How To Write A Sea Shanty Song or Pirate Music

One important note I neglected to mention in the rhythm part of this video! If you DO decide to write in regular 4/4 (with no shuffle or swing) then I HIGHLY recommend you utilize the GALLOP. An eighth note followed by two sixteenth notes. This pattern works very fine for that oceanic rhythmic motion without relying on triple meter or swing.

If this lesson was confusing to you, try these other lessons I’ve done first:

A huge thank you to my Patreon supporters for sponsoring these videos. The reason you don't see me doing ads in the middle of my videos is thanks to them!

Table of Contents:
00:00– A Self-Referencing Shanty
00:42- Intro
01:21- Rhythmic Suggestions
02:51- Scale Suggestions
04:56- Orchestration
06:40- Chord Changes
08:37- Hear The Dorian Difference!
09:50- Additional Aspects

[kitsovereign]

When you talked about instrumentation, I'm surprised you didn't mention the accordion!

[reith_kichards]

best music channel on youtube; no advertisment, no clickbait, just music

[moistness]

That was a smooth transition from the intro

[rebeccaschade]

It's important to remember that most sea shanties were literally work songs, and the rhythm was important for timing things like pulling on ropes etc. There's no way it couldn't have had a shuffle feel to it.

[CostasCTS]

Beer-sloshing effect, my new favorite way to describe a shuffle 😅 Thanks Jake!

[ChrisMuellerMusic]

„A pirates first love is the c“... I‘m still giggling 🤭

[echoden_]

It takes a special kind of talent to present this in such a slick and easy to watch way. It's always a joy to see someone doing something they are made for

[ZerSpinn]

Thanks for making this video. I can now lose the two friends I still have.

[poke-champ]

finally I hear someone else calling dorian adventurous

[SignalsMusicStudio]

Check the description for an important note on the rhythmic possibilities! And yes, the locrian video WILL post this month- I’ve had a lot of issues with finishing it and started many projects in between, but I’m happy with the music and the track will be available on itunes/Spotify/etc. stay tuned =)

[glennpagemusic]

Another theory: The shuffle suggests the chopping of the waves, or the bow of a ship pitching against them. 😉

[Barakon]

1-2 1-2 could also work, because it’s the beat of when you’re waiting, sitting, or otherwise need to stim.

[sarafelker]

I'm writing making a sea shanty for chemistry class and while my tune is unoriginal, this really helped me understand the rhythms and instruments I should be using. Thanks!

[Jath]

"Immediately it has more of...like...a 'Beer Sloshing" effect to it... there is no better way to explain it really. You are a benefit to all of humankind. You speak very easily to the thing that we all pursue. You reignite the original joy of song and empower us to pursue it...simply because you love it all so much. I severely appreciate your work. Cheers.

[Scarecrow]

"You won't find those aristocratic instruments on a pirate ship."

*Davy Jones has entered the chat*

[jehmarxx]

Please do one on the medieval genre, both early and late medieval.

[Necrocidal]

Gonna start composing in a scale of Arrr Dorian

[shadcovert]

I can't wait to see what this man looks like in 12 years.

[ckannan]

You have a real talent for what you do. Very few people can simplify and explain this stuff. You strike the perfect balance between explaining the “rules” of how it is done, and showing how to use those rules to actually create new things.

[nertia]

For me it feels like the various rhythms for sea shanties come from the motions of the ocean, whether they be calm and relatively still, chaotic and dangerous, or something in between xD