songwriting tips 5

The Blues meets European Logic




The Blues usually means a 12 bar chord progression

based on the the major chords in a major key

in G it's G C & D

then each one is changed into a 7 type chord

and presented in an order that's similar to this

||G7 / / / | G7 / / / | G7 / / / | G7 / / / |

| C7 / / / | C7 / / / | G7 / / / | G7 / / / |

| D7 / / / | C7 / / / | G7 / / / | D7 / / / ||

The amount of bars is really only a guide

"Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash

has an 11 bar blues sequence.


European Logic makes sense.

we modulate between modes of the same pitch.

the Nirvana formula uses Major Scale to Natural Minor Mode

"Smells Like Teen Spirit"

|| F / Bb / | Ab / Db / ||

F & Bb are from F Major

Ab & Db are from F Natural Minor(Ab)

"I Feel Fine" by The Beatles

Exploits a G7 blues for the verses

with a G Major chord progression in the middle section.

a good example for songwriting tips 5

The Blues meets European Logic

see it here


there's more to come

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