Anyone up for a challenge/experiment?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nightfire
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Nightfire

Nightfire

Aspiring Idiot
I always find it amazing how many different songs can be written with the exact same chords/progression across every genre.
Even though so much folk music is written in G, so much metal in Em and so much punk music uses I, IV, V progressions there are great songs written that distinguish themselves from others.
So heres the deal, is anyone up for writing a song and we all use the same chords?
How about......E, Bm, A, F#m. The progression and structure doenst matter as long as you use those 4 chords. You have to use all 4. You write your own lyrics/melody. No specific genre, just write a song using those chords.
Once your done, do a rough recording (or good if you like it etc., up to you) and post it up on this thread.
Itd be kinda cool to get this going and see how many different melodies, songs, aproaches, genres we can get going using the same four chords.
Yay or nay?


Mike
 
I think it's a great idea. Very interesting to hear how different people interpret things. There's kind of something similar to this idea going on in Kevin Allen's thread in this forum. He gave the words and chords to a first verse. I used the same chords and wrote the words for a verse 2. I've recorded his verse and posted it on soundclick. I'm keen to hear how he plays it.
 
I'm on it.

Should we also just limit it to those chords? No extra chords??

What about augmentations or extensions?

Or am I getting too obtuse?

Burt
 
I was thinking JUST those 4 chords. If you want to we can make the Bm a B, I just picked Bm to set a darker mood to the chords.
Augmentations and extensions? I dont know, what do you guys think? Im more interested in seeing how many melodies we can get out of the same 4 chords.


Mike
 
I'm on it.


Or am I getting too obtuse?

Burt

I wouldn't say obtuse. Maybe excessively gauche. yeah that's more like it :D

I'd love to take part in the experiment but I have so much on my plate right now it'll be months before I can make time for it. Still I'm interested in hearing what's cooked up.
 
Allright, sounds good. Man that Bm throws in a wrench for me:eek:but Im all up for using it, make its more interesting.
Recording doesnt have to be perfect, just acoustic and voice would be fine etc. whatever you'd want to.
I'll just be doing acoustic and voice scratchtrack cause I really dont have the time and skill to do any better.


Mike
 
I wouldn't say obtuse. Maybe excessively gauche. yeah that's more like it :D

I have not been called gauche since I stopped doing drag! Point taken.

Let stick with the chords as published (I love Bm) no ext. or aug. - shit it might sound like jazz!

Do not know when or what quality, but It will happen. It will happen. Another experiment would be to take a lyrical hook and try to put it into different songs - maybe something for later in the year.
 
Ok, I got my song melody down. Now to write lyrics...this is where usually loose the song:p


Mike
 
How about...

You lost me when you threw in F sharp minor
An F sharp minor just won't work for me (no, sirree!)
Maybe if I could lose that F sharp minor
I could make up something with the other 3...​

No?

:D
 
I know they're akward chords to deal with together, but I wanted to stray away from the usual I, VI, V stuff:cool:
Use it in a bridge maybe:eek:
Also, if that key doenst work for your vocal range I suppose we'll allow a capo?


Mike
 
Haha I realized, I thought at the same time you were voicing your disgruntlement with the F#m:o
Im going for a grunge folk song...dont know how it will turn out or if thats even the right way to describe it.
Any more people in on this?


Mike
 
If you're having trouble...

Think of the Bmin as Your D major chord. they share D and F#, and are commonly substituted. So now you've got A D E F#min

I IV V vi


pretty standard chord progression. you'll just have to chord sub the D for b minors.

i may try this. i'm uninspired to record things write now.

i may use the lyrics i've got sitting in the thread a few down. could be fun
 
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