Re: Yet Another Key Question

js wrote:
why do I punish myself with these threads?...

Because you like teaching. As annoying as they might be, I'm sure I'm not the only one who gets something out of it. Beats the hell out of arguing about gun control, doesn't it?

The first section is definitely MODAL. Because of the chord progression (Am
D Em) it looks like ii V vi in G. However it has nothing to do with G major;
none of the chords function as if they were in G at all. A's own "dominant"
is minor instead of major, so it's not even then key of "A minor". I'd say
it's just A Dorian.

It seems like others are saying similar things. That explanation in the context of this song has given me a better understanding of modes. Most of what I have read about modes has been too "mechanical" for lack of a better term.

The second section has a clearly defend progression to which I'm sure we
could argue endlessly over whether it' in D ort G a la Sweet Home Alabama.
However, D sounds more like the "home" chord to me, so I'm gonna go with
that. I'm sure there are multiple other arguments.

LOL. Fair enough. FWIW I agree with your assessment.

So yeah, even though they have a lot in common, the flavors of the 2
sections are very different because of the roots.

That's what really intrigued me about this song in particular.
.