Music Lesson: Analyzing "Crying To Be Heard" by Traffic

Introduction

Today, we are going to take a closer look at a track called Crying To Be Heard by Traffic. If you're not familiar, the main figure in this band was Steve Winwood, who, as you might have guessed, is one of my favorite players. He's a great musician!

Overview of the Track

This track features very simple parts, but Steve Winwood makes excellent use of the instrument in terms of the sounds he chooses.

Song Structure

The song consists of two primary sections:

• Verse
• Chorus

Instrumentation

• Tone: Winwood uses a tone very close to what you hear using his organ, which may differ slightly, bass and treble-wise, when I play.
• Sounds: The overall approach predominantly features:
  • An eight-foot drill bar (the third one)
  • A little bit of bass

The Role of the Pedals

• The pedals contribute to the phrasing.
• You can hear them swell into a phrase and then come off just after the peak, creating a pulsing effect.

Chord Progressions

• Verse Chords:

  • A minor (Am)
  • D major
  • G minor (Gm)
  • C major (C)

• Sometimes, after the chorus, he incorporates the minor seven chords.

Contrasting Sounds

• The different chords create contrasting sounds which effectively utilize the instrument.

Additional Techniques

• Winwood occasionally throws in:
  • Minor nine chords
  • Palm slides to enhance the performance.

Note: The bass being played while using the pedal is simply to provide context; it isn't a necessary part of the chorus.

Chorus Breakdown

• Chorus Chords:
  • D major
  • E flat major
• Melody: The melody sits on top of these chords, moving to a nice S2.

Conclusion

In summary, "Crying To Be Heard" is a well-structured song that demonstrates how to get the most impact from the organ and create dynamic sounds with simple chord changes.