Song Science #2: The Complete Songwriting Chord Guide

Name: Song Science #2: The Complete Songwriting Chord Guide
Rating: 4.7 (972 reviews)

Learn how to use advanced chords and understand practical music theory! Become a more advanced songwriter

Created byMusicians Inspired

Last updated 2/2023

English

What you'll learn

Break any songwriting muscle memory and write songs outside your comfort zone
Analyze advanced songs that use exotic chords
Build songs from scratch with advanced chord concepts

Course content

8 sections • 25 lectures • 2h 35m total length

Introduction2:21

The "Circle Windup" with The Supremes5:08
Lecture on how to execute the "Circle Windup". Understanding resolution and the strongest way chords like to move.
Slash Chords - Michael Jackson Did It!8:24
Learn what slash chords are and how they are used. Understand the most common slash chords and how slash chord notation is written out.
Pedal Point! How to Build Intensity from Van Halen to Eye of the Tiger6:12
Pedal point is used commonly in Classical and Jazz music. In this lecture, learn how pedal point is used in popular music.
Use this Simple Chord Quality Morphing Trick to get The Bright Alt Rock Sound5:38
Learn how to change chord qualities to create line cliches and other melodic effects.

What is a Secondary Dominant?6:16
Learn what secondary dominants are and how to write secondary dominant notation. By the end of this lecture you will understand how to read the following: V of ii, V of iii, V of IV, V of V, V of vi, V7 of ii, V7 of iii, V7 of IV, V7 of V, V7 of vi, V/ii, V/iii, V/IV, V/V, V/vi, V7/ii, V7/iii, V7/IV, V7/V, V7/vi.
Secondary Dominant Quiz
Secondary Dominants in Songs - Even Kanye West Did It?8:44
Learn how songwriters use secondary dominants in their songs. Secondary dominant chord song examples include: Only One - Kanye West, Call Them Brothers - Regina Spektor, In My Life - The Beatles, I Get Around - The Beach Boys, Puff the Magic Dragon - Peter, Paul, and Mary.

The 3 Types of Diminished Chords and the 5 Cracks They Fit In10:45
Learn what the 3 types of diminished chords are and how they're constructed.
Diminished Quiz
Diminished Chords in Songs - From John Mayer to Alicia Keys!7:45
Learn how diminished chords are used in songwriting. Song examples used: I Ain't Got You - Alicia Keys, Love On Top - Beyonce, Who Says - John Mayer.
The 7 Modes - from Brightest to Darkest9:12
Learn how the 7 modes ( Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian ) are constructed and what the difference is between all seven. Learn how modes range from dark to light.
Modes Quiz
These Are the 5 Modes You Can Write Complete Songs in12:08
Learn the 5 modes you can write complete songs in. See examples of songs and songwriters who write in a mode.
Modal Interchange1:22
Learn how modal interchange (borrowed chord) works! Understand how to borrow chords from other modes effectively. Modal Interchange Handout attached.
Neapolitan II and Lydian II8:24
Learn modal interchange with the ii (2 minor) chord.
The minor IV3:56
Learn modal interchange with the IV (4 Major) chord.
The minor V - Coldplay made it interesting7:30
Learn modal interchange with the V (Major five) chord
The Art of "Backcycling" bIII, bVI, and bVII10:23
Learn the first common way to modal interchange with the iii (3 minor), vi (6 minor) and viio (7 diminished chord).
Backcycle Quiz
Power Home with Parallels! bIII, bVI, and bVII10:10
Learn how to make powerful song turnarounds with parallel chords. Learn how to build energy with each chord.
bVII Cadence and Pre-Cadence3:05
Learn how the bVII chord works and how to use it as a cadence or pre-cadence chord.

Requirements

Have an instrument to write songs on (like piano or guitar)

Description

Songwriting is fun when you understand chords!

In this course we are going to go beyond the 6 chords and start understanding advanced songwriting technique.

When I say beyond the 6 chords, I don't mean 6 more chords. We are going to be studying tons and tons of chords in this course.

This goes way beyond the 1st course in this series.

We will go over multiple chord concepts with real examples showing how they are implemented. We will be breaking down songs and I'll be showing you how professional songwriters use advanced chord concepts.

You should take this course if you have an interest in how songs are created and if you're interested in songwriting.

I hope to see you on the inside!

Who this course is for:

Songwriters
Anyone interested in how songs are created

Song Science #2: The Complete Songwriting Chord Guide

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Welcome1 lecture • 2min

Getting Up to Speed! (Skip if You Understand 7 Chords and Circle of 5ths)2 lectures • 11min

The Chord Moves in "Mysterious" Ways4 lectures • 25min

Secondary Dominants2 lectures • 15min

Diminished Chords - Playing "the Cracks"11 lectures • 1hr 25min

The Very, Very Difficult Advanced Songwriting Quiz3 lectures • 13min

Conclusion1 lecture • 2min

Bonus!1 lecture • 2min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: