Writing The Bridge - 3 Chord Strategies | How to Write Songs

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Three chord strategies for creating satisfying contrast and variation in the bridge section of your songs.
We first start by defining what a bridge is - then look at 3 chord-based (or harmonic) approaches, in increasing levels of harmonic complexity, for creating a sense of contrast, variation, and movement in the bridge section of your songs.
We look at songs by The Beatles and Bruno Major that put the concepts into context.
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#songwriting #howtowritesongs #songs #bridge #brunomajor #thebeatles #yesterday #nothing #chords #musictheory #harmony
Image credits:
Bruno Major - by Max Knight
Lauv - Instagram
The Beatles - Wiki Commons

[@dukeofearl4117]

I’m 73 and I just discovered how fascinating music theory is. I’m a self taught musician and can’t read music. But the theory I understand. When I was in college other students said they were talking music theory. I wanted to but they said I had to be able to read music. I played bass in a band and on until I retired. Now I’m playing acoustic and electric guitars and really enjoying what I’ve learned about music theory. Too bad I’m not in Britain where I could take your class in college.

[@jeffrey.a.hanson]

lol Keppie’s an Aussie! Tho, I heard a few good songs have come out of Britain over the years 😉

[@Skitdora2010]

The way to learn how to read music is to play music while reading it. When I was a child I use to cheat on the staff and draw in the fingerings for the notes but as an adult when I picked my instrument back up I did not do that and my brain automatically connects the fingers to the note on the page so you are no longer consciously reading the notes as you play. It is more like recognizing a street sign without reading it or like speed readers of books recognizing word length and shape without reading each letter out. Partly your muscle memory learns songs you played before but the muscle memory learns where to put your fingers based on where your eyes see the notes so it helps with more songs than the one you played 100 times. As for the notation on the sheet music like when to raise in volume or when to isolate the notes and not slur them, when you slightly speed up, that can come just from listening to other recordings of the song and there is more leeway for you to fudge around and experiment with what you did or did not accentuate anyway. That is part of individual interpretation and originality. A purist will try to do exactly what the composer wanted and research the composer and their original markings or expectations. Anyway, my point is that the only way to learn to read music is to take your instrument and start playing the notes you see. Start off slow and you get better and faster.

[@Levitukus]

This is awesome man! I'm also just now discovering music theory and realizing how many doors it opens for my music. If you want to learn to read music, it's really helpful in applying the theory and I recommend it! Im in a music theory class so I have been forced to learn how to read it, and if you want to, I recommend just googling free sheet music and going through slowly and determining what the notes are. The rest will come with practice. The acronyms Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge (Treble clef line notes) and Good Burritos Don't Fall Apart (Bass clef notes) as well as getting familiar with where Middle C is (On the line between the two clefs) is really all you need. Happy music making!

[@chinnink]

Through listening to lots of music i know where the bridge is and its effect on the song. This lesson has explained it very clearly what is happening with the cords and the theory behind it. I had a light bulb moment, thamk you for the lesson.

[@htws]

You're most welcome, and thanks for the comment. Much appreciated. I'm not sure if this would be of interest to you (it might be, if you are an active songwriter), but we put out other content and host monthly live Q&A sessions, which you can join here: www.patreon.com/howtowritesongs?fan_landing=true

[@carrterdinkins7977]

Nice pfp

[@geoffreygustin2462]

😅l😅

[@anthonywallace3830]

Thanks so much for this. I don’t know any theory and all of this kinda blows over my head, but listening to what you played while describing why you were playing really it brought me closer to understanding it more than I ever have. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise. It’s greatly appreciated 🎉

[@BobMcGowan-NotTheChairCircle]

I only discovered your channel this morning and I am already completely immersed in it. You, quite accidentally, make me feel quite clever. Despite passing 'O' level Music (British schooling, forty years ago - a very basic school-leaving exam) I did not know that what I was doing was modal that I have been using the mixolydian scale all these decades. I love the diagrams showing the fretboard. You are very generous, freely giving away all your knowledge. I look forward to learning more, especially on the lyrics side of things, which is where I always fail miserably. Many thanks.

[@mfitkin]

I’m so used to playing the E and A shaped bar chords and modifying them as necessary. I always knew I had trouble connecting everything together as if I had blind spots or something. I didn’t realize it was because I couldn’t form the chords on the frets below the tonic in the G and C shapes. Or anything with the tonic on the D string. I’ve watched many videos on the caged system but until you explained the importance of which string the tonic starts on I couldn’t put it to use. It so much easier to find the chord tones now. The 45 min video was well worth the time

[@Clocktoys]

Thank you so much for your clear explanation of what are really fundamental aspects of song writing. I’m self taught and have very little formal knowledge of music theory but have just watched 2 of your videos which explain and demystify a number of what I’ve come to describe as happy accidents in my own stuff!

[@reallyreallyfreemusic]

Excellent! Very lucidly explained, and I appreciate that you do "assume" some knowledge on the part of your audience instead of getting bogged down in basics. I knew a lot of this stuff, but your way of explaining things really makes them understandable. I intend to binge watch your videos.

[@cybercab]

Just what I needed!

[@mariposa1331]

Thanks for making this free. I am an unpaid church musician but I want to be good at what I love and this helps. Psychology of the song listener, cords theory, both good stuff you presented.

[@charris22]

Thank you so much for making this! The information you present is digestible and actionable. This is the first video I’m seeing from you, but it’s an instant subscribe. Can’t wait to watch more!

[@nomorebushz]

Self taught oboist from 10 years old. Dad a concert pianist taught at Yale for Paul Hindemith as a student. I turned pages for him since 8 years old, and he never tsught me any harmony. Then i started playing guitar and used all his fake books to learn how to play knowing the major mode and studying Jerry Coker Jazz Improvisation and learning modes from the Major mode. The way you explained and graphed the minor mode was excellent, and how to borrow here and there from mixolydian and minor modes. These are all suggestions i've used before, but explained in a way that gives me a more open and free way to think about how to find our contrasts in our progressions to maintain interest for ourselves and the listener. Kudos!

[@cvermette]

Keppie you do a marvelous job of explaining the strategies and theory. I have been using line cliches for 50 years - never heard the term! (The Beatles use this in the bridge of “And Your Bird Can Sing.”) Modal interchange - The Beatles use this effectively all the time. Two examples are “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (the Dm7 that starts the bridge) and “From Me to You” (does it twice - the Gm7 that starts the bridge, and the D7 that starts the second line of the bridge. When I think of it, I beleive the bridge ends with an ascending line cliché!) Your song is gorgeous. I’ll be studying that progression as an exercise.

[@RiversGarcia]

Thrilled to find you and your channel! I'm learning so much from you, already. Thanks for the absolute gold you pour into these videos, so very appreciated! And the song you're playing, "Last Call", is gorgeous.

[@markwelsh9068]

Very useful, thank you. I know line cliches and modal structures but, sometimes, it's really useful to get ideas and see how others think of using them.

[@htws]

Glad to hear it was useful, and thanks for the comment! Much appreciated. I'm not sure if this would be of interest to you (it might be, if you are an active songwriter), but we put out other content and host monthly live Q&A sessions, which you can join here: www.patreon.com/howtowritesongs?fan_landing=true

[@ronmorey3475]

This was absolutely great! You are a wonderful teacher. Thank you!

[@alexdietrich7975]

I've written a couple handful of songs, whether it be for personal enjoyment or to play with the band. But honestly these videos help a lot, I've taken classes on how to be a great instrumentalist but never took the time or saw the importance in learning song writing in conjunction with it.

[@andercoyote4170]

This is my first tine to the channel. Just an excellent excellent tutorial here on chord progressions and modes. Thanks! Subscribed ♡

[@iandevlin_Ibanez]

Last Call is magic! Another great video. Very clear.

[@sonymicronin]

Tyler created my love for bridges ngl

[@greggorsag9787]

This is a FABULOUS video. I have been a gigging musician for many years, written many songs that had local exposure/success. While I’ve successfully navigated some of the most challenging educational institutions in the world for non-musical education, music theory has always completely stumped me. Indeed, for the most part, I clutched Strategy 1 here and held on for dear life over the years (worked out fine). But this video really makes sense, and shows the path and value of other approaches without sounding like quantum mechanics and string theory expressed in Sanskrit. Bravo! (Almost makes me want to go beyond Strategy 1 for my next bridge! ; )

[@avedic]

HOW have I only discovered your channel today? I'm a huge fan of music theory channels....Adam Neely, 12 Tone, and especially Ben Levin. But this is the first time I've stumbled across your stuff. Immediate subscribe and like and all that fun stuff. :) I love that you apparently(?) focus on writing SONGS. Not just navel gazing at music theory for it's own sake. Love it!

[@avedic]

Also.....you have super cool hair and a super cool look. I love it. :D

[@tommyhuseth2690]

@@avedic bokbkkkkkk

[@youren8]

She's a hot a$$ beyatch, but I think she's taken. And yeah, that's a term of endearment, in USA. Chicago vernacular.

[@vineyardworker]

Me, I’m into the navel gazing-but here’s to your songwriting and to *finishing* well-crafted tunes that really nail it.

[@fuckcensorship69]

adam neely "touring sucks. i cant believe i lost thousands flying from gig to gig. dont people know im a youtube star?"

[@michaelrussell7356]

Your videos are amazing ❤ I love watching them. You explain things in such an easy to understand way. I’d always wondered how for example a G to a Gm can work and now I know! Thank you 😊

[@robertmoriarty925]

Great lesson! I have no formal training. My first songs were all verses😂. Then I discovered the verse. Now, I’m learning about bridges. The relative minor trick is something I look forward to exploring. Thank you….BTW, beautiful voice.

[@leem1914]

Best and Clearest Explanations I’ve ever heard. Thank you so much. 😊you are a Brilliant Teacher.

[@ADAMSIVES]

This is the best tutorial on this subject I've ever seen! And there are some good ones out there too...

[@timball8429]

Really excellent- thank you for the video. It’s got me thinking.

[@chrisjelley6899]

Wonderful info. Imediately applicable. Just trying to learn the wicked modes, didnt think about building chords with them. Definitely a most useful tool for the kit! Gracias.

[@sailingtheworldwithgreengh6239]

This is really great stuff. I've always wondered why things sound good and why they don't. So I searched on how to write a bridge and found this lesson. Thank you for creating this excellent explanation. I will be looking at more of your videos. Well done!

[@Charliecalvertmusic]

You are wonderful! I love the spirit and clarity you bring to your teaching. I would love to hear you analyze "Year of the Cat". My wife think it's one of best written songs.

[@danbowers20]

Fabulous. You're such an amazing teacher. You make difficult stuff transparent.

[@cimarronfree8451]

So well explained for someone like me without any idea of music theory. Thanks

[@geoffholmes8173]

Neil Finn is a MASTER of the bridge. Song after song of perfect bridges e.g. Twice if You’re Lucky. Just wow.

[@tonycowin]

Agreed. He makes them feel and sound seamless.

[@jpsilvermusic]

Not to take anything away from the content of the video, just want to express my admiration for that gorgeous guitar too. Love that fretboard inlay. Photographs well. Nice one.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

tree of life 🤠

[@cristiansosa1512]

Thank you so much! You explain it so simply and yet it's not a simple topic.

[@dsanj4745]

I'm glad to have discovered your channel. The content you offer is fantastic and I have subscribed.

[@brucemillar]

Great lesson, thank you so much. You just highlighted how bridge deficient my songs are and how vastly better they could be. I even considered doing a song in the form BBAB, utilising each style of bridge, 1,2 & 3, then realised the error of my ways. Seriously though, keep up the great videos, they’re much appreciated and it’s great seeing an Aussie on KZbin for a change. Bruce, Canberra.

[@lightbluedev]

Great explanation. I finally understand how modes are used.

[@SimonBrileyMusic]

thanks for your insights i love piecing together multiple sources of information to derive my own knowledge from

[@leftystrat62]

Thank you for sharing

[@cimmyjarter]

very nicely done and explained and exampled! thank you!

[@MarkRhodesSongs]

Thank you. I found this very helpful and memorable.

[@raydiasdj]

This is a wonderful video, thank you

[@PervertedPodcast]

You can get a lot of mileage with these 3. Also remember the bridge is a chance to flesh out information in the story (just like a movie or novel) that can build the character background and personality that got to them to the story of song/chorus. So that backstory can take you to a totally different genre of music or time signature. You can have a punk rock song with jazz trio bridge!! The bridge really can take the listener to another planet, where the fun challenge is to then musically bring them back to the original story. This was a great video!!

[@b1heqh54]

great video - great instruction - I almost fell over when I saw that g'tar - WOW

[@freespeech-advocate]

that song you did was beautiful

[@gstlb]

Young lady, you are brilliant. Thank you for your gifts via these videos.

[@DreCarvalho]

Amazing video, love it! Thank you for the lesson.

[@vengealdreams6544]

Hmm, that's very interesting Keppie. Especially that modal strategy. Thank you.

[@aaronlarsen7447]

Thank you. This is good stuff.

[@atmoravi]

Thanx for the video! Very well explained the nature of bridge and the ways to approach it for a new author! Loved your song "The last call".

[@Brett.Williams365]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@JohnMcGFrance]

This was so useful. Thank you. I’ve subscribed based on this video and look forward to watching more from your channel.

[@tonyroma7599]

you had helped me to understand music so much more which really has brought life to something i was giving up on. thank you so much, Cheers

[@htws]

You're most welcome, and thanks for the comment. Much appreciated. I'm not sure if this would be of interest to you (it might be, if you are an active songwriter), but we put out other content and host monthly live Q&A sessions, which you can join here: www.patreon.com/howtowritesongs?fan_landing=true

[@LohPro]

i've started 3 songs/beats, using the tips you've shared! thanks very much. One track I have so far makes use of the (I -> v), while another uses progressions revolving around (IV - bVII - vi - III7). Love this channel, you guys take care!

[@htws]

Thanks so much Loh! We just put out a new online mini course, The Songwriting Process Start to Finish, which might be up your alley! You can check it out here: www.udemy.com/course/how-to-write-songs-the-songwriting-process-start-to-finish/?referralCode=8B3DC2EAEAC9833FECBF

[@el0blaino]

Great lesson, thank you! I never heard the term line cliches, but I recognize them from the Beatles and Big Star. And that was the most accessible discussion of modes I've ever heard, usually I just run screaming when those terms get dropped!

[@luizfernandomolina]

I love your lessons and I loved your song

[@leekotvfilms5236]

Needed this🙏🏽thank you

[@amado7760]

really nice, thank you

[@misberave]

Oh my god what an amazing video! This is exactly what i needed to know to finally step up my level of song structuring. I can now analyse all the bridges in my favourite songs and see what method they uses. Thats incredible. I used the relative minor method and i made probably my most advanced song ever today. Also the first song I analysed (God Bless America by Lana Del Rey) uses the Relative Minor method but uses the exact same progression in the bridge as in the pre-chorus. So thats also possible

[@daysleeper3910]

This is really wonderful stuff! Thanks.

[@theodorekorbos2804]

Thank you very much it has been very helpful !!

[@1Z2Zman]

Another great lesson, Keppie! ... your "Last Call" is a real keeper ;-)

[@HRJ1411]

Brilliant vid!

[@briangorman1079]

Thissss channel is gonna be huge. Fantastic content!

[@perry44442000]

Excellent what a great teacher great song brilliant!!!!

[@zipzipp1]

Excellend video, thanks!

[@jetblackkinks]

I love you so much for explaining this to me like this ❤

[@bellygunnermusic]

I liked your song "Last call" thanks for singing it.

[@suntowers1178]

Thanks!

[@ulfsvensson9710]

Very constructive ideas! Thank you.

[@jonsil001]

You're a great teacher!

[@krushgroov1]

thanks for the strategies, these work really well and are clearly explained. it might be helpful to turn the guitar volume up while youre singing though so that the examples you play are easier to hear

[@davidblaine4real]

You're such a good teacher

[@masterbuilder3166]

This is great 👍. First time viewer here. Really enjoyed this lesson. Thank you 💯🎸

[@kalvino67]

This has been your best video to date. Well done!

[@htws]

Thanks so much! Much appreciated. I'm not sure if this would be of interest to you (it might be, if you are an active songwriter), but we put out other content and host monthly live Q&A sessions, which you can join here: www.patreon.com/howtowritesongs?fan_landing=true

[@danielo174]

Very well articulated. Clarified a lot of hazy stuff for me. Thanks.

[@htws]

Glad it was helpful!

[@FinnEcesMusic]

I find these tutorials really insightful

[@nealegordon]

Many thanks - most useful stuff

[@arpeggioblues5924]

EXCELLENT.. thank you !!

[@fishoscine1220]

Incredible video, thanks keppie. I didn't know the name for this kind of chromatic descent I've heard in so many tracks (including my own). I think the Line Cliche in Hey Jude is my favourite example of it

[@klfdqjmqboiklnkq]

Beautiful

[@umagezangobisi]

ok voice!! slay 💖

[@jimwarner8071]

First rate! Thank you.

[@limerot]

Just discovered your channel. Second night in a row (all daylight) - inspired to play some great new stuff. Love from Northern Norway 😀

[@johnmangino3925]

(really need to wait til the end to comment) But this entire video was brilliant. So well explained. I didn’t know the cliche thing was a real thing. Thanks.

[@gwjr111]

Thank you! Helped me to see how learning some more music theory could provide me with greater options in writing songs.

[@htws]

You're most welcome, and thanks for the comment. Much appreciated. I'm not sure if this would be of interest to you (it might be, if you are an active songwriter), but we put out other content and host monthly live Q&A sessions, which you can join here: www.patreon.com/howtowritesongs?fan_landing=true

[@joemccarthy9750]

Excellent explanation and presentation

[@soleloa5090]

your song is beautiful !

[@Tubaka01]

Excellent video.

[@starboy2013]

Thos is great, subbed.

[@kevinkingrey4506]

So many pop songs are now popping into my head where I now hear the relative minor change on the bridge and the line cliche. Daryl Hall's "Every Time You Go" just leapt right out at me. Thanks for spelling all this out.

[@tomtoss2463]

Last call is a beautiful song.

[@LaurenceBotha]

Great!

[@jonnyspade]

The fret board on that guitar is super fun

[@MarsHalekGuitar]

Very well explained!

[@diegozamorano3467]

Awesome explanation

[@LouveniaMusic]

This has quickly become my most watched channel.

[@spencerpowell482]

Great video!

[@funguy29]

Your videos teach me more than 10 years of listening to music. Thank you Thank you Thank you

[@htws]

Thanks so much! Much appreciated. We put out a monthly newsletter, if you're interested! howtowritesongs.org/subscribe-to-the-newsletter

[@challism]

I love it when yotubers point to a video link that they forgot to put in during post-production. ha ha ha Loved your song and your bridge!