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How to Write Great Songs - Learn From the Masters!
🕑 Added 2018-02-24 15:36:23 +0000 UTC Hello friends,Welcome to another songwriting tutorial! In today's session we will discuss the process of analyzing your favorite tunes. Our goal will be to establish what key the song is in, the type of progression, and to identify any unique variations. Once we have reduced this song into it's basic components, we will use them as a template to begin writing our own original song.
Let's get started!
Section #1: Establishing the Key
There are several ways in which you can establish the key of a particular song. Here's a step-by-step approach:
1) The opening chord - In the majority of pop, blues, and rock songs, the first chord is usually the "one" or "root" chord that matches the key. Looking at the first chord of Roy Orbison's "Crying," I can start to assume this tune is in the key of Dmaj.
2) The resolving chord - The next step is to find the chord that "resolves" or puts the progression to rest. If the first and last chord of a progression are a match, and that feeling of resolve is achieved at the close of the progression, than it's a safe bet that this is the root chord.
3) Know your keys - Compare the available chords in the progression with a list of your major keys. Look for the key that has the most notes in common: Key of D - D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#
4) Look for the 5 chord - Very often the five chord creates the feeling of a crescendo, which must be resolved by the 1 chord. In "Crying," we get this feeling once we hit the A7 chord, which forces the progression back to Dmaj, thus revealing that we are in the key of D Major.
Section #2: Identifying the Progression & Variations
In this section we will compare the chords in "Crying" with those available in the key of D Major to see if there is a core progression at work. Most popular songs utilize a "stock chord progression," which is then embellished with the artist signature variations.
Notes and Common Chords in the Key of D Major:
Comments
Rob, really like this lesson. So useful! You mentioned at the end a follow-up on creating melodies. Not sure where to find it. Suggestion? Steve
thank you so much for your french answer ! now i' ll try to write in my english ; I am working your " blues routines " : what to do with the G string when you play the chord with forh case on on the D string and the second case on the B ? the free G string sounds " bizarre" ; is it better to mute it with the forth finger or let iit ring ? and the E string?
c'est un plaisir pour moi, je suis tellement contente que vous appréciez mon style d'enseignement. Merci!
Hey thanks John, this might not be my most popular lesson, but I think it's some of the most important material I've taught. Thanks for the positive feedback!
Thoroughly enjoyable and an educational bonus. Thanks Rob.
merci beaucoup, vous expliquez merveilleusement bien, et votre enthousiasme donne envie de travailler
Thank you so much Rob, this is the most important part of making music. You have shared it with us which sets you apart as a musician and teacher. I do not know how well I can use this information I will try my best to put it in use. If there's anything I need to know is what goes into creating the tunes? Thanks again appreciate all your help time and againđ
Thanks Dawn, I know this was your main request, so glad youâve enjoyed the series thus far. We still need to talk about lyrics, creating melodies, and also song structures, so expect a few more videos on composition in the coming weeks.
I'm in heaven! This lesson was fabulous and the PDF perhaps on of your best ever with so much arranged so I can go back and connect with the info many times. I am so excited to learn about those progressions using the various, unique chord variations and how they affect the song. I plan on putting them to use myself, so thanks for showing us how you did it. Now I can't wait for the next installment. This was one classy lesson!
