MY EAR UNDERSTANDS, MY BRAIN DOESN'T

[sarahmiles77]

ok for the most part, i can figure out anything by ear....  but then i don't know the theory behind what i'm doing and i have a hard time applying it to other songs.  for example, if anybody's heard "if i ain't got you," unplugged, alicia does this one chord that's F Db Gb/Eb (i play that song one half step down)....  it sounds gorgeous but what the heck is it?  i want to be able to spice up any chord like that.  also, on smoky norful's song, I Need You Now, the keys are gorgeous....  what are they doing?  again, i can figure it out by ear but don't know how to apply it to other songs.

[sjonathan02]

ok for the most part, i can figure out anything by ear....  but then i don't know the theory behind what i'm doing and i have a hard time applying it to other songs.  for example, if anybody's heard "if i ain't got you," unplugged, alicia does this one chord that's F Db Gb/Eb (i play that song one half step down)....  it sounds gorgeous but what the heck is it?  i want to be able to spice up any chord like that.  also, on smoky norful's song, I Need You Now, the keys are gorgeous....  what are they doing?  again, i can figure it out by ear but don't know how to apply it to other songs.

To answer your question in theortical terms, your chord is called an Ebmin add 9.

As to understanding what folks are doing, you'll have to study theory, no other way around it. This way, you'll be able to apply your understanding to other songs or improvise on your own.


Hope this helps. Be Blessed
Jonathan

[T-Block]

Alicia Keys song "If I Ain' Got You" is full of major and minor 7th chords:

C / G-B-E = C major 7th
B / F#-A-D = B minor 7th
A / E-G-C = A minor 7th
G / D-F#-B = G major 7th

[beephlatPT]

that song 'Unbreakable" has some nice chords as well. you all should check it out if you haven't already:

AMaj7/B:    B/ A,Db,E,Ab
Ab7#5b9:       Ab/C,E,Gb,A
Dbmin:       Db/Db,E,Ab
Gb7add9 (Gb9):  Gb/ Bb, Db,E,Ab
Enjoy.

[sjonathan02]

that song 'Unbreakable" has some nice chords as well. you all should check it out if you haven't already:

AMaj7/B:    B/ A,Db,E,Ab
Ab7#5b9:       Ab/C,E,Gb,A
Dbmin:       Db/Db,E,Ab
Gb7add9 (Gb9):  Gb/ Bb, Db,E,Ab
Enjoy.

This progression, for those who didn't know, is similar a progression in Stevie Wonder's, "Isn't she lovely" during the "verse". Check it out.

[playhear]

Well, my brain understands, but my ears don't most times.

[HermD]

Well, my brain understands, but my ears don't most times.

Man I am the same way I know theory but my ears are taking long to develop