Help on Chord Progressions

[Anj]

Guys,




I'm always writing words down for song material...
I dunno if they're good or bad but they usually fit to a tune fairly well.
Unfortunatly, I have a tendancy to write in G, D, or the open E keys.....sometimes Am, or Dm or something.
My Question:
How do you write music that sounds catchy and pleasant to listen to, but doesn't sound like the top 40 list?
I know that the C-G-Am-F progression is rampant in so many keys for so many songs.....how does one break out of the mold?
(EG Dave Matthews)
I realize this is a huge question, but I am in search of any help possible.
thanks,


anj

[TimmyPack]

I use the G D Em C alot, or the G Em D Em D C, or an E A2 B E. Use a Capo to change it up a little, ot use a different tuning Drop D. DADGAD, or my personal fav EAEEBe

[chtaylo2]

I don't play alot of songs that are exlusively first position chords. That just really bores me. I don't write music, but I prefer music with different chord voicings, fingerings or different progressoins or structure that aren't the typical ones. Maybe you could still write something in the Key of G, but use inversions or different voicings for those chords. Just a thought.

-Chris

[evan256]

I have the impression, as you, that most western songs revolve around the root, fourth, fifth and relative minor chords of any given key. I don't think many if any popular songs stray from this formula too much. In songwriting pitch is really important only to fit the vocalists range or because the intrumentalists "like" that key or are more familiar with the scale.

Without a "hook", any song, in any key, with any number of "spiffy" chords will not make it in a commercial market in my opinion. How to create a "hook" should be the main labor and goal of any commercial songwriter. Just like BBQ sauce everybody has their own secret recipe. Sometimes the hook can be found in the music or the words. One of my old instructors told me to stop playing guitar and start writing songs. Now, I can do both and I teach that same philosophy to my students.

Songwriting is seemingly becoming a lost art. Where are the "Archies" when you need them.....

Good luck on your efforts. I suspect you have already checked all the songwriting forums for ideas.

CE

[Anj]

Evan256,



I have not checked those forums...where are they to be found?
I've gotta pile of lyrics (8-10 different songs)
but no music for them yet.
I'm trying to break away from patterns that
my ears know
and patterns that
my fingers know.
It's just somewhat difficult on the acoustic when your hand
wants to lazily just mess around in G, or E.
Do you write lyrics then music, or Music first,
OR do you sit down and start playing and sing as it comes to you?
I know everyone's got a method, but which do you use?
And how do you create a hook with out following the routine
1,4,5, Relative Minor progression?
thanks much for all the advice so far...I really appreciate it.



anj

[Cat Daddy]

A lot of the chord progressions that I have come up with that got my attention were by accident. Try things that may not make sense to you right now. It may open a new world to you. Also try partial capos, alternate tunings. Anything that will brek the habit of pick up the guitar, same ole, same ole.

[CDT]

learn some jazz voicings and incorporate/substitue either fully or partially them into a progression your doing...

[815C]

Buy a Beatles song book and play through their songs. They were masters of coming up with the coolest chord progressions. Studying their music may help you come up with some chord progression ideas.