Songwriting Techniques with Chords

Learn about writing songs with chords, and how altering chords can add depth to your music. Discover many ways to use chords from harmonizing a melody to forming an entire song.

Introduction

• Welcome
• What you should know before watching
• How to use the exercise files

1. Harmonize a Melody

• Harmonize a melody
• Reharmonize a melody: Change the bass
• Reharmonize a melody: 7th chords
• Reharmonize a melody: Minor chords
• Reharmonize a melody: Minor key

2. Change the Harmonic Rhythm

• Change the harmonic rhythm
• Variations on harmonic rhythm
• Passing chords
• Syncopation of harmonic rhythm
• Harmonize a melody through a bass line

3. Treat the Melody as a Chord Extension

• Harmonize a melody: Major 7th
• Harmonize the melody: Minor 7th, part 1
• Harmonize a melody: Minor 7th, part 2
• Harmonize a melody as a 9th
• Harmonize a melody as an 11th
• Harmonize a melody as a 13th

4. Chord Progressions in Song Form

• Move from a verse to a chorus
• Move from a chorus to a bridge
• Turnarounds

Conclusion

• Next steps