How to pick up chords for a song?

In order to learn how to pick up chords for a song, you do not need to have absolute pitch, it’s enough to be able to play a little on something. In this case, it will be the guitar - the most common and most accessible musical instrument. Any song consists of a well-constructed algorithm that combines couplets, chorus and bridge.

First you need to determine which key is written in the song. Most often, the first and last chords are the key of the piece, which can be major or minor. But this is not an axiom and you need to be very careful. In other words, we determine from which chord the song will begin.

What chords harmonize the song?

You need to learn to distinguish the trivia, in one particular key, to know how to pick up chords for a song. There are three kinds of triad: tonic "T", subdominant "S" and dominant "D".

The “T” tonic is a chord (function) that usually ends a piece of music or a piece. "D" dominant - a function that has the most sharp sound among the chords. Dominant to transition to tonic. The “S” subdominant is a chord that has a softer sound and is less stable than a dominant.

How to determine the tone of the song?

To find out how to pick up chords for a song, for a start, you need to determine its tonality, and for that you need to learn tonic. Tonic is the most stable note (level) in the work. For example, if you stop the song on this note, you will get the impression of the completeness of the work (final, ending).

Under this note, we select a major and minor chord and alternately play them, singing the melody of the song. At the hearing, we determine which fret (major, minor) corresponds to the song, and select the desired one from two chords. Now, we know the tone of the song and the first chord. It is recommended to study the tablature (symbols of musical literacy) for the guitar in order to be able to record the selected chords on paper.

Selection of chords to the melody

Suppose the key of the song you pick up Am (in A minor). Based on this, while listening to the song, we try to connect the first chord Am with all major chords of this tonality (there can be four in C minor, C, E, F and G). We listen to which one is better placed on the melody and, having chosen, we write it down.

Suppose this is E (E major). Listening to the song again, we determine that the next chord should be a minor fret. Now, we substitute all minor chords of this key under E (Em, Am or Dm.). Am seems to be the most suitable. And here we have three chords (Am, E, Am.), Which are quite enough for a couplet of a simple song.

Repeat the same sequence of chord selection in the chorus of the song. The bridge can be written in parallel key.

Over time, experience and a problematic topic will come about how to pick up chords for a song will become trivial for you. You will know the most common chord sequences and will be able to reduce the time to search for the required triad (chord), literally automating this process. When learning, the main thing is not to make thermonuclear physics out of music, and then you will not see anything difficult in the selection of chords to the song.

Listen to good music and watch a cool clip:

Watch the video: How To Choose Chords Songwriting 101 (March 2024).

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