composition, nubers of bars

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Brett
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2007/05/05 06:45:47 (permalink)

composition, nubers of bars


This is normally a forum for discussing audio techniques rather than composition. This is a vague question and I know people will be inclined to answer "if it sounds OK" but I would like peoples' opinions, surely others have thought about this.

My music partner writes melodies and lyrics, then I write the accompaniment and structure of the song. What I find is that I'm often dealing with unusual numbers of bars (measures). It's now I realise that although I have good music theory knowledge I don't have a lot of experience of other songs; I normally play heavy metal and I'm writing pop rock.

At the moment I have a song with this structure:

intro: 4 bars
verse: 8 bars
chorus 10 bars
interlude: 8 bars

Is the 10 bars of the chorus a problem? To me it sounds fine, but I've been working on this for a while and I'm wondering if a band playing it would have trouble. The chords are Eb Gm Eb Gm Eb Gm Eb Gm Eb Gm, which doesn't particularly lead anywhere, but the melody does come to a natural resolution.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Brett



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    jamesg1213
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    RE: composition, nubers of bars 2007/05/05 07:53:20 (permalink)
    My music partner writes melodies and lyrics


    Same here Brett, I usually work to a rough accapella melody from him first, and yes, there are some instances where an extra bar or two will creep in where you wouldn't expect it if you were just playing guitar, working out chords sequences.

    It doesn't stand out though if the melody feels right, there's certainly no need to restrict yourself to groups of 4 bars.

    I think it's a good approach, because the song is melody driven from the word go. I bet you end up with some unexpected chords too huh?

     
    Jyemz
     
     
     



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    #2
    Brett
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    RE: composition, nubers of bars 2007/05/05 08:31:38 (permalink)

    Yeah, she comes out with some lovely melodies. The chords have a lot of major 7ths, minor 7ths and 9ths and more minors than I point a stick at. It's the scales she uses which amazes me, once I've got that worked the chords drop out OK. This new song is a minor in Eb (3 flats) which would normally be Cminor but this is Gminor which makes it the G phrygian (I think).

    Brett

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    kayehl
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    RE: composition, nubers of bars 2007/05/05 08:32:04 (permalink)
    Is the 10 bars of the chorus a problem?


    I would say it's an advantage. I'm for anything that helps break a song out of the 4x4x4x4 syndrome.

    Now the
    Eb Gm Eb Gm Eb Gm Eb Gm Eb Gm
    on the other hand . . .

    Just kidding! Nothing wrong with that either


    I am not an expert
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    serauk
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    RE: composition, nubers of bars 2007/05/05 09:42:55 (permalink)
    brett - absolutely nothing wrong with odd ball patterns - at least its an even number - I have songs that have 7 bar choruses and 5 bar intros - the only trouble I've ever had is getting someone else to play it - I guess they don't teach odd rhythm any more... Dave Brubeck, where are you when we need you?
    post edited by serauk - 2007/05/05 09:43:55

    CMWright
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    gnie
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    RE: composition, nubers of bars 2007/05/05 11:41:45 (permalink)
    I wouldn't concern myself at all with it.
    Seconding kayehl's sentiment about breaking the molds.
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    Brett
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    RE: composition, nubers of bars 2007/05/05 11:49:18 (permalink)


    Well this thing is certainly an epic, currently at a touch under 6 minutes. I'm not worried about stange measure counts as everyone will be asleep and not notice!

    B


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    jacktheexcynic
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    RE: composition, nubers of bars 2007/05/05 17:46:54 (permalink)
    the important thing is not the number of measures but what's going on musically during the extra 2 in the chorus. it might not need to be repeated for the second (break into the bridge right away) or third (break into the chorus repeat right away) choruses...

    - jack the ex-cynic
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