This week’s challenge was to consider how to add music to the lyrics I have written for the first draft of the first song I have written (possibly the only song, we will see how this inquiry goes!).

I thought about writing and recording all of the musical elements this week, but I realized that with the piles of assignments that are due, that was simply way too much to tackle. Taking six courses at once makes for a busy semester!

So I broke down the musical component into some distinct parts. First, deciding on a key, and creating a general chord structure and time signature. Secondly, I can add melodies to the words, and perhaps some kind of overarching melody through the chorus to make it stick in your head. Lastly, I will try to figure out some kind of anchoring riff, and/or a musical only piece to open and/or close the song. After these phases end, I will record the song and finalize the instrumentation choice.

The first choice is picking a key. I considered doing a minor key, because this song ended up becoming way more introspective (and kind of philosophical?) than I was expecting it to. However, I think actually working in a major key adds a further element of dissonance as it juxtaposes these types of lyrics with a happier bubbly pop sound. F major and B major are some of my favourite major keys.

I’ve chosen to do F major because the chords are easier to play on guitar, and this gives me more creative flexibility than B major barred chords (I have access to a piano, guitar, microphone, and basic music editing software). I can also transpose my chords later if I really want to come back to B major (it might be easier to sing in for my vocal range).

The most basic way to write a song in a specific key is using a combination of the I, III, and IV chords of that key. You can also throw in the 2nd and the 7th for some interesting colour. Typically, you want a musical “phrase” to start and end on the I chord (it can be thought of as an anchor). At least, this is what I have learned throughout my years playing music and doing way more piano theory than I ever wanted to (which, in retrospect, I do see the value of now!)

If you are unfamiliar with music theory (or like to see what I have described in a different way with excellent visuals) I found a short youtube video that explains it very well! I will also be trying to consider these tips in my chording process.

I have also decided to either write my music in 4/4 time or 6/8 time, depending on which fits the flow of my lyrics better. These are two time signatures I am very comfortable in.

Unfortunately, I did not reach my goal of chording out my lyrics this week. I got swamped with work, and simply did not have time to prioritize this. However, I think that doing the chords while trying to find an anchoring “catchy” melody over the chorus are two tasks that should fit hand in hand. I also have a general framework of focusing on I, III, IV for the chorus, maybe expanding to include a II or a 7 in the verses that should get me going pretty quickly.

Stay tuned next week to see where I end up!

Cover Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash