Here is the final post for my personal challenge. During this two week, i was figuring how to create a music by my own and try to play it.
1. Decide on a general song idea.It means that to decide on a theme, or perhaps an audience. For instance, i would like to write a song for my girl friend about her wedding.
2. Choose a key and a tempo.Each key and each tempo can affect listeners differently, and are essential elements in what kind of atmosphere or mood that the song possesses. Play scales and chords in the keys that you’re comfortable with, then choose a key that feels like it fits the theme of what you’re conveying. Pick a tempo that matches your general song idea. For example, key of E gives a high energy, cheerful music, and key of c gives a slow and calm feeling.
3.The I-IV-V-vi chords. This means the root chord which is the chord that share the key’s name. The dominant (the fifth chord above the root), the subdominant (the fourth chord above the root), and six chord (a minor chord).
4. Play the chords in different orders. Play four beats for each chord in the key and tempo that chosen, going from one chord to the next in different orders.
5. Write down the progression and keep playing. Take note of the order that you like best and then play it over and over, thinking about the theme that decided upon. If i’m dedicated the song to my mom, then keep her image in my mind, maybe have a photo of her on my piano. Listen carefully to the chords and concentrate, and i may be able to “hear” lyrics begin to pop up in my head.
6. Jot down everything. Every word, every phrase, every chord change should go down on that staff paper, even if you think they sound silly or they don’t sound good together. Something that sounds terrible today may sound great next week, or maybe even in another song that you find yourself working on down the road. Think of yourself simply as a reporter, jotting down what you’re hearing.
7. Think of your song’s lyrics as a box within a box, within a box. One helpful tip for songwriting, which I learned in an online course from a professor of songwriting at the Berkelee College of Music, is to think of a great song unfolding like a small box that’s found within a larger box, which is found in a larger box still. The first box, or verse, that you open should give a general view of the world that you’ve created in your song. You can open with something general, just like you’re beginning an important conversation. In the second verse, reveal more.
8. Build the bridge. Not every song has to have a bridge. Many songs don’t. But I think that it can be a useful element. It can break up a song if you’ve chosen to change keys for it or simply change the progression. But more importantly, the bridge can be the very climax of a song.
9. Make a final draft. Some songs may be written in a matter of minutes, like John Denver’s “Annie’s Song”, but most take a few days or weeks to polish. Over time, making notes and changes on the original staff paper, a final version will come together. Make a final draft on a new sheet of staff paper with lyrics.
These are the steps for writing your own music, and i try to make my own.
Above is the song that i created. I just a beginner in piano, so it might be very simple. Here is the video: https://youtu.be/UHaz0Jw5JAI
For the past six week, i really learn a lot from this personal challenge. Learn to play the piano is not a easy skill, and i think i did it.
Finally, thanks for reading and i hope you enjoy it.
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