The Analysis of One Summer’s Day
One Summer’s Day contains two main melodies—A and B. • This composition uses the technique of thematic transformation— introduction, A, bridge, B, A1, B1, A2, and the ending. • It has ninety-three measures. • The tempo is quarter note = 80. • The whole composition is approximately 5.40 minutes in length
Introduction (1-4):
Let’s look at the introduction first. The introduction starts with 4 chords. FMaj9, Em7b6, D
and C# quartal chords. The first chord uses a 5th interval. F to C, C to G, G to D, D to A and A
to E. Then the second chord is a fifth interval from E to B and a fourth interval from D to G, G
to E. The 3rd and 4th chords after that are what we call quartal chords.
Section A(6-13):
Melody is created using scale and repetition techniques. The use of quartal chords
appears. It consists of A6 and P4 intervals:
Section A (14-21):
Fmaj7b5 – G7 (dominant of the C scale) – C6/9 – Dm7 – C/E – Fm7 – G7b9 – G13b9 Normally
in the key of C, but the last part of the IVth degree changes the ivth minor. The technique is
called mixture. Borrowing the parallel minor of C major.
Section B (22-25):
Fmaj9 – E7#9 – Am – Gm7 – C7 – Fmaj9 – E7#9 – Am. E7 function is a dominant to A minor
(V7 – I) and Gm7 – C7 to Fmaj9 (ii – V7 – I) we are in the key of F but still on the key of C on the grand scale.
Section B (26-29):
D9 – G13sus – D9 – G13sus
In G: V9 – I13sus-V9-I13sus
In C: II9-V13sus-II9-V13sus
If we look at the degrees in both the G key and the C key, the relationship is like this.
Section C (31-40) :
The relationship of chords related to chromaticity in this section
Am – Gadd6 – F – C/E –
In C: vi – V – IV – iii
There is a downward movement in key C. And then these chords,
Cm/Eb – Bb/D
In Bb: ii- i
These chords correspond to degrees ii and I in the key of Bb.
Then Db9#11- G7 comes bII7 connecting to V7. Tritone away from each other.
Am – Gadd6 – F – C/E – Cm/Eb – Bb/D – Bbm/Db – C7#5 – Fm
Bbm – C7 – Fm. On Fm: iv-V7-I. Fm – Ab
/Eb – Dm7b6 – Sol – Fmaj7b5.
F minor to D minor ii-V-I cadence
