General Music Chat

Someone said, ". . . it is a bit ridiculous to think that you can create something completely new . . ."
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Baloney!
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If it is not completely new to me, I won't even play it!
I have about 450 - 500 chords which I play with. Using just 2 chords, and not even considering rhythm - that's well over 200,000 chord combinations.
Using just 3 chords, in a song, now you have well over 91 million chord combinations to choose from.
Most of my newer songs range from 12 - 30 chords, give or take.
With an average of 15 chords, now there are well over
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6283298709000000000000000000000000000000 chord combinations.
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That was 30 'zeros,' by the way . . .
Now - throw in a mix of about 4 dozen rhythms I use . . . well, forget it.
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Ridiculous to think that you can create something new, huh?
Horse-pucky!
Yeah, maybe if you only know 20 chords . . .
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Go out and learn 25 new chords . . . you'll be writing something new, too . . .

To be completely honest I don't know half of the chords I play. If it sounds nice then I use it so to speak.

Because I am a wacko with ideas in the true sense. Finding out what I played a few, no a lot of years ago has been really damned hard but the first fruit is about to blossom.

Nothing new referred to chords and not arrangements I suspect. The number of chords in a song doesn't distinguish it from another either does it? But I think like you if you have more feathers it just adds more dimension.

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6283298709000000000000000000000000000000 chord combinations.
.
That was 30 'zeros,' by the way . . .
Now - throw in a mix of about 4 dozen rhythms I use . . . well, forget it.
.
Ridiculous to think that you can create something new, huh?
Horse-pucky!
Yeah, maybe if you only know 20 chords . . .
.
Go out and learn 25 new chords . . . you'll be writing something new, too . . .

That's not surprising, Excel's math library isn't up to scientific calculations. I would write a little FORTRAN program, that's still the standard for math. FORTRAN (Formula Translation) was my first programming class back in 1985.

But the real point is, of course there's an infinite number of variations, the trick is writing some that people really love. Most people (non-musicians) tune out if they hear too many or unusual chords, or if there are lots of time signature changes or weird harmonies. Give 'em the old fastball right down the chute. The thing the average listener wants is a good beat, catchy melody and cool lyrics (this last item is optional these days).

Exactly why I know I'll never be rich and famous Danger. I have an odd ear for music in any case, I like the beat, Specials, Genesis, Depech Mode, Afex Twin and a lot of very unusual music, most classical stuff too.

I ain't got now chance.

Most people (non-musicians) tune out if they hear too many or unusual chords, or if there are lots of time signature changes or weird harmonies. Give 'em the old fastball right down the chute. The thing the average listener wants is a good beat, catchy melody and cool lyrics (this last item is optional these days).