Classical Music For Dummies

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Songwriting for Dummies #2: Breaking the Music Rules

Studying music formally doesn't always lend itself to writing good music, particularly because you get programmed to avoid certain sounds at all costs.  In harmony class, you get marks deducted for writing parallel fifths.  In choral music, IV-I candences (especially minor iv-I) are apparently weaker.  In composition, passing tones on the beat are a no-no. 
 
But boy, sometimes they sound so good.  How about parallel fifths on a IV-V or V-vi chord sequence (i.e.; F to G or G to Am in the key of C)?  They can be a lot of fun if played for effect.  Parallel fifths can give your song a native american feel (as in "Indian Outlaw" by Tim McGraw) or an appalachian folk sound ("All my Tears" by Emmylou Harris).
 
How about ending a chorus with a minor iv-I cadence(i.e.: in the key of C, play an F minor chord before resolving to C).  This gives your song a nice soft early 60's pop vibe.
 
Passing tones on the beat tend to give a great asian feel, a 7th note over a I chord (i.e: the note B over a C chord) or augmented 4th note over a I chord (i.e.: the note F sharp over a C chord).  These in particular sound like the music of northern India.  I like to play a version of "Nothing but the Blood" that heavily emphasize these tones, and it sounds great!  I also use these same notes on "I Call Thy Presence" with Anwar Javed. 
 
If I'm walking in a public place and hear some of these long-standing rules broken over the radio or PA system, it automatically catches my classically-trained ear as a "mistake".  But actually, the rule has been broken for a certain effect.  It's then I realize that the broken rule has done the job: it has made me sit up and take notice (musically that is).  So the effect has worked.
 
That is where formal music training can hamper your creativity.  Because you are trained that these sounds are "breaking the rules" you are scared to put them in your own songs.  But you know what, give it a try anyway.  You might just like the result, and who knows - that might end up being the hook in your song.
 
In any event, you will catch my attention when I hear your song... ;)
 
- John Briner

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Classical Music For Dummies!


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