Torch
View chords used in this chart
"Torch" by The Sisters of Mercy (from the album "Floodland")
============================================================
Transcribed by Elissa Feit (feit@cs.Buffalo.EDU)
E C
Am Bm
G D A
E G C Bm
G D A
C#m B
C#m B
D
C Em
*** The bass for the above is simply playing the root note of each
chord (if the chord is a C, play a C; if the chord is a C-, play a C).
(If you don't what notes are what, e-mail me and I will give you a
*quick* theory lesson... this offer for a short time only!)
D C G
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
G --------------------------|------------------------|
D --------------------------|----------------------4-|
A --5--------5---7---5--7--3|----------3-5--3--5-----|
E --------------------------|------------------------|
G Bm
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 1---2---3
G -----------------------|---------------------------|
D --5---------5-7---5-4--|---------------5---4-------|
A ---------5-------------|----------5------------5---|
E -----------------------|---------------------------|
C Em
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
G ------------------|-------------------------|
D ----------4---4-2-|---------2---4-2---4-s9--| <- slide up to 9
A --2---- 5---5-----|-------------------------|
E ------------------|-------------------------|
Hold the next two measures then repeat all 8 measures (the above 6 + the 2)
for the next half a verse. Notice that what's going on is the final note
in a lot of the measures are "anticipations", that is, the bass note for the
following measure is played a half-beat ahead.
D C
G Bm
C Em
Chorus: (repeat)
Break: E
Bass:
G--------------------------------------------------------------
D--7-9-7--------------------------7-9-7------------------------
A--------10--9--7------7-7-7------------10--9--7-----7---------
E------------------10-----------------------------10-----------
G--------------------------------------------------------------
D--7-9-7---------------9--7-7--9--10----7-9-7--------------------
A--------10--9--7--9--10--9-9-10--12----------10--9--7-----7-----
E-----------------------------------------------------10-------
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
actually, the bass doesn't really play the top notes (B A A B C),
some woodwind does, but if you're playing alone, then it sounds
better this way.
Elissa Feit (feit@cs.buffalo.edu // {rutgers,uunet}!cs.buffalo.edu!feit)
"I think Philip Roth is a great writer, but I wouldn't want to shake his hand."
- Jacqueline Susann
How to play Torch
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is E. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.