Key Stage 3 Music - Song Writing

Lesson 1

Lesson Objectives

To know what chord progressions and keys are

To be able to compose and evaluate a 4 bar chord progression in a chosen key


Starter

Watch this video by Axis of Awesome to learn how pop music can recycle the same chords.

Songs such as "Where is the love?" by B.E.P and "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz are similar because they use the same 4 chord pattern as each other. To make sure they don't sound the same, the artist has changed the lyrics and melody line, creating a whole new song.

Chords:    I     V    VI     IV

Which in the Key of C are…

C D E F G A B C   

or

C     G       Am    F

        

As a class, we are going to use the same 4 chords and create a "Mash Up".

An example arrangement/"Mash Up" could be:

The chords will always remain the same underneath.

If there are any other songs you want to include or think may work, let your teacher know.


Links to previous learning

Remember some of the common chord progressions we have used so far

  Am G C (Riptide)
  Am C G (Shake It Off) 
  Am G C F (Stitches)
  C Am F G (Rude)
  C G F Am (4 Chords)

These chord progressions are all in the key of C
What chords are we allowed to use to compose a chord progression in the key of C?

These song are in different keys. Can you identify which key?

  Em C B (7 Nation Army) 
  A E D A (Chasing Cars) 
  A E F#m D (Someone Like You)


Practical - Class

As a class compose a 4 bar chord progression in the key of C.

  • Is it happy/sad/somewhere in the between?
  • Is it for a specific genre (rock/hip hop/rap)?
  • What would happen if we changed ...?
  • How can we make this 16 bars?


Practical - Pairs

In pairs compose a 4 bar chord progression in the key of C. (Or if you fancy a challenge try a different key)

If you get stuck start with one of the chord progressions above and try changing it around.

Evaluate your chord progression using the questions above.


Fancy a Challenge?

  • Compose a contrasting 4 bar Chord Progression (for a bridge or chorus)
  • What happens if you have 2 chords in one bar?
  • Can you change the key?
    • G (F#)
    • D (F#, C#)
    • A (F#, C#, G#)


Plenary

As a class listen and evaluate a variety of chord progressions.



Using You Initiative

Can you learn to play part or all of this song for next lesson?

What key is it in?

What is the chord progression in the verse?

What is the chord progression in the pre-chorus?

What is the chord progression in the chorus?