Editing Pet Sounds (section)

===Key ambiguity and forms===
Wilson employed a vertical compositional approach using [[block chord]]s rather than horizontal classical structures and often juxtaposed contrasting chords between hands, incorporating clashing notes that resulted in [[polytonality]].{{sfn|Granata|2003|p=141}} The album predominantly features chords that are [[slash chord|slashed]], [[diminished chord|diminished]], [[major seventh]], [[sixth chord|sixths]], [[ninth chord|ninths]], [[augmented chord|augmented]], or [[suspended chord|suspended]],{{sfn|O'Regan|2014|pp=193–194, 314}} with augmented and ninth chords appearing less frequently.{{sfn|O'Regan|2014|p=314}}{{refn|group=nb|This contrasted with the Beach Boys' reliance on simple [[triad (music)|triad]]s on earlier albums.{{sfn|O'Regan|2014|pp=193–194, 314}}}} Every track is in a [[major key]],{{sfn|Lambert|2007|p=326}} some of which are unusual choices; for instance, "You Still Believe in Me" uses B—a key with numerous [[accidental (music)|sharps and flats]] that keyboardists typically avoid—while "That's Not Me" is in F{{music|sharp}}, the key farthest from C.{{sfn|Granata|2003|p=141}}

[[File:God Only Knows diagram.png|right|thumb|upright=1.35|The ''Pet Sounds'' compositions are distinguished for avoiding definite [[key (music)|key]] signatures.{{sfn|Lambert|2008|pp=115–116}} Pictured is a visual representation of the [[harmonic structure]]s present in the verse and chorus of "[[God Only Knows]]".]]

The album's harmonic structure features four tracks maintaining a single strongly established key: "You Still Believe in Me" (B), "I'm Waiting for the Day" (E), "Sloop John B" (A{{music|flat}}), and "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times" (B{{music|flat}}).{{sfn|Lambert|2008|p=116}} Most other songs shift between primary and secondary keys or lack a definitive tonal center.{{sfn|Lambert|2008|pp=115–116}} Two tracks—"That's Not Me" and "Let's Go Away for Awhile"—begin and end in distinct keys; others integrate secondary key areas for phrases and sections—"Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "God Only Knows"—or momentary [[tonic (music)|tonicizations]] ("Here Today", "Pet Sounds", and "Caroline, No").{{sfn|Lambert|2008|pp=116–117}}

Song structures largely adhere to conventional forms: three tracks follow the [[AABA form|AABA]] [[quatrain]] format, while eight use [[verse-chorus form|verse-chorus frameworks]].{{sfn|Lambert|2008|pp=115–117}}{{refn|group=nb| "I'm Waiting for the Day" extends a verse-refrain structure through three repetitions before concluding with unrelated thematic material.{{sfn|Lambert|2016|p=145}}}} Exceptions include "That's Not Me", structured as a binary form with [[development (music)|developmental]] repetition, and "Let's Go Away for Awhile", comprising two contrasting sections without reprise.{{sfn|Lambert|2008|p=115}}{{sfn|Lambert|2016|p=145}} Three tracks—"You Still Believe in Me", "Let's Go Away for Awhile", and "Pet Sounds"—feature two distinct, non-repeating sections.{{sfn|Lambert|2016|p=145}}