How to Write Songs - Picking the Perfect Chords

Learn to write simple yet powerful chord progressions for your next song!
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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
open.spotify.com/artist/7M3Zf...
SILAMOR
open.spotify.com/artist/5HOpa...
www.silamor.com/music
WORK FLOW AUDIO: / @workflowaudio-studymu...
SOME MORE FROM KEPPIE & 'HOW TO WRITE SONGS'
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#howtowritesongs
#songwriting
#howtowriteasong
#songs
#letitbe
#thebeatles
#chords
#musictheory
#hallelujah
#leonardcohen
#guitarplaying
#guitar
#guitarchord
#howmusicworks

[@dwaynegayle9020]

Hard to exaggerate how helpful this is to new artists.

[@htws]

Thanks Dwayne, fantastic feedback! Glad it was helpful!

[@donahvanhollis9652]

I’ve learned SO MUCH about songwriting, piano and theory from former Berklee Instructors & Associates on KZbin for FREeeeeeeeee..that 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 KZbin! Brilliantly explained. Thank you!

[@StefanGBucher]

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

[@htws]

Thanks Stefan, glad it was helpful and appreciate the feedback!

[@Virtual-Media]

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

[@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!

[@htws]

Rob, this is sincerely some of the loveliest feedback we've ever received! So delighted to hear that it was helpful. Really appreciate the support!

[@HH-hm3qn]

^^^ this!!!

[@chriswrighton5162]

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

[@htws]

Thanks Chris! Condensing this kind of material is always a challenge but I'm glad it worked on this occasion. Cheers

[@zenrobotninja]

Such a brilliant lesson thank you! I've watched many a video on Chord progressions but this was by far the best and brought it all together. Question: is the same for a minor key?

[@htws]

Thanks Zen, glad it was helpful. In regards to the minor, the notes are the same but the functions are a little different - so if we're in the key of Am (i) then the iv chord is Dm and the V chord is Em (however we would typically make this dominant - E7) - so the substitutions of Am (i) is C (III - relative major) - the substitution for the Dm (iv) chord is still F, but F is now the VI chord, while E7 (V) B dim (ii) and G (VII) can all be considered chords that delay resolution or create a 'return' function back to Am. I'll definitely make another video soon focusing on how to write in minor keys

[@zenrobotninja]

@@htws thank you so much for the reply and looking forward to the video! Fantastic channel

[@josephfinnegan3592]

Tremendous lesson. I’ve never heard chord progressions taught this way. Makes so much sense! I will be subscribing. Thanks!

[@BookerTDooku]

Totally agree, this was so useful and the clear explanation of the function of the chords was incredibly useful.

[@the.polymath]

Why is this information so hard to find? This is what I have been looking for forever. You have just leveled up my musicianship in one 20-minute video. Thank you.

[@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.

[@SzyGrz]

Here it is, the simplest and most direct explanation of chord functions and substitution at once. Big thanks

[@PARANOOB]

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

[@tonysienzant6717]

This seemed so BASIC in the beginning & a bit boring but I held on & HALLELUJAH (!), suddenly it broke my mind open & got to something I was thinking of all along: how the chords 'mirror' the intent of the lyrics at different points in the song. Brilliant Stuff & an easy way to think about it: Home, Departure, Ready to Return & the chord substitutions that 'delay' the real arrival to Home.

[@dallasblues74]

Such a wonderful way to explain some basic music theory and how it applies to making a song. I wish I’d known this when I first started out. And I wish I’d thought of it when I was teaching! Thank you for your insight. Very helpful!

[@htws]

Thanks Todd, really appreciate the support and feedback!

[@grekiely6245]

Excellent Works for this and the others - thanks.

[@JasonLestage]

I’ve fairly recently taken up guitar and definitely have the urge to write my own songs. I’ve been watching your videos and learning a lot about the process. This video felt like the most useful one yet. I’d love to see a video with highlights of a brainstorming session where you’re writing music and lyrics and pulling a song together. I haven’t been able to find anything like that on the internet. For some one new to song writing, seeing how a writing session works would be very helpful.

[@htws]

Hey Jason! What a great suggestion. We'll add it to the list :)

[@htws]

Hi Jason. Glad you've been enjoying the channel and thanks for the feedback. We're currently working on a way to present brainstorming and other idea generation techniques - as well as a series of videos showing the songwriting process from start to finish. Stay tuned

[@tonysienzant6717]

Just listen to some good music to see how it's done. "American Song" by Paul Simon would be a good one :-)

[@funguy29]

This is the most educational video I've seen in a long time. God Bless. Keep going.

[@htws]

Thanks Niesdi, realy appreciate your support and feedback! Glad you found it helpful!

[@Eschew_Obfuscation]

Awesome stuff. Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼

[@denenecavanagh9455]

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

[@rezakaleel9323]

so helpful and clear. Thank you!

[@masterkrapp007]

I love the way you analyse chord progressions! Any other songs you would like to take us through? This was brilliant!

[@vernonclement]

Great Lesson ! Lived it ! 👍

[@BJ-sp2cj]

I am so inspired by this lesson brilliant break down

[@katstark_]

Wow. A gem of a lesson. Thank you!

[@jonmarch9054]

In this one lesson you have made things so clear and inspired me to write more music. You're a superb natural teacher and make the subject easy to comprehend. Please carry on making these excellent videos they are helping thousands of us believe we can write beautiful music 👍👍👍👍

[@patpatisserie4245]

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

[@Angela-jy8um]

This is a really fantastic video! Thank you for sharing. You explain well.

[@jeffreyginsburg6959]

Very well done! Home run. This explanation will help in crafting songs and in my playing in general. So glad I found your channel, please keep it up.Thank you!

[@htws]

Thanks Jeffrey, really appreciate the feedback! Happy writing!

[@seanc.5310]

Well done!! 🙌🏻

[@gwjr111]

Your video does such a great job of explaining about the number system and chord progressions. The Leonard Cohen song was the perfect example. I'm eager to try and actually use this. Thanks!

[@mesolithicman164]

Very enlightening. Thank you .

[@davidandrade2161]

Thank you so much for this post. Been looking for this approach for years!! So enlightening.

[@htws]

You’re most welcome David, glad it was helpful! Thanks for the support

[@switchersaurus1305]

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

[@BroLuap]

Such a great explanation!! You guys make such amazing videos! I’m very grateful for your chanel😊

[@michaelperez4001]

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

[@tahagoren7011]

i wish you would have did this amazing lesson 5 years ago and i have watched 5 years ago :( never late for anything :) thanks a lot

[@raydiasdj]

This is a wonderfully compact and comprehensive clip! Thank you!!

[@jazzsong8566]

Excellent! One of the clearest explanations I’ve ever learned about chord progression. Thank you

[@htws]

Thanks Rafael, glad it was helpful!

[@thinkzen]

Thank you, great lesson!

[@mcny40]

Wow! What a well laid out lesson with great explanations. Great voice too! Subscribed!!

[@htws]

Thanks, much appreciated!

[@yiannig3514]

Thank you very much for beautifully explaining chord functionality, it’s all starting to make sense to me now!

[@htws]

Thanks Yianni, glad to hear this video helped!

[@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.

[@josephfinnegan3592]

Tremendous lesson. I’ve never heard chord progressions taught this way. Makes so much sense! I will be subscribing. Thanks!

[@htws]

Thanks Joseph, appreciate the support!

[@Owl-qh2rh]

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

[@miritsm]

one of the great lesson I've ever seen! thank you 😊

[@htws]

You are most welcome! Thankyou for your kind words and support

[@Faithful_Watchman]

Awesome easy explanation to compose my songs. Thank you!

[@Cottontowngal]

Oh my that’s amazing thank you.

[@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 ;)

[@FendCore]

Brilliant explanations as always... I'm never stuck for too long into building my songs since I follow you. And I even often get fresh inspiration. Thank you 👍

[@htws]

You’re so welcome! It might be worthwhile checking out our Patreon, if you’re writing regularly and want some more in-depth guidance and feedback! www.patreon.com/howtowritesongs

[@michaelbobson9198]

Best lesson I’ve ever seen on KZbin! I think there is a void between beginner and intermediate, right where I’m standing currently and this lesson was a solid bridge. A lesson in writing, is a great way to teach theory IMHO Thank you!!!

[@user-ko8ht5oj9b]

Magnificent explanation. It integrates a lot of information I’ve known for years, in a consistent, practical framework I had not visualized before. Beautiful!

[@ElizabethPhaire1]

This is fantastically helpful! Thank you! ❤

[@barrycoulter6951]

Awesome stuff! Thx, been looking for this info! Looking forward to Minor examples as well…thx again!

[@htws]

Thanks Barry, glad it was helpful. The minor video is coming very soon... stay tuned

[@twinpines]

Wow! Excellent, Ben! Very clear and well explained. Please make more videos like this. Your channel is amazing. And the Montreal Jazz Festival rules! Great banner. ;)

[@htws]

Thankyou, glad you enjoyed it! I am planning to make more videos like this very soon, mainly focusing on more complex chord progressions and options from outside the key... and yes, Montreal is one of my absolute favourite places! That poster is a souvenir from my trip to the Festival about 15 years ago... such great memories!

[@twinpines]

@@htws please continue producing this type of content. I love your channel and I am learning a lot. I am in the Montreal region and during my first years around here, I lived just a few steps away from where the festival takes place. It was amazing!

[@PresenceUponMe]

I've always wondered if there is a common formula for say an entire song structure. Like verse 1 4 5, then chorus ???, back to verse 1 4 5, chorus again, outro maybe bridge, solo and so forth. I hope that makes sense. Thanks, and you're a great teacher man.

[@htws]

You could say there are lots of common song forms or formulas - many of them utilising the 1 - 4 - 5 chords in the verse then utilising some substitutions in the chorus or bridge. You can start to think of these chord patterns as conventions of specific genres, for instance blues, rock, folk and country all use 1 - 4 - 5 as their core structure, while jazz relies more on 1 - 6 - 2 - 5 patterns and a series of 2 - 5 - 1 manoeuvres. Hope that helps. Thanks for support!

[@kroadster3249]

THE best Video that covers the bases of Chords and their relations I have ever seen. I knew 80% of it by long years of struggle towards that knowledge. But this filled the still existing gaps and explains it plainly and on point.

[@donahvanhollis9652]

This was a great lesson brother✊🏽 First time I’ve heard Chord progression explained this way. Made since To me.. thank you🙏🏾 Motor City Native🎶🕺🏾

[@colindayo]

Loving your channel guys!

[@htws]

Thanks Colin, really appreciate the support!

[@user-yz4dq3ud3y]

That’s a brilliant lesson… thank you. 👍🏻

[@JohnDoe-fz7hz]

Awesome explained. I wish someone told me that so clearly many years ago.

[@goseason2343]

Might be the best video I’ve seen on chord progression writing. Very well put insight.

[@htws]

Wonderful feedback, thankyou for the support!

[@monaxey]

Definitely the best ~20 mins I spent this week. Awesome content!

[@htws]

Amazing feedback, Thanks for the support!

[@nathanscroger]

I have always been the person writing the music. But, lyrics always freaked me out. You all have been so helpful to get me started. Thank you!

[@regularnimnule9715]

Superb! Really superb.

[@martinbeo3920]

Very Nice video! You made it understandable, and on point. Thank you!

[@htws]

Really glad it was easy to understand, thanks for the feedback!

[@Weeeasy]

brilliant chord lesson Sir, really learnt a lot.will continue to follow etc.

[@htws]

Thanks William, appreciate the feedback!

[@jonbcannell]

Thank you. This gave me a new way to think about substitution and keep things fresh at the same time. 👏🏻

[@htws]

Thanks Jon, glad it was helpful!

[@HH-hm3qn]

Extraordinary explanation! Thank you so much for this.

[@htws]

You’re so very welcome! Glad it was helpful and thanks for the support

[@gsdcjd]

This is the best explanation of anything I’ve ever watched online. Glad I found your site!

[@htws]

Thanks, much appreciated! Glad you found it useful

[@julesbaby47]

Very very well constructed tutorial, thanks you

[@htws]

Thanks, glad it was helpful!

[@brucekalter4206]

Excellent, very educational and clearly presented!!! Thank you!

[@htws]

Thanks Bruce, glad it was helpful!

[@lisalisa13]

Crazy that your video showed up on my KZbin suggestions today because my musician friend was sending me chord progression suggestions last night with use of some 7th chords I like. I hadn't even googled anything about it and here you are today explaining it. 🙂 Many of them were exactly what you suggested here and with your explanation of the home analogy, it really baked in for me. Thank you so much and definitely going to subscribe.

[@htws]

Haha, crazy how things like that happen... Thanks for your feedback Lisa, appreciate the support!

[@chicochicoshukor7184]

Its awesome. I just subcribe. Thanks for the lesson. Its make me improve as a song writer.

[@htws]

Thanks Chico, much appreciated!

[@prschuster]

I do all this intuitively, but I never had the reasons explained like this, other than that major chords are more joyful and minor chords are more melancholy.

[@RickyConnelley]

I’m a singer songwriter in Nashville, always trying to learn. They use Nashville numbers allot here. About to release my first album! This was a great video, subbed! 🤟

[@htws]

Thanks for the sub Ricky and best of luck releasing your debut album!

[@amrshlomr]

Amazing video. thank you so much, that was really awesome.

[@htws]

Thanks Omar, glad it was helpful!

[@davidpetersen1]

Awesome. I've been trying to wrap my head around the logistics of chord progressions as they relate to song writing for far too long with no success, Thanks for your insights. :)

[@htws]

Thanks David, glad it was helpful. Happy songwriting!

[@doriandey4588]

Thanks! It was well explained.

[@htws]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mb5o]

Excellent explanation of chord choices in a progression. Thank you.

[@htws]

You're welcome Marc, glad it was useful.

[@jeffrey.a.hanson]

Brilliantly simple. I like hierarchal view of: functions -> available substitutions -> play with these substitutes. Then we can paint on top of this.

[@htws]

Hi Jeffrey. Thanks for your feedback... love your idea of 'painting on top' of the hierarchal framework... lovely way to phrase it

[@ZalexMusic]

You are a very gifted teacher.

[@htws]

Thankyou, much appreciated!

[@olivernapster1973]

Perfect Explanation!! Thank you so much, waiting for the Minor Keys video

[@htws]

Thanks Oliver, really appreciate the feedback! Video about writing in Minor keys coming soon...

[@erikrummel6277]

How have I never heard this explained this clearly before?!?!? Amazing video!!!!! Absolutely brilliantly articulated!!!!!!

[@htws]

Amazing feedback, thanks for the support Erik!

[@amado7760]

great explanation, thank you :)

[@rogeralleyne9257]

This is a great channel for musicians 🙏🙏🙏

[@htws]

Thanks Roger, let us know if there's any specific topics you'd like us to cover. Appreciate the support!

[@roncallahan40]

Great stuff! Thank you!

[@htws]

Thanks Ron, appreciate the support!

[@wadebristow6060]

Top lesson thanks

[@richardquatermass3824]

Fantastic video. Thank you 🙏

[@htws]

You're most welcome Richard, thanks for the feedback!

[@tonyguadagno6917]

This lesson for me is so enlightening! Thank you so much.

[@htws]

Thanks Tony, really appreciate the support! Happy writing!

[@jt2465]

Clear and constructive

[@noimspartacus4357]

That was ace, thanks man.😎✌️

[@htws]

No problem 👍

[@marioCazares]

Incredible video

[@FinnianCole]

Awesome video. Great voice too. Love how you Chris Cornell-ed Let It Be. 🤘

[@htws]

Thanks Finnish, appreciate the support! The Chris Cornell comment is very flattering too. Cheers

[@paulschnyder938]

Great video, I’ve learnt so much in 10 minutes- thanks 👍👍

[@htws]

Thanks Paul, wonderful feedback!

[@raytbrown2]

Thank you!

[@derrygerry2569]

Thank you so much as this makes scenes to me 🇮🇪🇮🇪☘️

[@WhiteBull_33]

Great video. Very talented player/singer/teacher

[@ackerman8511]

First of its kind. 👍 Its a gem for me. Thank you

[@htws]

Amazing feedback, thankyou!

[@coloaten6682]

Such a great explanation, thanks!

[@htws]

Thanks Col, really appreciate the feedback!