Hey everyone. Lately some lessons have turned into discussions about the wellbeing of our fellow citizens, friends, and family members. This has sparked questions on how and what we can do about our changing world. Since music has always been a part of protests, movements, and pretty much every aspect of our lives, one thing we can always do is put our worries into words and/or music.
On top of these discussions, students have been branching out to different genres and have asked me to write a song a little more on the pop end of things. I’ve decided to write a song about the main topics of some recent discussions and have put it to what 99.9% of people say they like most about music: “a good beat.”
What is “a good beat?”
“A good beat” is simply a 4 on the floor bass hit (bass drum on the beat in 4/4 time) with a snare on beats 2 and 4 (also in 4/4 time). That’s about it. The main answer you get from people that listen to music to colour their sonic world is “I like music with a good beat.” So, if you’re making a pop song, give it to them.
On top of the good beat, make sure to keep it relatively simple. You won’t hear many popular songs these days that have multiple key changes (aside from the half or whole step in the final chorus to make things seem brighter and more exciting), time signature changes, multiple sections, or even solos on anything except for vocals. Listen to a handful of the latest songs and notice the simplicity of the most popular music of today. Simple doesn’t mean bad; it means simple.
Can we get to the song?
Of course we can. The lyrics I wrote for this one are below in italics as usual. This method of getting out some negative energy isn’t going to change the world over night, but it helps us to remove a little baggage from time to time.
Verse
I don’t think that our system’s workin’ well
We don’t have services for those that are in need
If you have more than anyone then step ahead
You want for nothing so let’s help you first instead
You take it all and give so little back
It’s no wonder that the world’s on its knees
You want some more but there’s little left to give
We play along and we all know
Chorus
It’s not right
The way they hold us down
It’s not right
The way we fend for ourselves
It’s not right
Self-made is not a thing
It’s not right
We built your house you took our everything
Verse
If we could change it do you think that we would?
Thinkin’ we’re near the top but misunderstood
Essential means we need it but we don’t care
We gave our thanks then left them bare
Chorus
It’s not right
The way they hold us down
It’s not right
The way we fend for ourselves
It’s not right
Self-made is not a thing
It’s not right
We built your house you took our everything
Verse
If we all had it all then what would be left?
We have so much we need to get off our chest
We’ve got the time but it is running out
You’ve got your hope I’ve got my doubt
Chorus
It’s not right
The way they hold us down
It’s not right
The way we fend for ourselves
It’s not right
Self-made is not a thing
It’s not right
We built your house you took our everything
Take a listen:
If you notice, there’s only two parts: Verse and Chorus. The chord progression is Amin Cmaj Emin Gmaj which I built from making chords out of each of the notes in an Amin7 chord. The bassline is just an Amin7 chord that climbs up. Simple. Doesn’t change.
This method of having the same backing material for the verse and chorus sections is very common in pop music. You can change the feel with drums, melodies, extra instruments, adding harmonies, subtracting harmonies, and a variety of other ways. Something important to practice is what’s called toplining. Toplining is where you write vocals/melodies over music that’s already written/recorded.
The way I often write music is by writing and recording everything except for the vocal melodies and then adding the vocals as the final touch. I’m not unique in this way at all. Many people write this way because of the ability to then play what you’ve recorded and allow melodies to come to you through improvisation, whistling, humming, or through many other means.
Parting thoughts
We all struggle in our own ways with what’s going on in the world. There’s a common discussion of “everything has to change” going on in the world right now (and all the time, it seems) that reminds me of some words written on one of my favourite professor’s office window: “If you want to change everything, start anywhere.”
If something you want to change is your ability and/or understanding of music, then I can provide assistance through my services. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you’d like to order any lessons or packages of lessons. I always do my best to reply to people as soon as I can and to find a way to fit our lessons into your lifestyle and busy schedule.
Take care, be kind to yourself, and I hope you enjoyed our talk and song this week.
All the best,
– Matt