How to Write Songs - Picking the Perfect Chords

Рет қаралды 92,093

Күн бұрын

Learn to write simple yet powerful chord progressions for your next song!
Click here for FREE download of Chord Functions pdf: howtowritesongs.gumroad.com/l...
Access the full 80-minute Masterclass here: tinyurl.com/3fpk4ba9
Our brand new online course - THE SONGWRITING PROCESS: Start to Finish - available here: www.udemy.com/course/how-to-w...
Want a musical sketchpad with built-in music theory that helps you create beats, songs, and musical snippets? Check out HOOKTHEORY:
hooktheory.com/affiliate/261....
As songwriters we often start with a chord progression, using it as a framework to add lyrics, melodies, textures and embellishments. But one question continually pops up is ‘what chord do I choose next?’
In this video we look at the functions and relationships of chords in a diatonic system, to give you more control over the choices you make and more variety as the song develops. We break down a simple yet effective process for writing chord progressions that doesn’t feel random, doesn’t feel repetitive and gives you total control over the direction you'd like to take your composition. Finally, we look at some great substitutions to spice up your song and support your lyrical message.
SECTIONS
00:00 - Intro
00:50 - Common Questions
01:28 - Diatonic Systems
03:53 - Functions of Chords
05:22 - Blues in G
06:41 - Chord Substitutions
12:23 - Let It Be
14:57 - Hallelujah
17:50 - Summary and Wrap-up
MUSIC IN THIS VIDEO
'Let It Be' by Lennon-McCartney - EMI - 1970
'Hallelujah' by Leonard Cohen - Columbia - 1984
ABOUT BEN
Ben's passion for music and creativity stretches across multiple disciplines and art-forms. He is a founding member and songwriter / lap-slide guitarist for one of Australia's best and most bearded country-bluegrass-folk bands, THE GREEN MOHAIR SUITS. To date the Mohairs have released 4 full-length albums and tour both nationally and overseas.
Ben is also the Founder and Head Producer of SILAMOR STUDIOS, a boutique studio specialising in Composition for Film, TV and Interactive Media. He writes extensively across various instrumental and lyric-based genres and has been commissioned for major projects by Adobe, Cathay Pacific and Audible. He also currently releases original songs under the name SILAMOR.
Ben is passionate about education and has taught song and lyric writing as well as film composition for JMC Academy and the Australian Institute of Music. He also designs and regularly facilitates workshops on creative process and innovation.
Links to Ben's music are here:
The Green Mohair Suits
open.spotify.com/artist/7M3Zf...
SILAMOR
open.spotify.com/artist/5HOpa...
www.silamor.com/music
WORK FLOW AUDIO: / @workflowaudio-studymu...
SOME MORE FROM KEPPIE & 'HOW TO WRITE SONGS'
///UPCOMING LIVE/ONLINE WORKSHOPS\\\ See what's coming up here: www.howtowritesongs.org/workshops
You can receive once-a-month tips, tools and tidbits on songwriting from me by subscribing to my newsletter here:
howtowritesongs.org/subscribe...
We can be buddies on socials here:
/ howtowrite.songs
/ keppiecoutts
Keppie's music is here:
www.keppiecouttsmusic.com/music
#howtowritesongs
#songwriting
#howtowriteasong
#songs
#letitbe
#thebeatles
#chords
#musictheory
#hallelujah
#leonardcohen
#guitarplaying
#guitar
#guitarchord
#howmusicworks

Пікірлер: 308

@dwaynegayle9020 2 жыл бұрын

Hard to exaggerate how helpful this is to new artists.

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dwayne, fantastic feedback! Glad it was helpful!

@blazemoyer 11 ай бұрын

Outstanding job!!!! You made a complex subject easy and fun to understand. Best class I see in a while.

@silverglitch Жыл бұрын

One of the best lessons on songwriting I have come across on KZfaq! Brilliantly explained. Thank you!

@donahvanhollis9652 8 ай бұрын

I’ve learned SO MUCH about songwriting, piano and theory from former Berklee Instructors & Associates on KZfaq for FREeeeeeeeee..that I’m dedicating my first Hit to Berklee and making a Tuition sized donation!

@StefanGBucher 2 жыл бұрын

This was thoroughly excellent, and also very nicely produced graphically! Thank you!

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Stefan, glad it was helpful and appreciate the feedback!

@BroLuap 8 ай бұрын

Such a great explanation!! You guys make such amazing videos! I’m very grateful for your chanel😊

@Virtual-Media 2 жыл бұрын

Explained in a story like format that comfortably leads you to the conclusion. Well done..

@gwjr111 2 жыл бұрын

Your video does such a great job of explaining about the number system and chord progressions. The Leonard Cohen song was the perfect example. I'm eager to try and actually use this. Thanks!

@michaelperez4001 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this wonderful video and simple explanation of why chords work together. After countless books/videos and “luck” of finding chords in my writing, this lesson is sure to help me and others properly structure a song. Thank you again

@meeno_the_man 10 ай бұрын

Such a lovely primer! I’m deep down the Modes hole and this is a solid Bring-it-on-home of the basics clearly stated while I’m simultaneously thinking much more complicatedly. Many thanks for all you guys do. Love the channel. Love your teaching.

@patpatisserie4245 Жыл бұрын

Fabulous. Chord progressions and why they feel the way they do explained, demystified and made practical in less than 20 minutes.

@switchersaurus1305 9 ай бұрын

This made clear a lot of things I was aware of but did not understand. Great explanation, thank you.

@user-ko8ht5oj9b 11 ай бұрын

Magnificent explanation. It integrates a lot of information I’ve known for years, in a consistent, practical framework I had not visualized before. Beautiful!

@jeffreyginsburg6959 2 жыл бұрын

Very well done! Home run. This explanation will help in crafting songs and in my playing in general. So glad I found your channel, please keep it up.Thank you!

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jeffrey, really appreciate the feedback! Happy writing!

@Angela-jy8um 9 ай бұрын

This is a really fantastic video! Thank you for sharing. You explain well.

@davidandrade2161 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this post. Been looking for this approach for years!! So enlightening.

@htws Жыл бұрын

You’re most welcome David, glad it was helpful! Thanks for the support

@kroadster3249 Жыл бұрын

THE best Video that covers the bases of Chords and their relations I have ever seen. I knew 80% of it by long years of struggle towards that knowledge. But this filled the still existing gaps and explains it plainly and on point.

@FendCore Жыл бұрын

Brilliant explanations as always... I'm never stuck for too long into building my songs since I follow you. And I even often get fresh inspiration. Thank you 👍

@htws Жыл бұрын

You’re so welcome! It might be worthwhile checking out our Patreon, if you’re writing regularly and want some more in-depth guidance and feedback! www.patreon.com/howtowritesongs

@josephfinnegan3592 2 жыл бұрын

Tremendous lesson. I’ve never heard chord progressions taught this way. Makes so much sense! I will be subscribing. Thanks!

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Joseph, appreciate the support!

@dallasblues74 2 жыл бұрын

Such a wonderful way to explain some basic music theory and how it applies to making a song. I wish I’d known this when I first started out. And I wish I’d thought of it when I was teaching! Thank you for your insight. Very helpful!

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Todd, really appreciate the support and feedback!

@raydiasdj Жыл бұрын

This is a wonderfully compact and comprehensive clip! Thank you!!

@jazzsong8566 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent! One of the clearest explanations I’ve ever learned about chord progression. Thank you

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rafael, glad it was helpful!

@mcny40 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! What a well laid out lesson with great explanations. Great voice too! Subscribed!!

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, much appreciated!

@jonmarch9054 Жыл бұрын

In this one lesson you have made things so clear and inspired me to write more music. You're a superb natural teacher and make the subject easy to comprehend. Please carry on making these excellent videos they are helping thousands of us believe we can write beautiful music 👍👍👍👍

@yiannig3514 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for beautifully explaining chord functionality, it’s all starting to make sense to me now!

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Yianni, glad to hear this video helped!

@michaelbobson9198 Жыл бұрын

Best lesson I’ve ever seen on KZfaq! I think there is a void between beginner and intermediate, right where I’m standing currently and this lesson was a solid bridge. A lesson in writing, is a great way to teach theory IMHO Thank you!!!

@JordiCX Жыл бұрын

Landed recently on this channel and I'm absolutely mesmerized by the quality and clarity of your lessons. Binge-watching everything. A happy follower ;)

@chriswrighton5162 2 жыл бұрын

Ben, you have successfully condensed what are typically multiple chapters of many songwriting books into one crystal clear video. Respect and many thx!

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Chris! Condensing this kind of material is always a challenge but I'm glad it worked on this occasion. Cheers

@BJ-sp2cj 6 ай бұрын

I am so inspired by this lesson brilliant break down

@grekiely6245 Жыл бұрын

Excellent Works for this and the others - thanks.

@nathanscroger Жыл бұрын

I have always been the person writing the music. But, lyrics always freaked me out. You all have been so helpful to get me started. Thank you!

@twinpines 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! Excellent, Ben! Very clear and well explained. Please make more videos like this. Your channel is amazing. And the Montreal Jazz Festival rules! Great banner. ;)

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thankyou, glad you enjoyed it! I am planning to make more videos like this very soon, mainly focusing on more complex chord progressions and options from outside the key... and yes, Montreal is one of my absolute favourite places! That poster is a souvenir from my trip to the Festival about 15 years ago... such great memories!

@twinpines 2 жыл бұрын

@@htws please continue producing this type of content. I love your channel and I am learning a lot. I am in the Montreal region and during my first years around here, I lived just a few steps away from where the festival takes place. It was amazing!

@denenecavanagh9455 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for these videos. They are very much appreciated.

@gsdcjd Жыл бұрын

This is the best explanation of anything I’ve ever watched online. Glad I found your site!

@htws Жыл бұрын

Thanks, much appreciated! Glad you found it useful

@psyrus73 4 ай бұрын

Awesome stuff. Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼

@goseason2343 2 жыл бұрын

Might be the best video I’ve seen on chord progression writing. Very well put insight.

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful feedback, thankyou for the support!

@jonbcannell 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. This gave me a new way to think about substitution and keep things fresh at the same time. 👏🏻

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jon, glad it was helpful!

@SzyGrz Жыл бұрын

Here it is, the simplest and most direct explanation of chord functions and substitution at once. Big thanks

@Faithful_Watchman 2 ай бұрын

Awesome easy explanation to compose my songs. Thank you!

@lisalisa13 2 жыл бұрын

Crazy that your video showed up on my KZfaq suggestions today because my musician friend was sending me chord progression suggestions last night with use of some 7th chords I like. I hadn't even googled anything about it and here you are today explaining it. 🙂 Many of them were exactly what you suggested here and with your explanation of the home analogy, it really baked in for me. Thank you so much and definitely going to subscribe.

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Haha, crazy how things like that happen... Thanks for your feedback Lisa, appreciate the support!

@funguy29 Жыл бұрын

This is the most educational video I've seen in a long time. God Bless. Keep going.

@htws Жыл бұрын

Thanks Niesdi, realy appreciate your support and feedback! Glad you found it helpful!

@rezakaleel9323 8 ай бұрын

so helpful and clear. Thank you!

@PARANOOB 2 ай бұрын

Exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it. Thank you! 🙌

@aptudo 2 жыл бұрын

Clear. Meaningful. I knew a lot of this, but you tied it all together perfectly. Take a moment today to feel happy knowing you created a mini masterpiece on this subject and inspired at least one budding songwriter!

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Rob, this is sincerely some of the loveliest feedback we've ever received! So delighted to hear that it was helpful. Really appreciate the support!

@HH-hm3qn Жыл бұрын

^^^ this!!!

@monaxey 2 жыл бұрын

Definitely the best ~20 mins I spent this week. Awesome content!

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing feedback, Thanks for the support!

@barrycoulter6951 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome stuff! Thx, been looking for this info! Looking forward to Minor examples as well…thx again!

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Barry, glad it was helpful. The minor video is coming very soon... stay tuned

@katstark_ 11 ай бұрын

Wow. A gem of a lesson. Thank you!

@jeffrey.a.hanson 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliantly simple. I like hierarchal view of: functions -> available substitutions -> play with these substitutes. Then we can paint on top of this.

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jeffrey. Thanks for your feedback... love your idea of 'painting on top' of the hierarchal framework... lovely way to phrase it

@donahvanhollis9652 9 ай бұрын

This was a great lesson brother✊🏽 First time I’ve heard Chord progression explained this way. Made since To me.. thank you🙏🏾 Motor City Native🎶🕺🏾

@miritsm Жыл бұрын

one of the great lesson I've ever seen! thank you 😊

@htws Жыл бұрын

You are most welcome! Thankyou for your kind words and support

@ElizabethPhaire1 Жыл бұрын

This is fantastically helpful! Thank you! ❤

@Weeeasy 2 жыл бұрын

brilliant chord lesson Sir, really learnt a lot.will continue to follow etc.

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks William, appreciate the feedback!

@vernonclement 2 жыл бұрын

Great Lesson ! Lived it ! 👍

@erikrummel6277 2 жыл бұрын

How have I never heard this explained this clearly before?!?!? Amazing video!!!!! Absolutely brilliantly articulated!!!!!!

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing feedback, thanks for the support Erik!

@mb5o 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent explanation of chord choices in a progression. Thank you.

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome Marc, glad it was useful.

@HH-hm3qn Жыл бұрын

Extraordinary explanation! Thank you so much for this.

@htws Жыл бұрын

You’re so very welcome! Glad it was helpful and thanks for the support

@martinbeo3920 2 жыл бұрын

Very Nice video! You made it understandable, and on point. Thank you!

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Really glad it was easy to understand, thanks for the feedback!

@davidpetersen1 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome. I've been trying to wrap my head around the logistics of chord progressions as they relate to song writing for far too long with no success, Thanks for your insights. :)

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks David, glad it was helpful. Happy songwriting!

@olivernapster1973 2 жыл бұрын

Perfect Explanation!! Thank you so much, waiting for the Minor Keys video

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Oliver, really appreciate the feedback! Video about writing in Minor keys coming soon...

@Owl-qh2rh Жыл бұрын

Great vid! Thank you for your sharing! Bless 🙏🕊️

@the.polymath 2 ай бұрын

Why is this information so hard to find? This is what I have been looking for forever. You have just leveled up my musicianship in one 20-minute video. Thank you.

@snaizester 2 жыл бұрын

This is a thorough and clear description of how to utilize different chord progressions. It offers a simple way of starting to put a song together which is great. The only issue I would take with it is using a diminished 7th chord in the 7 position. It would more properly be a diminished triad. The G sharp is not diatonic. I see you use the E7 in Hallelujah later on. The dim7 and E7 are closely linked so I can see why you used that as an example. That is a good bit of foreshadowing.

@mesolithicman164 Жыл бұрын

Very enlightening. Thank you .

@user-yz4dq3ud3y 11 ай бұрын

That’s a brilliant lesson… thank you. 👍🏻

@brucekalter4206 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent, very educational and clearly presented!!! Thank you!

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bruce, glad it was helpful!

@timmclaughlin1787 Жыл бұрын

I have been playing a long time over 50 years but never really spent time on HOW to write. I gota say that your way of teaching is itself perfect. Ive played these chords but never considered their relationship. I love it. Thank you this is great stuff. Oh hey the B dim looked like the e 7 but I am not sure I see your fingering of it?

@tonyguadagno6917 2 жыл бұрын

This lesson for me is so enlightening! Thank you so much.

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tony, really appreciate the support! Happy writing!

@julesbaby47 2 жыл бұрын

Very very well constructed tutorial, thanks you

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad it was helpful!

@YishkaGreaves 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely awesome lesson. I’ve been wanting to understand cord progression without Just doing what’s already done this show me how I can do what I want to get what I want done. Thank you so much I really do appreciate you and what you’re doing for us. Bless up

@thinkzen Жыл бұрын

Thank you, great lesson!

@rogeralleyne9257 2 жыл бұрын

This is a great channel for musicians 🙏🙏🙏

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Roger, let us know if there's any specific topics you'd like us to cover. Appreciate the support!

@colindayo 2 жыл бұрын

Loving your channel guys!

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Colin, really appreciate the support!

@masterkrapp007 3 ай бұрын

I love the way you analyse chord progressions! Any other songs you would like to take us through? This was brilliant!

@JasonLestage 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve fairly recently taken up guitar and definitely have the urge to write my own songs. I’ve been watching your videos and learning a lot about the process. This video felt like the most useful one yet. I’d love to see a video with highlights of a brainstorming session where you’re writing music and lyrics and pulling a song together. I haven’t been able to find anything like that on the internet. For some one new to song writing, seeing how a writing session works would be very helpful.

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Jason! What a great suggestion. We'll add it to the list :)

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jason. Glad you've been enjoying the channel and thanks for the feedback. We're currently working on a way to present brainstorming and other idea generation techniques - as well as a series of videos showing the songwriting process from start to finish. Stay tuned

@tonysienzant6717 Жыл бұрын

Just listen to some good music to see how it's done. "American Song" by Paul Simon would be a good one :-)

@Cottontowngal Жыл бұрын

Oh my that’s amazing thank you.

@axelr9075 2 жыл бұрын

Great video......the best videos always seem to be the ones where someone can break musical concepts into a simple way to understand them. I've seen too many music instruction videos where someone tries to dazzle you with their "expert" knowledge - and you usually walk away with little or no gained knowledge.

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Alex, really appreciate the feedback ... I'm always grappling with how to simplify or condense a lot of complex info a framework that just makes sense so I'm delighted to hear that it comes across that way. Cheers

@royjohnson3361 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice, especially the conceptualization and visualization of the function of chords, these are "home", these "move away", these "come home", etc.

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Roy, glad the visualisations work for you... appreciate the feedback!

@amrshlomr Жыл бұрын

Amazing video. thank you so much, that was really awesome.

@htws Жыл бұрын

Thanks Omar, glad it was helpful!

@paulschnyder938 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, I’ve learnt so much in 10 minutes- thanks 👍👍

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Paul, wonderful feedback!

@tahagoren7011 Жыл бұрын

i wish you would have did this amazing lesson 5 years ago and i have watched 5 years ago :( never late for anything :) thanks a lot

@doriandey4588 Жыл бұрын

Thanks! It was well explained.

@htws Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@fretish5425 2 жыл бұрын

Extremely helpful. Thank you!

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad it was helpful!

@tonysienzant6717 Жыл бұрын

This seemed so BASIC in the beginning & a bit boring but I held on & HALLELUJAH (!), suddenly it broke my mind open & got to something I was thinking of all along: how the chords 'mirror' the intent of the lyrics at different points in the song. Brilliant Stuff & an easy way to think about it: Home, Departure, Ready to Return & the chord substitutions that 'delay' the real arrival to Home.

@JohnDoe-fz7hz 5 ай бұрын

Awesome explained. I wish someone told me that so clearly many years ago.

@chicochicoshukor7184 2 жыл бұрын

Its awesome. I just subcribe. Thanks for the lesson. Its make me improve as a song writer.

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Chico, much appreciated!

@seanc.5310 Жыл бұрын

Well done!! 🙌🏻

@jt2465 Жыл бұрын

Clear and constructive

@zenrobotninja 2 жыл бұрын

Such a brilliant lesson thank you! I've watched many a video on Chord progressions but this was by far the best and brought it all together. Question: is the same for a minor key?

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Zen, glad it was helpful. In regards to the minor, the notes are the same but the functions are a little different - so if we're in the key of Am (i) then the iv chord is Dm and the V chord is Em (however we would typically make this dominant - E7) - so the substitutions of Am (i) is C (III - relative major) - the substitution for the Dm (iv) chord is still F, but F is now the VI chord, while E7 (V) B dim (ii) and G (VII) can all be considered chords that delay resolution or create a 'return' function back to Am. I'll definitely make another video soon focusing on how to write in minor keys

@zenrobotninja 2 жыл бұрын

@@htws thank you so much for the reply and looking forward to the video! Fantastic channel

@josephfinnegan3592 2 жыл бұрын

Tremendous lesson. I’ve never heard chord progressions taught this way. Makes so much sense! I will be subscribing. Thanks!

@BookerTDooku 2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree, this was so useful and the clear explanation of the function of the chords was incredibly useful.

@ZalexMusic 2 жыл бұрын

You are a very gifted teacher.

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thankyou, much appreciated!

@marcotp9 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful lesson ! Thank you very much

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome Marco, glad you liked it!

@WhiteBull_33 Жыл бұрын

Great video. Very talented player/singer/teacher

@tanzu7 2 жыл бұрын

one of the best videos about chord progressions I've ever watched

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tanju, amazing feedback! Glad it was helpful

@markjamesgoddard2247 2 жыл бұрын

I agree with Zen… top shout, nice one both🙌🎸🤛

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Mark!

@richardquatermass3824 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video. Thank you 🙏

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

You're most welcome Richard, thanks for the feedback!

@RickyConnelley 2 жыл бұрын

I’m a singer songwriter in Nashville, always trying to learn. They use Nashville numbers allot here. About to release my first album! This was a great video, subbed! 🤟

@htws 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the sub Ricky and best of luck releasing your debut album!