How To Write A Sea Shanty Song or Pirate Music

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Recently there’s been an upswell of interest in sea shanties, specifically the song The Wellerman (see here: • Wellerman ). Since I’ve long planned for doing a video about pirate music, I figured now would be as good a time as any.
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:
The Minor Scale + Chords: • How to write Chords an...
The Dorian Scale + Chords: • DORIAN SCALE - The 2nd...
Here’s a link to my favorite Korpiklaani song, Wooden Pints! • KORPIKLAANI - Wooden P...
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!
My Patreon: / signalsmusicstudio
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

[@kitsovereign4127]

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

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

Definitely an oversight on my part!

[@Xbrush]

He even has a real accordion!

[@gabrielacevedo9604]

You have to listen to this live performance, kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYXSXqhsZ92Vqtk

[@Vertlain]

Accordion wasn't even invented in pirates era, but somehow it works every time

[@juicysuit7195]

@@Vertlain I had no idea!

[@reith_kichards1733]

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

[@modestoney1577]

since you are here, let me tell you how much i love THE STOLLING_RONES

[@dared29]

Easily the #1 most underrated channel, I can't believe he doesn't get more views

[@Necrocidal]

The only occasional ads are for stuff that I actually want (his big course, which I'm gonna sign up to when I have the time to do it justice).

[@OndasdoSom]

True

[@patethan4997]

absolutely, it's just no-nonsense (but still approachable and entertaining!) music info, no BS.

[@moistness482]

That was a smooth transition from the intro

[@malte6824]

It was that smooth, I didn't even noticed the transition

[@emilyrln]

Smooth like butter

[@ECH147]

@@emilyrln You got a BTS song stuck in my head by saying that 😑

[@emilyrln]

@@ECH147Sorry! 😅

[@ECH147]

@@emilyrln🤣🤣🤣 You are forgiven. Getting songs stuck in peoples heads is something I do on purpose so it was kinda karma. LOL

[@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

[@rebeccaschade3987]

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.

[@StuartWoodwardJP]

Yes, Exactly. I came here to say this! The songs were definitely work songs. It’s better to forget about pirate and think shanty,

[@Ajoura]

Except for those which were designed for monotonous work with no rhythm, e.g. spinning the windlass. They were just walking in circles and singing something really boring about love.

[@DTux5249]

It's also important to note that since these were meant to be sung by a bunch of tired, salt-water-soaked, possibly partly sick men, melodies should typically be fairly easy to sing, or at least fairly unimportant

[@jamescanjuggle]

@@DTux5249 exactly, if a half drunk withered middle age man can sign it youve hit gold for shareability

[@CostasCTS]

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

[@user-be9ey4jb3c]

Σαν γερμανικό τραγούδι.

[@donotoliver]

i was gonna comment this lmao

[@gabrielacevedo9604]

You have to listen to this live performance, kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYXSXqhsZ92Vqtk

[@poke-champ4256]

finally I hear someone else calling dorian adventurous

[@gabrielacevedo9604]

You have to listen to this live performance, kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYXSXqhsZ92Vqtk

[@m74568]

Now i cant unhear it

[@koldun1175]

You know. The halo soundtrack is mostly written in E Dorian if you wanna listen to something else adventurous

[@poke-champ4256]

@@koldun1175 I know halos main theme and that it is in dorian.I mean come on were on the internet

[@ImNotQualifiedToSayThisBut]

@@gabrielacevedo9604 fuck yoz

[@ChrisMuellerMusic]

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

[@javkhlanenkhbaatar3843]

punny, I am laughing.

[@Zer0Spinn]

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

[@glennpagemusic]

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

[@isabelmartin8427]

yep exactly. the "rolling" feel

[@maldivirdragonwitch]

Was just about to write the same. :) Maybe it's not even suggesting the waves - maybe that's just how you start feeling rhythm when you've been on the sea for decades.

[@Necrocidal]

Gonna start composing in a scale of Arrr Dorian

[@poke-champ4256]

You mean *Dorrrrrrian*

[@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 =)

[@jehmarxx]

Locrian, the final enemy of the series.

[@andersjjensen]

@@jehmarxx LOCRIAN: Left Over Crap Resulting In Absolutely Nothing :P

[@hadiiiiii6_9iiiiiiiii45]

Jake: I'm not on tiktok I swear Me: *respect*

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

i mean no offense to the tiktokers, but imo it's only for two kinds of people- young kids who want to have fun and share things, or old people who want to look cringey and weird, and i'm pretty sure i'd fit firmly in the second camp.

[@hadiiiiii6_9iiiiiiiii45]

@@SignalsMusicStudio *more respect*

[@someperson9052]

@@SignalsMusicStudio *respect meter off the charts*

[@thefakepie1126]

"tiktok bad youtube good"

[@Soul-OnFire]

Oh i agree! Tiktok ew.

[@jehmarxx]

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

[@Scarecrow545]

"You won't find those aristocratic instruments on a pirate ship." *Davy Jones has entered the chat*

[@mathajar9563]

What do you mean?

[@corbs241]

@@mathajar9563 i think davy jones is a character from potc and if i remember correctly he has an organ on his ship?

[@mathajar9563]

@@corbs241 oh ok thanks for giving the context

[@sarafelker79]

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!

[@mantor2363]

For chemistry class ?

[@mackenziepickard]

two years later and i am formally demanding you explain why you needed a sea shanty for chemistry class

[@deeznutz491]

Arrgh, The Blarney Stone brings a tear to me eye.

[@jcrane721]

sharpen your boot and bludgeon yer eye

[@anthonyorre320]

Saw them a year ago in Denver for Halloween

[@danhansma3112]

UNDERRATED COMMENT

[@shadcovert1160]

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

[@Visengrad]

I cant tell if he's 19 or 29

[@mykhedelic6471]

Rick Beato

[@shaboobatv2949]

Probably the same

[@shadcovert1160]

@@mykhedelic6471 LOL. Well said.

[@shadcovert1160]

@@shaboobatv2949 yes, that's my implication.

[@Jath2112]

"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.

[@user-ns4hp8rk2y]

This channel is criminally underrated

[@yoduh4077]

i didn't know i wanted to write a sea shanty, but now its just a matter of time until I do. Thanks, Jake!

[@JW-ql7jp]

I've had a melody in my head about a certain rum cocktail for years. Time to write the whole song.

[@Raffael-Tausend]

We all wait for riffing in locrian

[@fairmonkey4786]

Everyone should listen to the Mollusk album by Ween if they are looking for a sea shanty/nautical sound

[@BigHeadCross]

pls pin this comment

[@ckannan90]

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.

[@passionoflovers]

Just realised the Pirates of the Caribbean theme ticks off all these boxes haha

[@Ryan_Perrin]

A few months ago I was telling my gf how the PotC theme is only good because it is a sea chanty, and that each are all fundamentally similar, so it was good but not exactly unique. She wasn't happy about that Edit: I tried supporting it with one of the Runescape songs (don't remember the name, but if you played you probably know) and she didn't want to hear it

[@Luxalpa]

@@Ryan_Perrin Play some Santiano then. They have quite a bit of variation, although in general it's still true, they are all rather similar. I love them :)

[@thalamusDecimation]

When you realize the Pirates of the Caribbean theme is just the lick in 6/8

[@danielcorrigan8914]

@@thalamusDecimation HOLY SHITTTTT

[@KimonFrousios]

Except for the instrumentation box. The main theme ("he's a pirate") has a whole lotta posh instruments in it and no voices. But it would be a lot less epic without all the horns and strings, so...

[@Barakon]

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

[@JacobGoodman]

Most of these tips work for Celtic music too, just with Mixolydian or Dorian

[@yr92_]

Nothing says more "I'm going on an adventure" than the minor v chord in the mixolydian scale. It sounds happy but not as sappy as major.

[@glennpagemusic]

Yoel Rosenstein Interesting. I seldom hear the minor v that way. It always sounds wistful and melancholy to me, or slightly dramatic and very pensive or reflective. I don't usually hear it as happy.

[@yr92_]

@@glennpagemusic Sorry, I meant to say that mixolydian is happy, not the minor v lol. Cheers.

[@glennpagemusic]

Yoel Rosenstein Oh, that's cool. I knew what you meant! Everything I said applies to the mixolydian scale too. To me, it has a romantic, elegiac feel to it; it usually feels wistful and melancholy to me. But maybe that's just me! Cheers! 😁

[@KimonFrousios]

That is not surprising at all. Sea shanties have their origins with Irish and Scottish sailors and have inherited the properties of Irish and Scottish folk music (ie Celtic), just simplified. And the required accent, with the rolling Rs and idiomatic vocabulary, that too has its origins in the Irish and Scottish accents.

[@alexokrayiii9689]

I love the way that Jake makes the creativity of music fun in different genres. AWESOME VIDEO!

[@whaxmusic305]

I was super curious about this trend! Thanks for breaking it down! I take so much from this channel for my own song writing, I can't even explain what this has all meant for me. You are the best in the biz, without a doubt.

[@dennisfox8673]

Hands down, you are the best music education KZbinr. You have hit the perfect mix of in depth knowledge presented with great clarity. Now it’s time to trim my sails and beat closer to the wind. 🏴‍☠🍻

[@sonidodebolsillo]

Your videos are incredibly explanatory and user-friendly, making the content easy to grasp and implement.

[@fuzzedout5324]

It's all about hitting the high C's. I'll get my coat.

[@pwoolcoc]

underrated comment imo

[@Eblan85]

this channel is gold and a great source of inspiration to start making some good music

[@douglasmccoll6296]

Thank you for this tutorail...I was inspired to write one and that lead me to you but I never expected this wonderful sea shanty lesson...you have a gift!

[@proteinsheikh3337]

Jake on the left, board on the right, backdrop combination feels so homy, I can’t explain it! Great vid as usual !

[@bozo_ladrao_d_rolex]

Man! I am addicted to yours videos. Cheers from Brazil

[@user-ws2gn3wp4s]

Best video you have made so far, love it

[@StellitaKay]

Very comprehensive and very well presented. Well done!

[@liquidsolids9415]

Yet another fun and highly informative video. Great explanation of the difference between Aeolian and Dorian. Well done! Keep up the great work!

[@borisjamet-fournier197]

Wow I just stumbled on this video and man, I just wanted to say thanks and congrats. You have great content, a nice fast pace and a perfect radio voice (with a crisp Midwestern accent indeed). I learned a lot even though I've been playing music all my life. This was legit one of the best tutorials I've ever watched. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 Keep rockin'!

[@archibaldthejester42069]

I CAN NOT DESCRIBE HOW HAPPY I AM THAT SEA SHANTIES AND "NAUTICAL_SOUNDING" SONGS ARE POPULAR AGAIN

[@fairmonkey4786]

Listen to the mollusk album by Ween

[@troyforbes5125]

Thanks Jake. Love what you do for all of us.

[@joeinthestudio]

Awesome video, Jake! Btw, there are some nicely performed shanty songs on the soundtrack for "Assassin's Creed: Black Flag" game in case anyone is interested in the genre (I guess), although they are mostly performed acapella (they are supposed to sound like the ship crew is singing them during traveling and everyone is too busy to play any instruments)

[@FaustinaFalcon8]

Jake you are THE man. I hope you see this because I want you to know what an incredible teacher you've been for me. Teaching is hard enough in person but to do it so well through video takes some seriously talent and you always kill it. Thanks so much man

[@Humongous420]

If I had a half a clue how to play a guitar, what he is talking about it would make total sense! This guy is a great teacher 🤯

Thanks for these detailed and very well edited insights ! Love this kind of content !

[@thesingingaccountant1]

Really miss this fellas videos! So good

[@whatsmyname8265]

Another great lesson. Thanks Jake!

[@julienmeard8922]

Hello, I usually don'y leave comments, but your work is really precious, you are a fabulous teacher, thanks to you I now understand modes and their importance in music (amongst other things). Keep it that way, I share a lot of your videos to my friends, you are the best !!! Cheers from France !!!

[@VincentFink]

had to rewind just to hear your awesome sea shanty again! Great videos man. Love it.

[@C.SchitzPopinov]

Suddenly, Iron Maiden - The Rime of the Ancient Mariner has come to mind.

[@ItsAsparageese]

Yeah, the rhythm isn't there but Maiden still gets the feel of the sea across in a way, especially (IMO) in the later section of the song where the vocals re-enter after the long instrumental

[@Yusufmasron]

Jake i watched this many many times and never get bored.

[@CinLightweaver-kk5uo]

I had to write a mead-sloshing sea shanty for a play I'm in and this helped me TREMENDOUSLY! Thank you so much mate. We just performed last week and it was a hit :D

[@r.k.8718]

Thank you for posting a "hey, if you're confused..." part in the description. The modes always manage to confuse me, but your videos have helped to clear up some of my confusion. I think. Time will tell.

[@jaycee6996]

Adam Neely has (as usual) done an absolutely excellent fascinating dissection of "The Music Theory of Sea Shanties" on youtube. Wonderful!

[@ObzzorRock]

Great job! I really enjoy your channel!

[@TheBackyardShow818]

I love your videos so much because I can just listen to it on the road like a podcast and learn so much, thank you!

[@danielhahn7329]

Jake! I can't believe how I've never noticed that amazing painting(to the right of you) in the back! Looks really clean and intentful, with a hint of brashness. Amazing lesson aswell. 👍

[@certainlynotthebestpianist5638]

These C-F background synths gave such awesome Jarre vibes!

[@SerpentStar_]

Should be a requirement for all guitar lessons to be like this 🏴‍☠️

[@johngage7456]

Such a great teacher

[@brainpiercing]

absolutely brilliant lesson, thank you for doing this !

[@x2mars]

Really cool. With this theory stuff, a lot of the mystery of music making is resolved. Bravo

[@BlackCatFriday]

You are a great teacher man!

[@audeoguitars7157]

A+ for the intro. I love this channel.

[@josh34578]

The i to IV is such a wonderful hopeful sound.

[@ShredmasterScott]

Thought I was watching Jacob Collier in that intro...muhahaha

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

got the wrong jacob!

[@rizkyagungmartadiraja725]

muhahahaha

[@ShredmasterScott]

@@rizkyagungmartadiraja725 stay evil Rizky

[@rizkyagungmartadiraja725]

@@ShredmasterScott you too muhahahaha

[@Doktormustache]

The best introduction to a KZbin video I've ever seen, holy shit that was impressively well done and also hilarious at the same time.

[@leonardohonorato3652]

I think accordion with that shuffled rhythm adds an interresting pirate sound too

[@velcryt]

That Tito is just wonderful thank you so much

[@martynspooner5822]

A couple years ago I could have watched this video and it may as well have been in Chinese. Now I can actually understand it which comes as a huge surprise to me. I owe so much of this this to Jake and cannot thank him enough for all he has given me in my musical journey. Even though I am just a bedroom guitar player it has opened things up so much. A truly gifted teacher thanks again Cheers

[@MrsRanee]

Really excellent video. Super helpful and super entertaining. Your a true talent

[@rawzen5140]

what an epic intro! i actually love pirate music so im very happy you made this video

[@christianhaynes7596]

wow. right when I needed this. Thank you 👍

[@cstaeger]

I never wanted to know how to write a sea shanty but thank you for explaining it in a very entertaining way! You truly made me want to compose one and caught my attention to this genre of music! Excellent educational video!

[@myneckhurts_tt]

that was the coolest intro ever

[@metalpiper]

Brilliant Jake!! Love this...

[@watch2learnmore]

Fantastic lesson. This is going to be an awesome addition to International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Make sure to come back here and share you new songs.

[@cjp68]

Thank you mate ! I truly enjoyed the information in this video ! I learned something :). I have been starring at Studio One while chewing on my keyboard trying to get the rhythms correct and timing (same with guitar in hand) while trying to re-score a piece called Barbary Jack. You gave me the missing piece ! Thank you again !

[@amg_0302]

This is so awesome. A bunch of my friends and I go to MTK NY every year to fish, cook, and drink. This will be added to the itinerary.

[@ItsAsparageese]

There's a tragic lack of comments complimenting that dude's half-off-sunglasses take on an eye patch at the beginning, brilliant costuming moment 🤣 (amazing video all around of course)

[@musicplaylists64]

This channel is superb!!!!!!!!! keep up the great work.

[@cw0363]

Thank you Jake I love writing shanty music i’ll try out your tips today🤘

[@evildevil364]

The transition, give this man an award.

[@mcbroseph69]

THAT INTRO IS BY FAR MY FAVORITE THING ON KZbin PLEASE RELEASE THE SONG I WILL PAY TAKE MY MONEY OMG!!!

[@drumstudiomonchengladbach8131]

GREAT!!! I LOVE this tutorial!

[@Super0062]

Once again, a phenomenal video!

[@gtizzle101]

Loved this video, thanks so much!

[@jimofthehill]

amazing lesson. thanks

[@Adrian041392]

Im like obsessed with pirate songs. This is perfect thank you!

[@minimishapsgames894]

I used your chord recommendations and rhythm guide on my DND group, and absolutely love how it turned out. You should have a spot for people to brag on you and your awesome video(s) (or maybe you already do?).

[@sebastiansilva962]

Just here to comment how accurate the adjectives you use to describe scales always are. It's amazing, the way you illustrate the feeling of each mode always feels very familiar and grounded. Also, one last detail on the structure of sea shanties: I'm pretty sure they were all sung from memory. That's why the songs have this repetitive structure everyone can sing along (for example, the Wellerman constantly alternates between the verse and chorus, also very frequently). I think that's also an important point when composing these songs. Keep up the good work!

[@england101510]

Another great video. Thank you Prof. Lizzio, and thank you patreon supporters!

[@walterw9829]

"The darkness of the minor iv chord." Awesome.

[@Yoyo-tx3ue]

I love this channel so much you have no idea

[@drakonyanazkar]

One thing a friend pointed out long ago is how "Pirate music" and some Bluegrass/Old Time songs have a Celtic feel, which is super "dancy" and uplifting. But, for me, when it comes to Sea Shanties specifically, I prefer the a capella ones. These were songs sung by sailors at work and the techniques the singers use to empahsize rhythm and the chorus are just superb! Any instrumentation would just dilute that feeling.

[@OndasdoSom]

There are to much music channels in the plataform, but none of them give us the tips that we find here. Thanks for all the great things that you give here... and its foe free.

[@andrelenz405]

best video intro of 2021 hands down.

[@zachariea]

I was literally writing a sea shanty just two months ago, preparing it. This video is a lot of help, thanks a lot. :)

[@alexyouknowwhoitis2169]

I'll be honest, a lot of the videos this guy releases are a bit over my head as I am still a noob when it comes to musical theory but as soon as I saw the thumbnail with him wearing his moms blouse for a pirate bit, I instantly clicked and gave a thumbs up. Total commitment on his part. Ill be back when I learn enough to use more of what he is teaching. Cheers.