The Key

Now, after writing the lyrics, picking the key became simple. Given the context of the song, it should be in a minor key because it is heart wrenching and a bit depressing. After much consideration with my blood brother Gabe, we came down between two keys: B minor and C# minor. After I sang "Feel Nothing" (working title) in each key, we decided to go with B minor because I believed it sounded better and it will be also easier to write in.

One of the most popular songs ever written in B minor would be "Hotel California" by the Eagles.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0G1Ucw5HDg

This has been one of my favorite songs since I was a kid. The lyrics and key mesh together so well, and it's something I want to replicate in my song.

The Tone

Hey everyone! Happy Valentine's Day!

Sorry I missed last friday. Certain circumstances distracted me from my computer.

Today, we will be talking about the use of tone in writing a song. Tone is one of the most important aspects of song writing. Tone creates a certain level of empathy between the audience and the artist. Empathy is what keeps the audience replaying the song, because they feel like the song is about them or can just relate to the song.

A song that I believe accomplishes the very well is Kiss From a Rose by Seal. But not just any version; the Straight No Chaser A Cappella version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tojAeWCP6q0

What this version does is take the already excellent tone of the original and put it into a more emotional a cappella version, which in my opinion makes it ten times better. The shifts in tone from sorrow and longing to passionate and longing is amazing, and is something I might want to replicate in my song. Adding tone shifts increased complexity, something which all great songs have (such as Bohemian Rhapsody and American Pie).

The Muse

The muse is defined as the central inspiration or idea of a song. It can be anything from a break-up to a brand-spanking-new Ford Pickup. Usually, the muse is also central to what is happening in the author's life. An excellent example of this is the song American Pie by Don McLean.

https://soundcloud.com/user4664891/don-mclean-american-pie?in=connor-simrell/sets/the-legends

This song was clearly inspired by the events of World War II. The lyrics at first describe life before the war, and when the music "dies" is clearly a euphemism towards the start of the war or the nuking of Japan.

This most prominent moment in my life right now would have to be being with my new girlfriend. It's like nothing I've ever experienced before with another person, and I feel like I could just pour my heart out into the lyrics.

Here is a verse that I've written that may or may not be used in the final product:

The taste of your skin
Still lingers on my lips
Imprinted memory
Of my hands on your hips

I stare into your eyes
You stare into my soul
You got me where you want me
I'm under your control

The Beginning

There are so many factors that you need to consider when you set out to write an amazing song, and each of these factors needs to grab the listener. You need a relatable muse, tone, and lyrics. Once you've established these, you must address the tempo, the key, the notes and chords, and the vocals, and how you want to include these in the song. After all this work, you will spend hours recording and editing until you have come up with your final product. This entire process could take anywhere from weeks to years. The song Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen supposedly took 7-10 years to get to its perfection of a final product, and took three weeks to record alone. I, on the other hand, have a mere semester to achieve musical greatness.

I will break up these factors (the muse, tone, lyrics, key, notes/chords, vocals, and recording) into individual blog entries that I will be posting every friday until I reach my final product. The road to greatness is a long one, and I want to document every step of my journey. Also, In every blog post I will be including a link to a song that I believe to be excellent, for me as inspiration and for your listening pleasure. This week's song, of course, is Bohemian Rhapsody.

https://soundcloud.com/ecpa/queen-bohemian-rhapsody

Join me on my journey as a novice, though study and passion, attempts to create a musical masterpiece.

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemian_Rhapsody