Creating drama

Music Lesson: Chord Progressions and Melodic Structure

Introduction to the Verse

The verse of the song fluctuates between D minor and A minor.

• Important Note: The A minor chord used here is not the usual A minor.
• This is a regular A minor with the bass on C, creating a very different sound.
• The difference, for me, is that this A minor is traveling somewhere.

Chord Progression

• D minor
• Traveling A minor (as I call it)
• A major:
  • Instead of returning straight back to the root of A major, it feels static.

To create a sense of movement and uncertainty, I often shift to a chord with C# on the bass. When you put the three chords together, there's an element of unpredictability.

• Challenge: The two A chords share the same bass note, which can feel boring.
• Approach: When considering harmony, I aim to avoid repetition and think about how to move the song forward creatively.

The Next Part of the Verse

The next section features a progression of chords:

• G minor
• D minor
• A minor

Variation in Bass Notes

• The bass for the G minor to D minor progression is on F, not D. This change alters the sound significantly.
• Transitioning directly to the D might not be horrible, but I believe it's not as effective as the previous approach.

Reflecting Chord Structures

• These chords mirror the first two chords but are positioned differently on the piano.
• This mirroring symmetry is pleasing, and I am a strong proponent of symmetry in music.

Melody Overview

Consider the melody with the following lyrics:

"Come and hold my head, I wanna contact the living. Not sure I understand this role I've been given."

Range of the Song

This song is incredibly rangy. The lowest note is an A, while the highest note climbs substantially higher.

• Chorus Attempt:
  • "I just want to feel real love, feel the home that I live in. Cause I got too much life running through my veins, going to waste."
  • This spans over three octaves, quite a gap!

Interestingly, I believe this is the only song Rob and I have written together that features such a massive range, and perhaps he's never quite forgiven me for it.

Emotional Contrast

• The verse is moody and introspective, whereas the chorus delivers a hopeful, uplifting feel.
• The verse is in a minor key, using sombre chords, while the chorus shifts to a major key: B flat, F, C.

Satisfaction from Chord Progressions

These major chords may not be particularly original, but they work effectively in the context of the verse.

Memorable Melody

When we arrived at the chorus, I felt pleased not only with the chords but also with the melody:

"I just want to feel real love, you're the home that I live in."

I appreciated the symmetry and pattern of that melody, as there's beauty in shape. A great example is "Hey Jude," which features a captivating melodic path.

Conclusion

In choruses, it's essential to have a melody that possesses an interesting shape to resonate with listeners.