This guy analyzed 1300 chords and this is what he found..
April 11, 2013 7:35 PM Subscribe
This post was deleted for the following reason: Double. -- mathowie
As someone who dabbles with song writing, this is a great analysis, though I disagree with his song writing advice to basically always do what's most popular. The difference between a hook that is memorable and one that isn't is often the clever use of unusual chords. Obviously if you're writing a pop song, you probably don't want to get all chromatic, but just doing the big 4 chords constantly won't get you noticed. Any idiot can do that.
posted by empath at 7:43 PM on April 11, 2013
posted by empath at 7:43 PM on April 11, 2013
The whole website is great. I'm probably going to spend the weekend reading this. There's an app, too.
posted by empath at 7:45 PM on April 11, 2013
posted by empath at 7:45 PM on April 11, 2013
This is good, but seems pretty intuitive. I might be wrong, but as a musician it has taken me significantly less effort than analysing 1300 popular songs to see these patterns. These changes are known to most musicians, and knowing the common ones is essential if you are to play with others on a regular basis.
Despite that, the links are neat, and the apps look useful. I think I'll buy it for my daughter who is more likely to be inspired by a good visual iPad app than her old man barking out standard changes at her!
posted by salishsea at 7:53 PM on April 11, 2013
Despite that, the links are neat, and the apps look useful. I think I'll buy it for my daughter who is more likely to be inspired by a good visual iPad app than her old man barking out standard changes at her!
posted by salishsea at 7:53 PM on April 11, 2013
As far as I can see there is nothing new here for someone who understands diatonic harmony.
Yay theory.
posted by unSane at 7:54 PM on April 11, 2013
Yay theory.
posted by unSane at 7:54 PM on April 11, 2013
Though I admit I was surprised that F and G chords are more common than C in C major, there's still nothing unexpected in his results.
On preview, I am saying what everyone above me is.
posted by Obscure Reference at 7:55 PM on April 11, 2013
On preview, I am saying what everyone above me is.
posted by Obscure Reference at 7:55 PM on April 11, 2013
I've only read part one, but nothing in it would be remotely suprising to anyone who's studied music theory (which the author obviously hasn't).
Everything he found is pretty much what music theory tells you that you should.
posted by moorooka at 7:55 PM on April 11, 2013
Everything he found is pretty much what music theory tells you that you should.
posted by moorooka at 7:55 PM on April 11, 2013
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And a Part 3
posted by mathowie at 7:38 PM on April 11, 2013