Let's Socialize

[SubRivers]

It might be an idea to try to cover a well known song - just a 30s clip of one is enough.

It doesn't matter which song just something that is simple so not hard to re-create.
Also has to have a reference for it on YouTube that we all can hear.

I am curious as to how you would deal with the chords and harmonies in a situation where you had a reference to guide you

[CTWF]

Irwin, I wrote to you years(?) ago that a proper song usually has a hook - a simple short memorable one line melody (e.g. a part of the chorus) that someone can hum or play on a piano with one finger.

Please provide the hook, i.e. the main melodic idea, for your song.

No hook, no song.

[cosmicdolphin]

No hook, no song.

I think it's more basic than that Tom, you could have a song in a TV show that has no hook because they want it to remain in the background more.

However, No Harmonic Structure = No Song ( at least in Western Music which is what we're aiming for here )

[Casey H]

No hook, no song.

I think it's more basic than that Tom, you could have a song in a TV show that has no hook because they want it to remain in the background more.

My experience has been that you'd be hard pressed to get a VOCAL song in a good library with no hook, usually a chorus. While it's true the usages are background, often quite buried, the libraries still want good songs to start with. They want songs they can pitch to a wide variety of potential uses. I've heard library owners including from the "critical" library that they generally listen for a good chorus. Hooks matter. And it's Songwriting 101 for anyone trying to get into this business.

However, No Harmonic Structure = No Song ( at least in Western Music which is what we're aiming for here )

That goes without saying. A melody that follows a key, instruments playing in time and not clashing, etc. are required. Or else it's just a pile of noise.

[CTWF]

Let's say, there should be a short and simple melodic line which could be understood as the core of the track.

[irwin]

I have a question guys, is it all my music (meaning) drums pattern, bass and everything I played into my music production creation that's bad or is it just the chord progressions.

Irwin

[irwin]

Please provide the hook, i.e. the main melodic idea, for your song.

No hook, no song.

Hi CTWF, about the song's hook. I thought "Let's Socialize" was the hook of my song.

I'm I wrong about that?.

The hook is the chorus, is it that what you are asking me to present to you?

Irwin

[cosmicdolphin]

I have a question guys, is it all my music (meaning) drums pattern, bass and everything I played into my music production creation that's bad or is it just the chord progressions.

Irwin

I would say it's pretty much everything but it's hard to tell exactly

[CTWF]

Please provide the hook, i.e. the main melodic idea, for your song.

No hook, no song.

Hi CTWF, about the song's hook. I thought "Let's Socialize" was the hook of my song.

I'm I wrong about that?.

The hook is the chorus, is it that what you are asking me to present to you?

Irwin

She says, not even really sings, "let' socialize". This is no hook, sorry. Forum folks can correct me if I am wrong.

[audiogust]

Hi Irwin,

Another suggestion for making songs that fit a specific key is to look at a tool like Hooktheory.com. They have some great tools for figuring out chord progressions as well as thousands of popular songs broken down so you can see what chords they use at https://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab. The other nice thing is they have some lessons on basic harmonic theory that are very approachable and using the numeric method for understanding chords within a key, it becomes much simpler to create chord progressions that will work for your songs.

I have no connection to Hooktheory, but it has been a great tool for me as I've worked on creating more interesting chord progressions in my songs.

Best of luck!
-Chris