Just 4 chords

[Paul_Woodlock]

This is excellent!!!

And yup 4 chords and you’re a music capitalist slave

Axis of Awesome - 4 Four Chord Song (with song titles)

[philter]

Yep, I V VI IV is the order of the day it seems. This is how you sell music. All based on familiarity. The non-muso hears it as an old friend and embraces it. The muso throws up

[alexis]

@Paul Woodlock

This is excellent!!!

And yup 4 chords and you’re a music capitalist slave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pidokakU4I

It is excellent!

Was “Let It Be” the 1st one? Ever?

[foolomon]

@Steve Fogal

But on the other hand, ever changing chords on a single song produces too many changes for the average listener to latch onto, takes little with them after the song ends.

Normally I would agree with you, but the huge, 800 lb., glaring exception to this rule is Steely Dan. Go look up the chords to Babylon Sister sometime, or find a good MIDI rendition, import it into Cubase, and view the score for it.

[Lenny_Lee]

@Steve Fogal

Simple chords, simple melodies, recurring hooks produces a infectious & memorable lines.

But on the other hand, ever changing chords on a single song produces too many changes for the average listener to latch onto, takes little with them after the song ends.

Some music has so many changes and way too often that it almost makes no sense and almost no memorable melody will be left for the listener.

It’s not how many notes or chords you can cram into the smallest of spaces.

Yes, and for that reason, ‘Yes, We Have No Bananas’ is the perfect song which can never be improved on.
Not even sure why we keep trying??

[Lenny_Lee]

@foolomon

Normally I would agree with you, but the huge, 800 lb., glaring exception to this rule is Steely Dan. Go look up the chords to Babylon Sister sometime, or find a good MIDI rendition, import it into Cubase, and view the score for it.

Yes, even SD’s simpler songs tend to be somewhat complex in the arrangements, yet they’re very listenable
and enjoy mass appeal. It’s all a matter of taste.
Some people enjoy movies with some depth to the story line, while others are perfectly happy
to spend their entire lives watching reruns of The Three Stooges.

[Paul_Woodlock]

Paul McCartney wrote a song with one chord in his Wings days.

John Cage wrote a song with no chords.

[alexis]

“Tomorrow Never Knows” - John Lennon - 1 chord.

[Mikem]

@alexis

“Tomorrow Never Knows” - John Lennon - 1 chord.

Nah, I’d say it has two, even if the bass part doesn’t change–the horns definitely do Bb over the C drone of the rest of the song.

[system]

@Paul Woodlock

Paul McCartney wrote a song with one chord in his Wings days.

John Cage wrote a song with no chords.

Both overestimated for musical worth…

[Paul_Woodlock]

@Lord Snarebottom

@Paul Woodlock

Paul McCartney wrote a song with one chord in his Wings days.

John Cage wrote a song with no chords.

Both overestimated for musical worth…

Well 4’ 33" is just complete pretentious nonsense IMO.

I rather like many of McCartney’s songs, 3especially from teh Wings Days. Shame about his keyboard player

[system]

@Paul Woodlock

@Lord Snarebottom

@Paul Woodlock

Paul McCartney wrote a song with one chord in his Wings days.

John Cage wrote a song with no chords.

Both overestimated for musical worth…

Well 4’ 33" is just complete pretentious nonsense IMO.

Absolutely, and the pretentious pseudo-intellectuals over at KVR would crucify you for that statement.

[Paul_Woodlock]

@Lord Snarebottom

@Paul Woodlock

@Lord Snarebottom

Both overestimated for musical worth…

Well 4’ 33" is just complete pretentious nonsense IMO.

Absolutely, and the pretentious pseudo-intellectuals over at KVR would crucify you for that statement.

They might try. That sort of vacuous rubbish is easily brushed off.

Kings new clothes testicular pendulous swingings.

[Paul_Woodlock]

@Steve Fogal

@foolomon

@Steve Fogal

But on the other hand, ever changing chords on a single song produces too many changes for the average listener to latch onto, takes little with them after the song ends.

Normally I would agree with you, but the huge, 800 lb., glaring exception to this rule is Steely Dan. Go look up the chords to Babylon Sister sometime, or find a good MIDI rendition, import it into Cubase, and view the score for it.

I used to love Steely Dan, “Reelin’ In The Years” was my favorite next to “Peg”.

I was generalizing…Of course there are exceptions and often more than meets the eyes/ears until you listen closely. One can start off with the most simple parts, layer parts over that, remove the original simpler part, and the more complex parts remain. “Simple” translates into more continuity for the average listener.

For me, more notes and chords, just to have more notes and chords (as often it seems to be that one is trying to impress based on that) don’t impress me, neither do less note or chords, but more like if it just sounds good overall.

Although the almost sycophantic rantings of Steely Dan wannabes is hilarious, I have to say that Steely Dan have made some wonderful records, including “Reelin’ In The Years”, which are impeccably mixed. But they are no stature above many other productions. Earth Wind and Fire, for example, are just as good IMO, and their productions have enabled complexed arrangements to be mixed with superb clarity and punch.

Personally I couldn’t care less how many chords a song has as long as it stimulates me.

[HornForHire]

@Paul Woodlock

This is excellent!!!

And yup 4 chords and you’re a music capitalist slave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pidokakU4I

Yes, I saw this before, great stuff!