

Pop and rock songs repeat the same information over and over. You don't need to listen to the entire song to develop a reasonably accurate understanding of what's going on with it and decide if you are interested in it or not. I kind of dislike Funknroll from what little I've heard of it. I already said why: too many production tricks, not enough song, and snotty-sassy-man lyrics. I may like it better in time, but that's my initial impression. That's fair enough in a thread where the original post features a second by second analysis of the production elements of a song.

It's much better to assess fully than make a snap judgment based on a few bars, sorry.

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Reply #17 posted 09/21/14 12:56pm

Aerogram

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funkomatic said:

Musically analyzed? Very superficial and in parts even wrong!

Why not contribute with your own detailed breakdown?

I think some folks are being a bit pedantic here. The guy on YouTube did not mean to post a full analysis, he only gave an idea of the structure. People that are supposed to know about musicology should see that instead of being dismissive.

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Reply #18 posted 09/22/14 9:51am

3rdeyedude

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just like the chipmunk voice in Breakfast Can Wait and the laser beams in The Breakdown.......this song has what sounds like a dripping water fawcett that annoys the shit out of me

man, what the fuck is happening to Prince?

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Reply #19 posted 09/22/14 1:47pm

funkomatic

Aerogram said:

funkomatic said:

Musically analyzed? Very superficial and in parts even wrong!

Why not contribute with your own detailed breakdown?

I think some folks are being a bit pedantic here. The guy on YouTube did not mean to post a full analysis, he only gave an idea of the structure. People that are supposed to know about musicology should see that instead of being dismissive.

Sorry, but this and so many other Prince tracks of the last decades are just not worth the effort anymore.

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Reply #20 posted 09/22/14 3:32pm

NewYorkCity

Submarine effect.

3rdeyedude said:

just like the chipmunk voice in Breakfast Can Wait and the laser beams in The Breakdown.......this song has what sounds like a dripping water fawcett that annoys the shit out of me

man, what the fuck is happening to Prince?

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Reply #21 posted 09/22/14 3:43pm

larksanders

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I assume you're talking about the remix. Personally I like the 3rdEyeGirl version better, it just has more energy (and I haven't been too high on the 3EG stuff). The remix is cool tho, I'm telling you P found some inspiration. I'm glad he's getting back to studio tricks instead of getting out fast songs.

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