[Yoozer]

Originally Posted by Trance Explorer

i guess you can tell i dont know much

i know how to work out a chord. but how does that apply to writing riffs? do i only use the 3 notes in that chord?

A riff is (a lot of the times) 4 chords in a row. It doesn't have to do with the tones used in the chord, but a lot more with the root note of the chord.

For instance, you've got a C major. This is

C-E-G.

This chord has variations - instead of C-E-G you can play E-C-G and G-C-E (the first note is the lowest in pitch).

Of those chords, C is still the root note (basis).

Chord progressions can follow the I-IV-V system. This shows the 'distance' between the white keys. If you started counting at C and every semitone added 1, the I-IV-V would look like 0 - 5 - 7.

So let's start with the C-E-G. We add 7 - which brings us at G-B-D. Alternatively we could choose to play a minor chord - G-Bb-D, or a variation of that so it'd be D-G-Bb (the actual 'distance' would then be C>D, E>G, G>Bb - 'smaller' than with the original).

We could then return to F (because Bb + 7 = F) and play C-F-A, and then top it off with a G major again.

That gives you Cmaj > Gmin > Fmaj > Gmaj and would form a nice basis for a guitar-based pop song.

A way to learn all this is to listen to an awful lot of pop, write the chords down, and find certain patterns. Then when you're composing yourself you'll slip into the routine; which'll be more inspiring since you won't be looking for chords, resulting in faster songwriting and easier jamming with friends.

Then you can 'spice' the chords up - with 7's and 9's. Just sprinkle 'm on, see what it does.

i hear people talking about using chord progressions and picking chords when they start to write a song.

its all really confusing

Nah. Just check out http://www.chordmaps.com/ and it'll give you a 'map' with frequently-used chords - all you have to do is pick a starting point and a direction.

Or buy a Korg Karma