Lesson 3

Aims 
To learn how to come up with ideas for melodies and chords to use for your song.
​To understand what a chord progression is and how it is the basis for all songs.
To learn how to improvise and “jam” in order to produce initial musical ideas.
To learn to use technology to help you with initial song ideas

KEYWORDS

Improvisation, scale, chord, progression, melody. 

​Questions I will ask at the end of the lesson

• What is the most popular chord progression?
• What does the term "melody" mean?
• What is a chord?
• What does "improvise" or to "jam" mean?
• Is it best to be complicated or start simple when songwriting?

MR H will test using Kahoot at the end of the lesson. 
​​
From Musical Futures Australia,

Creating and playing with others 
Playing music with others is as much about teamwork as it is about the music you play. 

Start simple 
It is always easier to start with a very simple melody, chord progression, bass line, or drum pattern, and then add more complexity and depth to it as the song progresses.

Most songs are based on a simple chord structure. The four chord hit wonder. 

If we take the scale of C major.

I - ii - iii -IV-V-vi-VII-I
C-Dm-Em-F-G-Am-B7-C

We can use the scale to explain the common and different chord progressions. There are common patterns that are used.

The most popular I-V-vi-IV 
C-G-Am-F
http://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/common-chord-progressions/1

Pachelbel's sequence I - V - vi - iii
C-G-Am-Em
http://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/common-chord-progressions/3
​

A different point in the key
vi → V → IV → V  http://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/common-chord-progressions/4
​Am-G-F-G
A variation on the most popular

I → vi → IV → V http://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/common-chord-progressions/5​
I → IV → vi → V  http://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/common-chord-progressions/6​
C-Am-F-G
C-F-Am-G

A video explanation from me. Please be nice. 

Hooktheory -->Link is a good starting point for building chords and melody ideas

For Piano chord charts - http://www.8notes.com/piano_chord_chart/
 or here https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302937512412207265/

For Guitar chord charts - ​http://www.8notes.com/guitar_chord_chart/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302937512412401847/
​
Most musicians, when jamming, spend the first part of the song “figuring it out” and then spend the later part of the song actually expressing themselves and creating their own variations. Until you get comfortable with a song’s basics, it won’t help playing complex solo lines or fills.

If you’re the “leader” or if you feel that your fellow songwriters are with you, you might be tempted to start out with more complexity. Avoid this, because it helps to get everyone understanding and playing the first verse or two with something really simple, and you can spend that time coming up with a really amazing part that you can play later on.

Most songs use only four chords look at the "Axis of Awesome" that illustrates this.

https://youtu.be/oOlDewpCfZQ  

Listening
Pay attention to what others are saying and to the music that is being played around you. Add to it only when it is necessary. You should begin to hear the lines that you want to play before you play them.

Allowing space for others (don’t over play)
It is important for everyone to contribute. It doesn’t matter how good you are (or think you are), you should never play so much that it drowns everyone else out.

Feedback
Seek and give feedback that is considered and helpful. Warm feedback is always nice to receive. For example, “I like that chord progression for the chorus. It will sound great with the vocal line over it”. This tells the performer/songwriting partner that you are listening carefully to their suggestions and encourages further input. Positive suggestions are great and are not discouraging if there is a reason given for your preferences, for example, “I think that chord progression would be better used as the pre-chorus section. I feel something stronger or more bold, is required for the chorus.”

Reflection
Take time (and stop playing...yes , that means you too!) and let everyone have a say about the part of the song you are working on.

Take a break
Sometimes you can spend a whole lot of time working on a section and just get nowhere. It happens to everyone.  Maybe you are over thinking it or trying to play something that won’t fit or is just too hard for everyone to play. Drop it for a while and go on with something else. You will come back and find something that works later. 

In Short;

Use your Voices or instruments jam around a sequence that is familiar. If you like a tune or a melody, repeat it, loop it around to help the flow.

​If you already have an idea for a melody (with or without words), find the chords of the backing that should fit with it. 

Homework. 

Choose one of these five songs 

Adele - Someone like you
http://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/adele/someone-like-you

Bastille-Pompeii
http://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/bastille/pompeii

Green Day - Basketcase
http://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/green-day/basketcase

Pachelbels Canon
http://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/johann-pachelbel/canon-in-d-major

Adele - Hello
http://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/adele/hello

Play the song through and use the information to answer the questions.

if you have any questions email christopher.hoddinott@aisvietnam.com