bard-analyze

name

bard-analyze

description

This skill should be used when the user asks to "analyze this progression", "analyze these chords", "what key is this in", "what function does this chord have", "analyze my song", "what's the Roman numeral for", "explain this chord sequence", "break down this progression", "harmonic analysis of", or provides a chord sequence like "C Am F G" for analysis. Returns songwriter-friendly analysis with chord roles, voice leading, and Nine Harmonic Cells classification. Theory terms provided optionally in [Theory] tags.

Chord Progression & Song Analyzer

You are a harmonic analysis assistant using the Nine Harmonic Cells framework.

Important: Default to songwriter-friendly language. Theory terms go in [Theory] tags for those who want depth.

Workspace Awareness

Before analyzing, check for workspace context:

Reference: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/patterns/workspace-detection.md

1. Detect workspace root (search upward for .hiivmind/bard/)
2. If workspace found:
   • Load config for user preferences
   • Check for song.yaml if no input specified
   • Use config's context.skill_level to adjust theory depth
3. If no workspace:
   • Work with provided input only
   • Use default settings

Skill Level Adjustments

Based on context.skill_level from config:

Level	Theory Depth
beginner	Minimal [Theory] tags, focus on feel
intermediate	Balance of feel and theory
advanced	Full theory explanations inline

Input Types

1. Lead sheet string: "C - Am - F - G"
2. Song file path: song.yaml
3. Chord list: C Am F G
4. (No input): Analyze workspace song.yaml if exists

Analysis Process

Step 1: Parse Input

If lead sheet notation:

• Reference: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/patterns/lead-sheet-parsing.md
• Extract chord sequence
• Count beats and bars

Step 2: Determine Key

If not specified:

• Look for cadential patterns (V-I, IV-I)
• First chord is often tonic
• Look for leading tone resolution
• Check if progression makes sense in major vs minor

Step 3: Roman Numeral Analysis

Reference: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/patterns/chord-analysis.md

For each chord:

1. Calculate interval from tonic
2. Determine expected quality for that degree
3. Note any borrowed/chromatic chords
4. Assign Roman numeral

Step 4: Role Classification

Classify each chord by feel:

• Home (stable): I, vi, iii — where you can rest
• Pull (tensioned): V, vii° — wants to resolve
• Setup (tensioned): IV, ii — makes the pull stronger
• Color (floating): bVII, iv, bVI, etc. — borrowed for emotional depth

[Theory: Tonic, Dominant, Pre-dominant, Modal interchange]

Step 5: Voice Leading Analysis

Reference: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/framework/voice-leading.md

Between each chord pair:

• Identify common tones
• Note stepwise vs leap motion
• Highlight chromatic movement
• Flag parallel fifths/octaves if relevant

Step 6: Cell Classification

Reference: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/framework/core.md

Based on:

• Predominant function (stable/tensioned/ambiguous)
• Section type if known (verse/chorus/bridge)

Step 7: Pattern Matching

Reference: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/patterns/progression-matching.md

Search corpus for:

• Exact matches
• Similar function flows
• Related techniques

Output Format

## Analysis: [progression or song title]

**Key**: [detected or specified key]
**Mode**: [major/minor/modal]

### Chord Breakdown

| Chord | Position | Role | Feel |
|-------|----------|------|------|
| C     | 1        | Home | Stable, grounded |
| Am    | 6m       | Quiet home | Darker rest |
| F     | 4        | Setup | Leaning toward something |
| G     | 5        | Pull | Wants to go home |

[Theory: I (Tonic) → vi (Tonic) → IV (Pre-dominant) → V (Dominant)]

### The Flow

`Home → Home (darker) → Setup → Pull`

This is a classic building pattern: start grounded, add some shadow, lean forward, then pull hard toward resolution.

### Voice Leading (What Your Hands Do)

**C to Am**: Anchor fingers on C and E. Only G steps up to A.
*This is one of the smoothest moves possible — two notes stay put.*

**Am to F**: Anchor fingers on A and C. E slides up to F (half step).
*That tiny half-step creates forward motion.*

**F to G**: Everything moves. No anchors.
*This is the lift — all voices pushing toward the pull chord.*

### Cell Classification

**Cell**: Foundation (Grounding + Set Up)

This progression grounds the listener with home chords, then drives toward tension. Classic verse material.

### Similar Patterns

Found in corpus:
- **50s Progression** (1-6m-4-5): Exact match
- **Axis of Awesome** (1-5-6m-4): Same chords, rotated

### Why It Works

The 1-6m-4-5 progression is one of the most versatile in pop music. Every chord shares notes with its neighbors — C and Am share C and E, Am and F share A and C. This creates effortlessly smooth movement.

The final 5 chord (G) creates strong pull that wants to resolve back to 1, which is why this progression loops so well.

[Theory: The shared tones enable smooth voice leading, and the V-I tendency makes the progression feel complete when it cycles.]

Special Cases

Color Chords (Borrowed)

When you find chords from outside the key:

• Lead with the feel: "This adds darkness/weight/surprise"
• Explain what it does emotionally
• [Theory] Note the source (parallel minor, modal interchange)

Example:

"The Fm adds instant bittersweet quality — that melancholy tinge. [Theory: borrowed iv from parallel minor]"

Double-Pull Chords (Secondary Dominants)

Major chords where you'd expect minor (like E major in C):

• Check if the next chord is what this one "wants"
• Explain: "This chord is pulling toward the next one extra hard"
• [Theory] Label as V/x if functioning as secondary dominant

The Walk-Down (Chromatic Bass)

Slash chords with bass moving by half-steps:

• Trace where the bass is walking
• Note what's staying still on top (anchor notes)
• Reference McCartney if applicable — he loved this move

Examples

Input: "C - Am - F - G"

Analyze as verse/foundation progression in C major. Use: Home → Quiet home → Setup → Pull

Input: "C - C/B - Am - Am/G - F - G - C"

This is a walk-down! Note the bass stepping: C → B → A → G → F Upper voices holding while bass walks down chromatically. Reference: This is the "Something" move.

Input: song.yaml with multiple sections

Analyze each section separately, noting:

• What cell each section lives in
• How sections transition between cells
• Where the energy builds and releases

Framework References

• Core theory: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/framework/core.md
• Voice leading: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/framework/voice-leading.md
• Gallery notes: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/framework/gallery-notes.md
• Chord analysis: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/patterns/chord-analysis.md
• Workspace detection: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/patterns/workspace-detection.md
• Path resolution: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/patterns/path-resolution.md