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Hi Everyone,

I'm going live at 4PM Pacific Time to attempt to write a complete - - thing. I'm calling it a thing because it might not be a song - it might not even be good! But this is what it looks like to practice writing music.

The goal is to run through writing a chord progression, a melody, maybe a bass line and drum parts - then crafting the "thing" into a verse and chorus - maybe even a whole song. We'll basically follow it and see where it leads us.

Then I'll move on to dummy lyrics and how to take those, organize them, and start writing "real" lyrics.

It should be fun - it could be weird! You never know exactly whats going to happen when you sit down to write music, but thats what makes it fun!

Other helpful links:
Scott's Recommended Lesson Plan
Searchable Lesson Archive
How to Join the Community Forum
Scott's Jam Tracks
Scott's Main YouTube Channel

Files

Songwriting | Start to Finish

Comments

Richard Stapleton

Love the long videos lately, they're great to watch whilst I'm working. Just wondering how you knew which chords can be minor/major 7 so quickly? I can work out the chords available based on the notes of the key, but it takes me a while. Do you just "know" which chords can become 7th chords or is there a trick to remembering it?

Scott Paul Johnson

Here is how I remember: All minor chords in a major OR minor key can be m7 chords. Bam. That one is easy. In a major key, the I and IV can be maj7, and the V has its own unique kind of 7th chord reserved for V chords. Right there, thats only three different kinds of chords to remember. The m7b5, also known as the half diminished, is reserved for the VII in a major key. Minor keys have all the same chords, in the same order, just calling the vi chord the i chord all the other chords just line up in order. When you're dealing with harmonic minor, the V becomes major, AND it becomes that "special 7th chord for V chords"

Tim Rowley

Great video. Really enjoyed watching this one!