Chords
D5
✕
✕
✕
E5
✕
✕
✕
F5
N/A
G5
3
✕
✕
✕
Eb5
N/A
Bb5
N/A
Dm
✕
✕
C
✕
Bb
✕
F
C5
N/A
A5
✕
✕
✕
D5
E5
F5
G5
Eb5
Bb5
Dm
C
Bb
F
C5
A5
Harmony
The harmony of 'Schism' is a masterclass in using modal minimalism to support rhythmic complexity. While the song is famous for its 5/8 and 7/8 time signature shifts, its harmonic foundation rests on a dark D Aeolian palette. The iconic opening bass riff utilizes a minor third (F) and a minor sixth (Bb), creating a sense of dread and yearning that perfectly complements the lyrics' theme of communication breakdown. Because the guitars often use fifth-intervals (power chords) rather than full triads, the 'harmony' is often felt through the relationship between Justin Chancellor’s high-register bass melodies and Adam Jones's rhythmic chugging, allowing for a hauntingly open tonal space. Emotional tension is heightened during the bridge and climax through the use of modal borrowing. The introduction of the Eb chord—the flat second (bII)—moves the track briefly into D Phrygian territory, providing that 'Neapolitan' sense of crushing weight common in progressive metal. This harmonic shift, paired with the 'squaring off' of the rhythms, mirrors the lyrical 'disintegrating' of the lovers' relationship. The song eventually resolves the dissonance by returning to the steady D tonic, suggesting a grim but stable acceptance of the 'schism' itself.
Rhythm
The song is renowned for its intricate and shifting time signatures, including 5/8, 7/8, 6/8, 4/4, and others.
Groove: Progressive, polyrhythmic
Melody
Maynard James Keenan's vocal melody ranges from subdued and introspective to powerful and soaring, complementing the song's dynamic shifts.
Range: Moderate
Structure
Unconventional, progressive structure
Intro
Verse 1
Bridge 1
Verse 2
Bridge 2
Instrumental Section
Verse 3
Outro
📝 Lyrics
analytical · tense · contemplative
Theme
The breakdown of communication and the arduous process of reconciliation.
Surface
The song describes a relationship—whether romantic, platonic, or professional—that has fallen apart due to a lack of communication and the resulting emotional distance.
Deeper meaning
On a philosophical level, the song explores human entropy and the 'schism' between the self and others, or the self and the divine. It posits that connection is not a static state but an active, difficult process of 'incorporating' and 're-discovering' that requires constant work to combat the natural tendency of things to fragment.
Symbols
The Pieces
Cold Silence
The Puzzle
Chord Diagrams
D5
✕
✕
✕
E5
✕
✕
✕
F5
N/A
G5
3
✕
✕
✕
Eb5
N/A
Bb5
N/A
Dm
✕
✕
C
✕
Bb
✕
F
C5
N/A
A5
✕
✕
✕
Overall Difficulty
9/10
Guitar
Difficulty: 8/10
The main riff is an exercise in restraint; focus on the 'breathing' of the notes.During the bridge, the palm-muted triplets must be perfectly synchronized with the double-kick drum.Use a volume pedal for the atmospheric intro notes to hide the pick attack.
Palm muting
Hammer-ons
Pull-offs
Volume swells
Triplets
Slide
Feedback control
Gear: Gibson Les Paul Custom, Marshall/Diezel amp blend, Boss BF-2 Flanger, Delay pedal
Bass
Difficulty: 9/10
The bass is the lead instrument here. The hammer-on/pull-off sequence in the main riff requires high finger strength and precision.Maintain a bright, 'clanky' tone to ensure the complex rhythms cut through the mix.Practice the bridge section slowly to master the shifting accents on the power chords.
Pick playing
Hammer-ons
Pull-offs
Double stops
Sliding
Chordal playing
Gear: Wal Bass, Gallien-Krueger amps, Boss CE-5 Chorus, Rat Overdrive/Turbo Rat
Drums
Difficulty: 9/10
The 'pulse' is the key. Even when the signature changes, the quarter note (or eighth note) remains the constant anchor.Danny Carey uses the ride bell and Swiss triplets frequently during the climactic sections.Focus on the hi-hat openings; they define the groove of the verses.
Polyrhythms
Ghost notes
Linear fills
Double bass drumming
Syncopation
Vocals
Difficulty: 8/10
Maynard's delivery is very breathy and intimate in the beginning, building to a more aggressive, resonant tone.Pay close attention to the phrasing; the vocals often sit 'across' the bar lines rather than on top of them.Maintain a steady core support during the long-held notes in the bridge ('I know the pieces fit').
Breath control
Dynamic building
Soft-to-loud transitions
Clean sustain
Composition
The song was built around a 'twiddly' bass riff created by Justin Chancellor while 'fooling around' during practice. Maynard James Keenan originally wrote lyrics that were explicitly about building tensions between himself and guitarist Adam Jones, but at Jones's request, the lyrics were revised to be more universal. The track is renowned for its mathematical complexity, featuring 47 time signature changes and a main riff that alternates between bars of 5/8 and 7/8.
Inspiration: Interpersonal communication and the 'schism' or breakdown that occurs in relationships; metaphors involving the 'squaring of the circle' and the reconstruction of a 'toppled temple.'
Recording
Studio: Cello Studios, The Hook, Big Empty Space, and The Lodge
Producer: David Bottrill and Tool
The song's primary meter is often referred to by the band as 6.5/8 (the average of 5/8 and 7/8).
The music video was directed by Adam Jones and features a combination of stop-motion animation and live actors.
The track 'Mantra' which precedes the song on the album is the sound of Maynard James Keenan gently squeezing his cat, slowed down.
Cultural Context
Early 2000s Alternative Metal/Progressive Metal scene
Impact
Helped popularize progressive metal and expand the boundaries of alternative music.
Legacy
Remains a highly influential and respected song in the progressive metal genre.
King Crimson
Rush
Pink Floyd
Chord Sheet
Transpose
0
Capo
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Auto-scroll
Print
Reset
Song Structure
Unconventional, progressive structure
Chords Used
Hide functions
D5
i
T
F5
bIII
T
Bb5
bVI
T
C5
bVII
D
A5
v
D
Progression by Section
Intro
D5
E5
F5
G5
Bridge
D5
i
T
Eb5
bII
Bb5
VI
Chorus
Dm
i
T
C
VII
T
Bb
VI
F
III
Verse
Dm
i
T
Bb
VI
C
VII
T
Chord Diagrams
D5
✕
✕
✕
E5
✕
✕
✕
F5
N/A
G5
3
✕
✕
✕
Eb5
N/A
Bb5
N/A
Dm
✕
✕
C
✕
Bb
✕
F
C5
N/A
A5
✕
✕
✕
Sections
Intro
Verse 1
Bridge 1
Verse 2
Bridge 2
Instrumental Section
Verse 3
Outro
Harmony Analysis
The song features complex harmonic progressions and dissonant intervals, characteristic of Tool's sound.
This song includes key changes
Find Tabs & Chords
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View Lyrics on Genius
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