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Guitar and Music Theory
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Topic starter
26/08/2005 4:06 am
Ok, I posted this on the general forum but noone really answered what I was after. Here, I'll copy and paste:
So like I said, I want to write my own music, but how do I do it? Do I just pick random chords that fit into a scale, for example the scale of C. I want a simple I IV V progression (C F G) Could I pick a Csus4, F7, G progression? And also, I have a feeling that minors come into play, when can I make a chord, minor, or diminished or augmented so that they sound complete with the rest of the piece? Thanks, oh and about soloing, do I just play in the key the piece is written in? What about modes? A lot of questions but I know you guys are helpful, thanks again.
So I guess I'm looking for the theory answer to this, not the type of answer I was getting such as, the best songs are songs that come from the heart. I mean, yeah that helps, but it could still sound like garbage.
Thanks Dudes!
Keep on Rockin'
Pat
26/08/2005 5:56 am
You know how some people write the lyrics, then the music, and other folks do it in reverse? That's kind of the answer I'm going to give you here...
There are two basic approaches. I'll call 'em the 'songwriter' approach and the 'composer' approach.
The songwriter approach starts with a chord progression and fits a melody to it, or it starts with a melody at test-fits chords to it until something decent is found. You'll find that many, many songs have the same progressions - we're used to hearing them. As a general rule of thumb, you'll want a cadence (the musical equivalent of a stop sign) that wraps everything up. The usual one is the authentic cadence which goes V7-I in major keys, and V7-i in minor keys. So if you're in the key of C, you'll probably have a G7-C change at the end of your progression, and if you're in E minor you'll probably have B7-Em.
The composer approach always starts with a melody, and then builds it up to chords in layers. This approach actually tries to create another melody on top of the original, so the two sound good together - and the two melodies will create a harmony. Add a third harmonizing melody, and presto - you've got chords.
Most folks take the songwriter approach, because the composer approach is a lot more work... but it creates a much wider variety of music.
For soloing, do whatever sounds right and fits the song. Maybe that's a mode, maybe it's not.
Guitar teacher offering lessons in Plainfield IL
26/08/2005 6:01 am
To add on to Noteboat's comments..
Many many people starting out take a blended approach. They'll hear a short chord progression they like, and will build a melody to fit it. Then they'll extend that melody for a few more measures, and go back and using the first part of the chord progression as a guide, build up the melody for the next measure.
The best advice I can give you for this is to go get a bunch of sheet music and start tearing it apart.
Find the 'A' and 'B' sections of the song. Label the chords (I, ii, iii, IV.. etc.) Figure out which melody notes are chord tones and which aren't. If it's just a lead sheet get out some composition paper, write out the melody and then write the chords below it. Try to find voicings that put the melody in the upper registeres. Find chord substitutions that work better with the harmony. Figure out base runs.
The more time you spend looking at and listening too other people's music, the easier time you'll have figuring out what to do with your own.
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." -- HST