Motifs and Chords- The Fast and Easy Way to Make Music! [SONGWRITNG - MUSIC THEORY - LESSON]]

This is a lesson on how to write music. There is, of course, no ONE way to write, but this technique is simple, effective, and versatile. At the very worst, you’ll come up with a good starting point off of which to build a piece or song.

The stuff you’ll pretty much need to know is linked below:

Additionally, you’ll want to know a bit about borrowed chords to keep up with my rant at the end

If this video was too simple for you, I suggest expanding on it by studying reharmonization techniques. It’s a fun and productive way to expand past the redundancy of repeating motifs. I don’t have any videos on the topic (yet) but there is plenty of great info out there from Adam Neely and Aimee Nolte.

Additional Rants:
I didn’t expand on it, but that Bb Augmented chord is basically formed/implied when that melody (E-F#-D) is played on top of a Bb, since Bb-D-F# forms an Aug triad. In the recorded version, the electric guitars play a Bb and an F#, so like an Augmented Powerchord if such a thing exists. The bVI+ itself could be thought of as being borrowed from D Mixolydian b6. It could also easily be assumed as an inverted D Augmented: the voice leading within the chords goes from A to A#/Bb to B, and playing an Aug on the tonic is a good way to move to any chord In the key that has a natural 6th note in it, since the movement from the fifth to the aug fifth will naturally pull the listener to the 6th.

At 06:09 I mention the distance between B and C as a minor 2nd. In this arrangement though, the C occurs an octave higher, meaning we’d call it a minor 9th instead. But in my mind, there is not a giant difference between a 9th and a 2nd. A minor 2nd and a minor 9th “feel”, not sound, the same to me and create the same effect. They have a LOT of the same qualities and characteristics and it’s helpful to think of the intervals as “somewhat the same” even across octaves. The main difference between a m9 and a m2 though is the vast distance between the two clashing notes. When they’re close together (m2) the dissonance is overwhelming, but spacing them apart (m9) an octave makes them more digestable. But in my mind, they are still cut from the same cloth thing- the b2, just different aspects of it.

Also worth meditating on the general awkwardness yet diatonic versatility of a low 7th (B) paired with the a high (C) and what that COULD be. It COULD be part of an inverted C major 7 chord (unlikely), it could be part of an inverted G with an added 4th/11th, or an inverted Emb6… Take away the key and it could imply much more- B7b9, CmMaj7, Ab7#9…

Thanks to my Patreon supporters for making this video possible. I had fun making it and I really am happy with how it turned out, hopefully it gets you writing and shows you a bit more of how easy it can be to get something going.

Special thanks to these fine folks for supporting videos like this one:
Linas Orentas
Joe Buote
Nick White
Patrick Ryan
Christopher Swanson
John Arnold
Jon Reddish
Brandon Combs
Sebastian
Morgan M.
Lord of the Chords
Billyshes
Phillip Sharp
Don Watters
Bradley Bower
Marek Pawlowski

Table of Contents:
00:00 Intro
00:47 Motifs
01:45 Writing With Motifs
05:13 Modifying The Motif
07:25 Reharmonizing The Motif
09:05 Writing an Ostinato
12:13 Advanced Applications
14:23 Wrapping Up

[mikkorantanen]

Awesome stuff as always! Now add Bach´s Prime, Inversion, Retrograde, and Retrograde Inversion concept to existing motif and you have four "different" motifs out of one! 😉

[henriquet]

You got to be kidding. That's like one year worth of guitar lessons crammed into one video.

[gauraangsaxena]

Nothing related to the video, but just wanted to tell you that someone on Reddit asked for theory/songwriting resources. I linked your channel...and got a ton of upvotes. Many people seconded my opinion, and you seem to have so many people who appreciate you and owe you so much. You should feel proud man, hope you achieve all your dreams man

[JoseDeSous]

I burst out laughing at bake with jake, damn that was funny. Great stuff as always Jake!

[christopherdavis]

You are now a permanent resident in my musical journey

[malcolmbryant]

This bloke is brilliant. Takes the fundamentals and presents them in handy, digestible chunks. If every teacher was this good, the world would be awesome.

[adhamfathalla]

You are probably the best guitar theory YouTuber on this platform, and I think I speak for everyone when I say this, but your lessons pay off and benefit everyone no matter the level of education they’re at in whichever way. Thanks so much man for the effort you put in these videos and keep up the awesome work

[PRPWR]

I'm 36 and if I WISH I had a teacher half as good as you brother!! Thank you so much for all the hard work you put in. You can tell you really love it. I hope kids today don't take you for granted!!

[ARMYStrongHOOAH]

"How to make the perfect pop tart"....*fire alarm blaring*...."oh my God!" 🤣 I can't breathe right nos I'm laughing so hard

[phatman]

Jesus Christ man, you’re teaching and inspiring at the same time thank you for this bro

[joshuavalenzuela]

learning theory had always seemed too daunting. I remember watching your channel for the first time and hearing you call the tonic chord “home” and using other terms like “uncomfortable” etc. now I’m writing music and playing solos I’ve never thought possible. Thanks man, truly did change my life forever, though a stranger on my cellphone.

[hans_____]

I used to compose only when I was inspired to. With a waning emotional state, I was getting inspired less and less, so my composing basically came to a halt. For me, getting started is the hardest part and you've reminded me that I can brute force that part by just using skills instead of inspiration, so now I can compose again. Thank you!

[RingRoadSessions]

The metal version forced me to log in just to give your video a like and a comment. You're an amazing teacher. Thanks for all your work here

[chemicalBEES]

I'm loving the cutaways to metal and piano! The Netflix 'Bake with Jake' was gold 😄

[-JohnGalt-]

I love how you describe the process of making music. I find that inspiration is a two-way street. The music doesn't just flow from you and into the instrument, but is more like a feedback loop, with creation inspiring further creation. Getting started is the key! Thanks for your excellent videos!

[AnthonySmith-gukp]

Wow this is great. I've learned priceless information from you. The world Thanks you in one way or another. The toaster bit was hilarious.

[deedavis]

Jake, I’m an OLD uke player drawing from the good old days of the thirties and forties. But now I've switched my focus to jazz. I find your presentations not only give me valuable information of musical theory but bestow inspiration, as well. I’m awed by your brilliance and delighted with your fresh approach to every subject you cover. Carry on!

[luv]

Jake, your parents must be very proud!! Good stuff and thanks for making the world a better place.

[RemyLuciani]

The infinite choices and impossibility to pick one -> story of my musician life.

I really like the chef metaphor too. Let's cook. :)

Thank you for your work!

[RichardBreed]

A bunch of us agree that there's nothing in the world teaching in your style no one goes from a standardized Melody to the song you're amazing