SIS Learning Series: 3-in-1 Creative Tools Using Song Analysis Instructors: Chris Klimecky Evan Hulse Griffin

Part 1: SIMPLE TRICKS TO SPICE UP YOUR CHORD PROGRESSIONS Griffin

TERMINOLOGY Diatonic: Involving the notes of the scale without chromatic alteration Chromatic: Using notes not belonging to the diatonic scale Step Movement: Stepping up and down by a single note in the scale Common Tone Movement: Altering a single note of the current chord Harmonic Movement: Following the circle of fifths/fourths

ROMAN NUMERAL ANALYSIS Why? It frees us from consideration of key signatures and can be applied to any key or scale. Upper case represent Major chords: In the standard major scale I, IV, and V are major chords Lower case represents minor chords: In the standard major scale ii, iii, and vi are minor chords

EXAMPLE IN THE KEY OF C Notes of the scale: CDEFGAB Chords: IC major iiD minor iiiE minor IVF major VG major viA minor

STEP MOVEMENT Steps up and down the diatonic scale Common examples:vi V IV V vi My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion Rolling in the Deep - Adele

COMMON-TONE MOVEMENT Changes a single note to create a new chord Common examples:I vi IV Daylight - Maroon 5 Walking In Memphis – Marc Cohn Complicated – Avril Lavigne

HARMONIC MOVEMENT Following the circle of fifths/fourths Common examples:iii vi ii V I You Can't Hurry Love - Phil Collins iii vi ii V (IV) Goodnight Saigon - Billy Joel

HARMONIC MOVEMENT ii V I IV V I ii V I versus IV V I Generally weaker because of minor chord More common in Jazz and Classical music Generally bolder because all major chords More common in Rock, Country, and Gospel

FEEL OF MOVEMENT TYPES Step movement is gentler and less dynamic Common tone movement is a little more dynamic Harmonic movement is very dynamic

CONTRAST AND DYNAMICS Consider using different types of movement to create dynamics and contrast between sections. For example, if you were to use predominantly step movement in your verses, consider using harmonic movement in your chorus for contrast. Bridges should always be a departure from the rest of the song, so in this case it would make sense to use more common tone movement in the bridge.

STANDARD DEVIATIONS Don’t be limited to the Diatonic scale in which you begin. There are other chords that you can use. Here are a few examples: IV to iv shift V of the V (V/V) bVII (subdominant)

IV to the iv shift Shifting from the major IV to the minor iv can add an interesting twist to an otherwise common progression Common examples: Jar of Hearts – Christina Perri Wake Me Up When September Ends – Green Day

V of the V Replacing a minor chord with a Dominant seventh creates a bolder sound with more dynamic direction Referred to as the five of the five but can actually be the five of the two, the five of the three, etc. Common examples: Piano Man – Billy Joel Good Day Sunshine - Beatles

bVII (subtonic) Can be used to replace the dominant V chord Can replace the diminished chord in the harmonic movement chain IV vii° iii vi ii V I becomes IV bVII iii vi ii V I NOTE: The bVII uses the same notes as the vii° except the root is a half step lower. It uses the same third and fifth.

CHORD SUBSTITUTIONS Common chord substitutions IVivFive of… VbVIIii VII V iiIVvi iiVI ii IViiiii viIII vi chain them togetheriii vi ii VIII VI II V V 7 I bII 7 I(Tritone substitute)

SIS Learning Series: 3-in-1 Creative Tools Using Song Analysis Featuring: Chris Klimecky Evan Hulse Griffin