Songwriting Lesson Questions... Options

[drummingguitaris...]

A couple of questions from your Songwriting Lesson, prefaced by the fact that it is amazing! And I feel as if I can finally write my own original stuff!

1. When you variate the progression changes in places like the chorus, bridge, etc...what is the way you do that? Do you just pick a random chord between I and VII, or do you specifically change to another number that still fits with the intervals that match the chord you originally had in place? I know they are interchangeable, but how do you know which "interchangability" is the best? (That seems vague, I hope you understand what I'm talking about.)

2. I noticed this song was written in D. If I apply the intervals for the minor scale (say Em for example).. (I know major is WWHWWWH), can I use this same structure as with tonic subtonic mediant etc to construct a relatively minor song? Or applying the intervals to a harmonic minor scale? How does this relate to modes? (Aeolian, Phrygian, etc)...

3. When you pick out the notes to add on to the chord, are they just random pickings, or basic intervals that stretch beyond the chord shape but remain actually in the scale? And for the intro (picking), is it just picking out the shape of the chord?

4. When you have the notes of the scale tabbed out in Roman numerals (I-VII), how do you decide what chords are major/minor...Are the intervals named such? I been reading Andrew's theory lessons, and don't see anything that could point me out to it. Maybe a supporting link?

Thanks in advance, I'll be sure to ask anymore questions that I have.

This post has been edited by drummingguitarist06: Apr 9 2008, 04:06 AM

[Ivan Milenkovic]

I think I already answered first 3 questions, and for the 4th one, The lesson about modes or chords are a good way to start. Also I think Andrew can point you out better, just ask him on the Pinned topic for newcomers.

Regarding chords, I VI and V are major since they have major third interval, and II III VI are minor since they have minor third interval.