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SONGWRITING

Matching Chords to Melody


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zORHSgJni_A
By Andrew Wasson
Visit: www.creativeguitarstudio.com

SECTION ONE:
Trial and Error vs. Music Theory...
the role of chord harmony behind melody:
When melodies are composed before a songs chord changes are established there
are several ways to bring in chords behind that melody. Through theory and other
ways, (including trial and error), musicians can quickly compose chord changes that
can be performed behind any pre-established melody.
To do this quickly, youll need some back-ground knowledge in the following areas:

- Music Theory

- Song Experience (learning the harmonies found in other songs).

Music Theory:
Understanding music theory allows for a musician to know; the key they are in, what
chords are both inside and outside of the key and how consonance & dissonance
might work to establish unique sounds.

Song Experience:
The more songs you know how to play from memory and the more transcription that
a musician does, presents a wealth of ideas - ready to apply. Without actual song
experience, it is very difficult to quickly test and operate ideas.

Creative Guitar Studio 2011

Matching Chords to Melody


Page (2)

SECTION TWO:

Establishing a Simple Example Melody andEXAMPLES


Optional Chords...

EXAMPLES

In the examples below we see how a simple melody can have chords layered behind it.

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Example #1b). Layered


with an A Minor & G Major harmony behind it.
Example #1b).
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Matching Chords to Melody

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SECTION
THREE:
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Chord Progressions Behind Faster Melodic Runs...


Example #2a). Fast sixteenth-note run example.

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EXAMPLES - Artist

Page 2 of 3
Generated using the Power Tab Editor by Brad larsen. http://powertab.guitarnetwork.org

Example #2b). Layered with multiple chord changes across the run.
D Example #2b).

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Chords to Melody
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SECTION FOUR:
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Generated using the Power Tab Editor by Brad larsen. http://powertab.guitarnetwork.org

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Generated using the Power Tab Editor by Brad larsen. http://powertab.guitarnetwork.org

Creative Guitar Studio 2011

Matching Chords to Melody


Page (5)

SECTION FOUR continued:


Working with intervals that operate from arpeggios...
EXAMPLES
- Artistrun melodic example with another chord harmony.
Example #3c).
Arpeggio
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(5)

Creative Guitar Studio 2011

Matching Chords to Melody


Page (6)

A Section

- Video Opening Guitar Jam

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(9)

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Insanity is doing the same things over & over again, and expecting different results

- Albert Einstein
Thank you for your donations & Generous Support - Andrew Wasson
Creative Guitar Studio 2011

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