It’s been tedious sleepless nights, a lot of hair loss and not to mention a spasmic jaw from all the frustration and anger you’ve accumulated due to the fact that you just can’t get that progression you hear on award winning dance hits.
I think its due time to introduce you to relative majors and minors; that in essence, will help you write a winning musical progression.
Let’s start of by choosing a tonic/root key for our piece. Let’s use C major for example. Have a look at the C major scale.
Each major key lives right next door to its relative minor key. In the case of C major, it’s A minor. And the figure below shows the relation.
Have a look at C major’s 6th, 7th and 8th intervals. They are in fact the tonic, 2nd and 3rd intervals for A minor. This can give the artist a great advantage of taking the listener from one tonic key, into another; causing great tension and release. Which in essence, forms one of the most powerful secret ingredients for music composition.
The biggest headache for most musicians is always the question: Where to progress to? You started in C (for example), now to change key… Knowing relative keys is a great way to get a sense of direction for a musical progression. Here are some more examples of relative keys.
G major – relative key – E minor
D major – relative key – B minor
A major – relative key – F minor
B major – relative key – G minor
E major – relative key – C# minor
The more you practise these relatives, the more you’ll be able to hear the relation instead of just seeing it on black and white on paper. Now that we have a sense of the relative keys, here’s a great example of the most common chord progressions for C:
1. C – Am – Dm – G
2. C – Am – F – G
3. C – Am – G
Have a look at how the relative A minor becomes the 2nd progression away from C major. So it becomes clear that knowing each key’s relative key, will put you well on your way of writing a hit song; with that power progression you’ve always wanted. Have a look at the figures below for some great chord progressions to get you going.
Once you feel comfortable with some of your favourite keys’ relatives, then feel free to play around. Move up, or even down to a relative. These are amazing direction boards, especially in ‘chordy’ Urban House’, to help you find the next progression.
Always remember, a book/tutorial can show you guidelines, but it’s very important to listen to what works and what sounds wrong. If the piece gives you a sense of emotional attachment, then obviously it works. Keep it, and build on that. You’ll hear and feel immediately if the progression doesn’t work. Get your mates to listen. Focus on their response. Their response is normally a dead giveaway.
Another great way to ‘ground’ the progression (solidify the tonic), is to play a bass note on the same progression. This will give the chord progression a strong backbone and enhance the listener’s experience quite a bit. Once you’re ready, programme a drum pocket, some percussion and off you go!
Written By : Willie Els (Pziezzo Electric)
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