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Author Topic: How can I make my progressions and chords in general more interesting?  (Read 9402 times)

Shags

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How can I make my progressions and chords in general more interesting?
« on: January 29, 2016, 04:35:32 am »
Hi all,

It seems that every time I start producing a song, I draw out 4/8/16 bars, and then I stick to the grid at 4/4 usually. I notice bigger producers seem to variate off this a lot, but still match drum beats, other synths, and bass to the main chords/lead. I think my music could benefit a lot if I could snap out of this habit of just drawing one chord per bar. Any suggestions on improving in this aspect? What should I do?

Thanks!   :)
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Arktopolis

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Re: How can I make my progressions and chords in general more interesting?
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2016, 01:06:18 pm »
Absolutely nothing wrong with starting to write a song like that in my opinion. When you have that spine, you can start to vary the chords inside the bars by

* creating inversions with the bassline: for example, say you have a progression IV-I in C major, so there's one bar of F and one of C. In the first bar, instead of using just a whole note F in the bass, write F (half note) A (half note), or even F (whole note) A(quarter note) B(quarter note), so you get a little melodic line in the bass.

* thinking of the highest voice in your chord progression as a melody line. You can later move this to another instrument if you like, or just keep it in the pad/piano/whatever as a sort of counter-melody.

* "visiting" other chords during the bar: let's say you have that two-bar IV-I chord progression. Inside the first bar, you could write a small sub-progression IV-I6 (so in C you'd have an E in the bass)-IV

* varying the rhythm. The chord doesn't have to change on the first beat!

Also, check out the other threads on this forum about the topic, I think there's already a lot of good info about the theory behind chord progressions.
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vinceasot

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Re: How can I make my progressions and chords in general more interesting?
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2016, 01:21:03 pm »
its about music theory and taking risks/experimenting with your notes, this is where the creativity muscle must be developed though nothing but practice

try and study some of the records out there that inspire you and take from it and make it to your own
« Last Edit: January 29, 2016, 01:35:13 pm by vinceasot »
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Xan

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Re: How can I make my progressions and chords in general more interesting?
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2016, 03:49:16 pm »
Quote from: Arktopolis on January 29, 2016, 01:06:18 pm
Absolutely nothing wrong with starting to write a song like that in my opinion. When you have that spine, you can start to vary the chords inside the bars by

* creating inversions with the bassline: for example, say you have a progression IV-I in C major, so there's one bar of F and one of C. In the first bar, instead of using just a whole note F in the bass, write F (half note) A (half note), or even F (whole note) A(quarter note) B(quarter note), so you get a little melodic line in the bass.

* thinking of the highest voice in your chord progression as a melody line. You can later move this to another instrument if you like, or just keep it in the pad/piano/whatever as a sort of counter-melody.

* "visiting" other chords during the bar: let's say you have that two-bar IV-I chord progression. Inside the first bar, you could write a small sub-progression IV-I6 (so in C you'd have an E in the bass)-IV

* varying the rhythm. The chord doesn't have to change on the first beat!

Also, check out the other threads on this forum about the topic, I think there's already a lot of good info about the theory behind chord progressions.

What this guy said: typically it's all about the rhythm of your piece that really gives it the swing you're looking for.
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Mussar

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Re: How can I make my progressions and chords in general more interesting?
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2016, 05:05:48 pm »
Quote from: Shags on January 29, 2016, 04:35:32 am
Any suggestions on improving in this aspect? What should I do?


You should be looking for songs that inspire you and trying to figure out HOW they wrote their progressions, WHAT notes they used, WHEN the chords play and WHERE they are in the bars, and WHY they chose those chords. Take ten songs that have chord progressions you absolutely adore and try to recreate them with a synth that uses just saw waves, or a piano emulator. Examine the MIDI and figure it out.
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Marrow Machines

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Re: How can I make my progressions and chords in general more interesting?
« Reply #5 on: January 31, 2016, 12:56:09 am »
Transitional chords are huge for me. I tend to center my bass lines and melodies around blue's, minor, sort of feel. then I throw in more of the iconic notes that make the scale it's name to cause tension or transition into the end of the bar or section.

Look into resolution as well.

Look into modes.(very common and effective)

It's tough to say what is interesting. You just gotta write something that makes you move man. Chances are it might make others move as well.
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Final Kindgom

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Re: How can I make my progressions and chords in general more interesting?
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2016, 03:48:19 am »
Learning some theory will definitely help you. Finding secondary dominant chords will your progression more interesting. Sorry my answer doesn't directly tell you what to do, but if you learn some theory (specifically about secondary dominant chords), you'll achieve what you're looking for.
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greek_steve

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Re: How can I make my progressions and chords in general more interesting?
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2016, 08:08:14 pm »
A good way is to make interesting chord progressions is to modulate.

here is a song that uses several different chords and scales. Electronic of course.

https://soundcloud.com/user28006564/toids-pt6

(0:00-0:07)
Intro sounds like powerchords...only it is but it's not. Its counter melody with an added 5th inside the synthesizer.

(0:07-0:22)
- Same instrument. However, it modulates to the E Phyrgian scale. This scale adds a different contrast. The chords rock back and forth.

(0:22-0:30)
- Next part is more of a transitional bar using jazzy chords; chord extensions in G major.

(0:30-0:45)
-Next part is arguably in G-major or E-minor. Same thing really. Rising bass.  Top melody rocking back and forth.

(0:45-1:00)
- Same chords. Copied and pasted onto a different instrument though. Added a counter melody. 

https://soundcloud.com/user28006564/toids-pt6

People underestimate the power of music theory. Use that to your advantage. Keep on learning.
 "Learn the rules like a pro, break them like an artist" - idk.
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