How to Write Songs - Picking the Perfect Chords

Learn to write simple yet powerful chord progressions for your next song!

Want a musical sketchpad with built-in music theory that helps you create beats, songs, and musical snippets? Check out HOOKTHEORY:

As songwriters we often start with a chord progression, using it as a framework to add lyrics, melodies, textures and embellishments. But one question continually pops up is ‘what chord do I choose next?’

In this video we look at the functions and relationships of chords in a diatonic system, to give you more control over the choices you make and more variety as the song develops. We break down a simple yet effective process for writing chord progressions that doesn’t feel random, doesn’t feel repetitive and gives you total control over the direction you'd like to take your composition. Finally, we look at some great substitutions to spice up your song and support your lyrical message.

SECTIONS
00:00 - Intro
00:50 - Common Questions
01:28 - Diatonic Systems
03:53 - Functions of Chords
05:22 - Blues in G
06:41 - Chord Substitutions
12:23 - Let It Be
14:57 - Hallelujah
17:50 - Summary and Wrap-up

MUSIC IN THIS VIDEO
'Let It Be' by Lennon-McCartney - EMI - 1970
'Hallelujah' by Leonard Cohen - Columbia - 1984

ABOUT BEN

Ben's passion for music and creativity stretches across multiple disciplines and art-forms. He is a founding member and songwriter / lap-slide guitarist for one of Australia's best and most bearded country-bluegrass-folk bands, THE GREEN MOHAIR SUITS. To date the Mohairs have released 4 full-length albums and tour both nationally and overseas.

Ben is also the Founder and Head Producer of SILAMOR STUDIOS, a boutique studio specialising in Composition for Film, TV and Interactive Media. He writes extensively across various instrumental and lyric-based genres and has been commissioned for major projects by Adobe, Cathay Pacific and Audible. He also currently releases original songs under the name SILAMOR.

Ben is passionate about education and has taught song and lyric writing as well as film composition for JMC Academy and the Australian Institute of Music. He also designs and regularly facilitates workshops on creative process and innovation.

Links to Ben's music are here:

The Green Mohair Suits

SILAMOR

SOME MORE FROM KEPPIE & 'HOW TO WRITE SONGS'

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[dwaynegayle]

Hard to exaggerate how helpful this is to new artists.

[donahvanhollis]

I’ve learned SO MUCH about songwriting, piano and theory from former Berklee Instructors & Associates on YouTube for I’m dedicating my first Hit to Berklee and making a Tuition sized donation!

[blazemoyer]

Outstanding job!!!! You made a complex subject easy and fun to understand. Best class I see in a while.

[silverglitch]

One of the best lessons on songwriting I have come across on YouTube! Brilliantly explained. Thank you!

[StefanGBucher]

This was thoroughly excellent, and also very nicely produced graphically! Thank you!

[Virtual-Media]

Explained in a story like format that comfortably leads you to the conclusion.

Well done..

[SacredSolfeggio]

There is no such thing as a perfect chord. All there is great melodies and the chords that support the melody creating a very specific mood.

[chriswrighton]

Ben, you have successfully condensed what are typically multiple chapters of many songwriting books into one crystal clear video. Respect and many thx!

[aptudo]

Clear. Meaningful. I knew a lot of this, but you tied it all together perfectly. Take a moment today to feel happy knowing you created a mini masterpiece on this subject and inspired at least one budding songwriter!

[psyrus]

Awesome stuff. Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼

[grekiely]

Excellent Works for this and the others - thanks.

[JordiCX]

Landed recently on this channel and I'm absolutely mesmerized by the quality and clarity of your lessons. Binge-watching everything. A happy follower ;)

[denenecavanagh]

Thank you for these videos. They are very much appreciated.

[michaelperez]

Thank you for this wonderful video and simple explanation of why chords work together. After countless books/videos and “luck” of finding chords in my writing, this lesson is sure to help me and others properly structure a song. Thank you again

[meeno_the_man]

Such a lovely primer! I’m deep down the Modes hole and this is a solid Bring-it-on-home of the basics clearly stated while I’m simultaneously thinking much more complicatedly. Many thanks for all you guys do. Love the channel. Love your teaching.

[PARANOOB]

Exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it. Thank you! 🙌

[Owl-qhrh]

Great vid! Thank you for your sharing! Bless 🙏🕊️

[switchersaurus]

This made clear a lot of things I was aware of but did not understand. Great explanation, thank you.

[patpatisserie]

Fabulous. Chord progressions and why they feel the way they do explained, demystified and made practical in less than 20 minutes.

[BJ-spcj]

I am so inspired by this lesson brilliant break down