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In a forum thread we were discussing the difficulties of learning music theory and how to apply it to writing songs. I for one would like to see more discussion and sharing of musical skills at MacJams so that we can all become better at song craft.
In an effort to take the bull by the horns I've prepared this little primer on chord inversions and how they can be used in song writing. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CONSIDER ADDING THEIR OWN ENTRIES ABOUT SONGWRITING AND MUSIC THEORY. If we begin sharing ideas about the art of music theory we'll soon have a collection that will help us all write better music.
In the audio example I begin with a chord:
G Major: G B D
The notes of the chord are listed from lowest (G) to highest (D). By changing the order of the notes by raising the lowest to the top we then have a 1st inversion of the G Major chord:
G Major (1st inversion): B D G
By once raising the lowest note to the highest position once again we create the 2nd inversion of the G Major chord:
G Major (2nd inversion): D G B
In the audio example I then demonstrate how chord inversions can be used to add color to a chord progression by changing the melody of the bass line.
I begin with the chord progression:
C Major: C E G
E minor: E G B
D minor: D F A
G Major: G B D
C Major: C E G
With no chord inversions, the bass melody is:
Chord Progression: C Em Dm G C
Bass Melody: C E D G C
By using the 1st inversion of the D minor chord we keep the same chord progression but change the melody of the bass line:
Chord Progression: C Em Dm G C
D minor (1st inversion): F A D
Bass Melody: C E F G C
To push things further and create a decending bass melody further chord inversions can be employed:
Chord Progression: C Em Dm G C
C Major (2nd inversion): G C E
E minor (1st inversion): G B E
D minor (1st inversion): F A D
G Major (ist inversion): B D G
Bass Melody: G G F B C
I hope someone finds this useful!
In an effort to take the bull by the horns I've prepared this little primer on chord inversions and how they can be used in song writing. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO CONSIDER ADDING THEIR OWN ENTRIES ABOUT SONGWRITING AND MUSIC THEORY. If we begin sharing ideas about the art of music theory we'll soon have a collection that will help us all write better music.
In the audio example I begin with a chord:
G Major: G B D
The notes of the chord are listed from lowest (G) to highest (D). By changing the order of the notes by raising the lowest to the top we then have a 1st inversion of the G Major chord:
G Major (1st inversion): B D G
By once raising the lowest note to the highest position once again we create the 2nd inversion of the G Major chord:
G Major (2nd inversion): D G B
In the audio example I then demonstrate how chord inversions can be used to add color to a chord progression by changing the melody of the bass line.
I begin with the chord progression:
C Major: C E G
E minor: E G B
D minor: D F A
G Major: G B D
C Major: C E G
With no chord inversions, the bass melody is:
Chord Progression: C Em Dm G C
Bass Melody: C E D G C
By using the 1st inversion of the D minor chord we keep the same chord progression but change the melody of the bass line:
Chord Progression: C Em Dm G C
D minor (1st inversion): F A D
Bass Melody: C E F G C
To push things further and create a decending bass melody further chord inversions can be employed:
Chord Progression: C Em Dm G C
C Major (2nd inversion): G C E
E minor (1st inversion): G B E
D minor (1st inversion): F A D
G Major (ist inversion): B D G
Bass Melody: G G F B C
I hope someone finds this useful!
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michael2
i don't have the time to listen to the whole thing, but this is awesome. i downloaded it for future consumption. i try to mix things up, but i am not musically astute at all. this is a great idea. thanks for posting this.