DONATIONS: http://www.andrewwasson.com/donations.php

MORE LESSONS: http://www.creativeguitarstudio.com/

Search Andrew Wasson.com for FREE lesson Handouts.
This Video: September 27, 2011 | Search Videos by Title/Date.
GO TO: http://www.andrewwasson.com/recent_posts/2011/09_september/sep_2011.php#sep27

Andrew Wasson of Creative Guitar Studio answers a viewers question…

Q: I like instrumental rock and metal guitar the best with guitarists like; Paul Gilbert, Tony MacAlpine and Greg Howe ranking among my favorites. I’m no-place near the level of these guys, but I do enjoy writing this music. My problem is, I write melodies first & I can’t get the chords that go in the background. Could you consider making a video around this topic of, “Matching Melodies to Chords.”
Brian — Vancouver, CANADA

A: When melodies are composed before chord progressions during songwriting, there are ways through theory and ways through trial and error that can come together to help musicians compose a set of chord changes that can be performed behind the pre-established melody. To do this sort of thing quickly, you’ll need some back-ground knowledge in music theory, combined with experience from learning the harmonies found in other songs. Keep in mind that being able to draw from your experiences, (learning other people’s songs), is paramount in order to have the complete set of skills required to be able to quickly target chords that sound good behind your pre-established melody. Have a look at some examples I’ve created for this lesson. They outline a number of key points that should help you in your quest for, “Matching Melodies to Chords.”

The complete lesson article for this video will be available on the Creative Guitar Studio website shortly. Follow me on Twitter for lesson posting announcements:

____________________________________
The NEW Zazzle Products page:
http://www.zazzle.com/creativeguitarstudio/gifts
____________________________________

Andrew’s Official Q & A Guitar Blog Website:
http://www.andrewwasson.com
(the weekly Podcast is posted here)

Andrew’s “Video GuitarBlog” YouTube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/guitarblogupdate

The Creative Guitar Studio Website:
http://www.creativeguitarstudio.com/

Follow Andrew on Blogspot:
http://creativeguitarstudio.blogspot.com/

Follow on Twitter for new lesson announcements:

MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/andrewwasson

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Andrew-Wasson/76585035288

_____________________________________

source

By: wildsPosted on Categories : Categories : Creating A Hit Song, How To Write Soul Music, How To Write Soul Music Songs, Most Popular Soul Songwriters, Motown Songwriters, R And B Songwriters, Self Publish SongwriterTags:

38 Replies to “SONGWRITING: Matching Chords to Melody”

  1. Thank you. I got some ideas from your graphics. However, this lesson would have been better using two acoustic guitars. The electric guitar distorts the melody too much to get a clear idea of how the melody and harmony interact.

  3. This lesson is to complex for him . you have to start with easy lesons. You forgot to explain the most  Important thing, is the Chords belong to the game order.

  5. Thanks so much! I've been learning chord melodies of jazz standards for a few months. Ive been parroting other people's arrangements. I decided i should develop my own arrangements and think it through myself. But i was having a hard time fleshing out the chords over the melody in a musical way. This helps a lot.

  9. Why do you choose a chord that the note is its fifth note? I think that the third note shows what type of chord it is, whether it's major or minor chord. (ex.2)

  20. I have an electric guitar that i never got over the learning curve with. You just inspired me to pick it up and learn. Thanks for unknowingly making me really happy this morning 🙂
    Have a good day, Cheers!

  21. Videos you've made such as this one really generate some ideas in my mind, also makes me look at how I should improve my technique by practicing more. Thanks man!

  25. I have learned more about guitar from this guy than any other person in the 15 years I have been playing. I'm totally hooked to his videos. Great job Andrew!

  32. During the first example, you chose to look at it in the key of A-Minor by looking at the tones building the Am7 chord. Would I be wrong to look at it in the key of C-Major? Since the tones that Am7 consists of is EXACTLY the same as C6.
    Thanks 🙂

  35. @SlyCooper92,

    I'm using a "Peavey Bandit 112" on the amp's stock distortion setting. No distortion, or effects pedals were used. I did add some reverb (later on) when mixing it in Adobe Audition 3.0.

    Thanks for watching,
    Andrew Wasson
    Creative Guitar Studio

  38. Thanks for the Great Positive Feedback on this video. Glad you liked it. Please click the "LIKE" thumbs up button and share the lesson with all your pals! HUGE Thanks once again… All the best in your guitar playing… Andrew

Comments are closed.