Quick Songwriting Tips: Change up the Distance Between Your Chords | Tip 8/8 | Berklee Online

When we talk about harmonic rhythm we mean the distance between the chords you’re playing. Most songwriters use symmetrical harmonic rhythms, where each chord is spaced evenly from the next chord. In this video, Berklee Online instructor Shane Adams talks about changing up the rhythms of your chords. One way of doing this is to play an asymmetrical rhythm. You can play one chord for one beat, the next chord for three beats, etc. This works especially well with four-chord patterns, six-chord patterns, and eight-chord patterns. When you do this in your songs, you’re doing something a majority of other songwriters aren’t doing, and if you can make it sound good, it will make your song stand out!

About Shane Adams:
Shane Adams is a twice GRAMMY nominated music educator, and award-winning producer, and songwriter. Shane is president of Artist Accelerator and is a founding instructor for Berklee Online, where he has taught lyric writing and songwriting since 2003. He teaches several courses at Berklee Online, including Music Production, Songwriting, Orchestration, Music Theory, Harmony, Ear Training, and Arranging.

Shane is also a featured songwriter and instructor for the Taylor Swift Education Center at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum where he received their TOP TEN HITMAKER award for 2014.

About Berklee Online:
Berklee Online is the continuing education division of Berklee College of Music, delivering online access to Berklee's acclaimed curriculum from anywhere in the world, offering online courses, certificate programs, and degree programs. Contact an Academic Advisor today:
1-866-BERKLEE (US)
1-617-747-2146 (international callers)

Shane Adams | Songwriting Tips | Free Songwriting Lesson | Online Songwriting Lesson | Songwriting Tutorial | Berklee | Berklee Online | Berklee College of Music

[davdc]

A wealth of knowledge in 8episodes thank you so much

[ThandoTakane]

I'm so loving you... your energy puts a smile on my face while learning valuable information as a singer songwriter.

[Blue_rd]

This series of tips was very informative. Thank you!

[christinarichard]

I never thought of this! Thanks for the idea!!

[michellewright]

That's a great idea. So simple, but makes a world of difference. Thanks for sharing it so clearly!

[jennesaldo]

When he played the first chord progressionn I am singing Don't Stop Believing hahaha

[Hmmarv]

This guy is awesome. Ive been watching all these videos. Most of the stuff i already know but he explains it so good and full of fun. He should have clips of 20/30 minutes. Diving in more in depth topics on songwriting.