The bass code or harmony of Viva la Vida - Coldplay

It is even simpler than thought and this is why it sounds so refined and sophisticated.


To visualize it very quickly let's normalize it first to the C major scale.
Bass is C, harmony is G C E
Then bass is D but harmony stays G C E
Then bass is G, harmony is B D G
Then bass is E but harmony stays B D G


This is why it sounds so amazing.


Taking each voice on its own we have.


Bass
C C C C D D D D D G G G G E E E E E


Other voice
C C C C C C C C C B B B B B B B B B


Other voice
E E E E E E E E E D D D D D D D D D


Other voice
G G G G G G G G G (G G G G G G G G G)oct


All these played or sung together simultaneously making it sound spectacular.


This pattern is repeated throughout the song and forms its basis.


Then the main vocal improvises on top of that.


At the end the oh oh oh oh motif is added.


And of course everything is (all notes are) sharp as the song is written in C sharp major rather that C major.


Viva la Vida - Coldplay
Coldplay channel - youtube
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgZkm1xWPE


Bass code is:
C
D247
G
E7


It may be better to voice it as follows taking into account Bach's advice of contrary motion of hands.


C bass and C E G or E G C
D bass and C E G or E G C
G bass and B D G or D G B
E bass and B D G or D G B


(Remembering all notes are sharp.)


The right hand can sustain for 2 measures the chord while the left hand playing the bass is performing its rythmic pattern.


It is also a nice exercise to just play with left hand bass and with right hand just the main signing melody ie the vocal.


See also:
Bach Bass Rules - Bach, Niedt - PDF