We took a look at harmonies today, which is an area I like to think I am relatively strong in. As someone with a background in piano, figuring out chords and keys is something I find a lot of ease in doing. Chords such as sus4 and sus2 chords, major and dominant 7ths and chord inversions are all concepts I am quite familiar with. It was fun to revisit the classic “Axis Chord Progression (1). I was a bit intrigued by the cyclic chord progression (2). While I would have liked to have explored this avenue further in writing a group song, we instead utilised one of our Group member’s songs called “Sketches”. It utilised interesting key changes, going from D major to A-flat major. While the person who wrote the song said she did it because it “sounded cool”, it was interesting to think about the theory behind it. Utilising chords and key changes that form tritones makes a sound that is dissonant yet interesting. I’m interested to see if I can incorporate such chords and key changes in my songs. I also hope to be more comfortable in my use of non-diatonic chords, as it’s something that I can find a bit daunting.
Chords and Lyrics:
Sketches
Key: D Major
G A
Why are you so upset?
Can’t paint like Picasso yet
Performing artefacts
You’re like the weeping woman, so in debt
And no nothing could make you better
You better start praying
Go talk to Maria
Chorus
Key: A flat Major (G sharp major)
D Flat, A Flat, B Flat
Can’t read between the sketches
The art of failing is hard to master
We’re white sheets hung over walls
Waiting for an art piece disaster
G A
(1) The Axis of Awesome, “4 Chords | Music Videos | The Axis Of Awesome”, Jul 21, 2011
(2) Rotumah, Grayson. “Harmony Part 1” Workshop presented at the course Song Writing and Performance 1A, Hartley Building, University of Adelaide, April 4, 2022
Songwriting Journal 