Transcript SIS Learning Series: 3-in-1 Creative Tools

SIS Learning Series:
3-in-1 Creative Tools
Using Song Analysis
Instructors:
Chris Klimecky
Evan Hulse
Griffin
Part 1:
SIMPLE TRICKS TO SPICE UP
YOUR CHORD PROGRESSIONS
Griffin
TERMINOLOGY
Diatonic: Involving the notes of the scale without chromatic alteration
Chromatic: Using notes not belonging to the diatonic scale
Step Movement: Stepping up and down by a single note in the scale
Common Tone Movement: Altering a single note of the current chord
Harmonic Movement: Following the circle of fifths/fourths
ROMAN NUMERAL ANALYSIS
Why? It frees us from consideration of key signatures and can be
applied to any key or scale.
Upper case represent Major chords: In the standard major scale I, IV,
and V are major chords
Lower case represents minor chords: In the standard major scale ii, iii,
and vi are minor chords
EXAMPLE IN THE KEY OF C
Notes of the scale:
Chords:
I
ii
iii
IV
V
vi
C
C major
D minor
E minor
F major
G major
A minor
D
E
F
G
A
B
STEP MOVEMENT
Steps up and down the diatonic scale
Common examples:
vi V IV V vi
My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
Rolling in the Deep - Adele
COMMON-TONE MOVEMENT
Changes a single note to create a new chord
Common examples:
I vi IV
Daylight - Maroon 5
Walking In Memphis – Marc Cohn
Complicated – Avril Lavigne
HARMONIC MOVEMENT
Following the circle of fifths/fourths
Common examples:
iii vi ii V I
You Can't Hurry Love - Phil Collins
iii vi ii V (IV)
Goodnight Saigon - Billy Joel
HARMONIC MOVEMENT
ii V I
versus
IV V I
ii V I
Generally weaker because of minor chord
More common in Jazz and Classical music
IV V I
Generally bolder because all major chords
More common in Rock, Country, and Gospel
FEEL OF MOVEMENT TYPES
Step movement is gentler and less dynamic
Common tone movement is a little more dynamic
Harmonic movement is very dynamic
CONTRAST AND DYNAMICS
Consider using different types of movement to create
dynamics and contrast between sections.
For example, if you were to use predominantly step
movement in your verses, consider using harmonic
movement in your chorus for contrast.
Bridges should always be a departure from the rest of the
song, so in this case it would make sense to use more
common tone movement in the bridge.
STANDARD DEVIATIONS
Don’t be limited to the Diatonic scale in which you
begin. There are other chords that you can use. Here
are a few examples:
• IV to iv shift
• V of the V (V/V)
• bVII (subdominant)
IV to the iv shift
Shifting from the major IV to the minor iv can add an
interesting twist to an otherwise common progression
Common examples:
Jar of Hearts – Christina Perri
Wake Me Up When September Ends –
Green Day
V of the V
Replacing a minor chord with a Dominant seventh
creates a bolder sound with more dynamic direction
Referred to as the five of the five but can actually be
the five of the two, the five of the three, etc.
Common examples:
Piano Man – Billy Joel
Good Day Sunshine - Beatles
bVII (subtonic)
Can be used to replace the dominant V chord
Can replace the diminished chord in the harmonic
movement chain
IV vii° iii vi ii V I
becomes
IV bVII iii vi ii V I
NOTE: The bVII uses the same notes as the vii° except the root is a half step lower. It uses the same third and fifth.
CHORD SUBSTITUTIONS
Common chord substitutions
IV iv
Five of…
V
bVII
ii V
ii
IV
vi ii
IV ii
iii vi
chain them together iii vi ii V
V7 I
bII7 I (Tritone substitute)
II V
VI ii
III vi
III VI II V
SIS Learning Series:
3-in-1 Creative Tools
Using Song Analysis
Featuring:
Chris Klimecky
Evan Hulse
Griffin