I have a lot of students with the desire to create their own music and songs. Over the years, I have been able to get things going, in the songwriting department, by teaching chord studies and then eventually encouraging students to piece the chords together in their own unique ways. I like to start with the C Major scale. After learning the Major scale and the chord progressions that follow (The I, IV, and V7 chords), it’s time to find a song with only the C, F, and G chords (there are so many out there). I first show them how to read the chords in a fake book, and then I give them a little pattern to follow: either the root note in the left hand bass line and the right hand playing the block chords in 4 beats, or maybe just some simple arpeggios.
They are usually thrilled with the beautiful music that they are making without actually reading music. After they have learned how to put 3 chords together, I usually encourage students to try piecing the 3 chords together in a song that they make up. They can either write words to it, or make it an instrumental. If it’s an instrumental, the teacher can always make up a duet part. That’s a good way to show improvisation in action.
Here are some good songs to begin chord studies with:
“Love Me Do” (C, G, D7)
“Iris” (Em, C, G, D)
“Surfin’ USA” (A7, D, G)
“Twist and Shout” (D, G, A7)
About the Author
When I was just a college Junior, I started teaching private guitar lessons in order to support myself. I was in a rock band, writing songs and performing on a regular basis, and I certainly did not plan on becoming a teacher. My plan was to graduate, get a job in social work, and just continue writing songs. Teaching surprised me. I ended up falling in love with the act of guiding a student from point a to point b. To watch someone go from knowing nothing about a subject, to simply performing in a recital, is such an awesome thing. I ended up scrapping that social work idea. I was doing more good as a teacher, minus the intense stress that most social workers go home with. I currently have a busy program that teaches private guitar, piano, and voice lessons in Los Angeles homes. I am also the creator of the music and service blog 38 Ways to Change the World Through Music.
by sherif ram — Sat May 17, 2008 @ 1:54 am