A music question...

I know there are many fine musos amongst the contributors to this forum, especially when I listen to the music you have recorded, so maybe someone can advise me on a composing/arranging matter.

If I work on a piece that basically I want to play through three times, changing sounds and rhythm variations progressively, I would like to play some kind of bridge before coming in for the third time. I know that the Pad 5 (or 6 if minor key) often provides something suitable, but what I want advice on is how to go about writing my own bridge (is 'bridge' the right word?). For example, should it be based on a standard chord progression? Any tips on how the melody of the bridge relates / does not relate to the melody of the song?

What do the pro's do?

Thanks,
Mike

if you look in the blue book, the chord progressions of the preset pad 5 and 6 are pretty standard, and give a good idea.

obviously the most important thing is to end on a suitable lead in chord for the melody, eg G7 if in C.

for the melody, try turning the existing melody upside down!!! it will sound weird but a little playing around with the first few notes often comes up with something fresh that works.

Mike: The former response is a good one. If you are familiar with the I, II, V sequence of chords (i.e. I = home or base chord, II = second note of scale in minor 7th chord form, and V = dominant 7th chord), all V chords generally lead back to I--for example, in the key of C, I = C, II = Dm7 and V = G7. So, since most tunes end on the home or base chord (e.g. in the key of C, usually the last chord is C or C6), then you can generally play the V chord and begin your song again. When you want to slide into another key, a similar idea can be used, always using the V chord of the key you want to move to to slide into the new key/song, (although sometimes moving from one key to another requires a chord or two between the final base chord of the first key and the new V chord of the next key to make a smooth transition into the next V chord of the new key). Hope this doesn't confuse you; somehow I find it easier to DO than to explain!!!! Let me know how it works for you either here in the Forum or via e-mail. Good luck and happy playing.

Ted Rose





[This message has been edited by Ted Rose (edited 04-08-2002).]

Thanks for your replies, Alec and Ted. Now you mention it, Alec, I remember seeing those chord progressions in the blue book.

I'll have a go with these suggestions this evening.

Regards,
Mike

I think I am missing something here. What is the blue book?

I think the reference is to the Blue Book that came with your keyboard
SX-KN---- Reference Guide
The kn6000 guide is a 44 page book 8.5 x 11
BEBOP

Blue Book? What Blue Book ? I certainly didn't get one with my KN6000

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Willum

It should have been sealed in the packaging with the owners manual and guarantee card, Bill.

This is the book which you should have with all the suggested song titles for each style.plus lots more useful information like tone lists etc.



[This message has been edited by peter.bentley@talk21.com (edited 04-09-2002).]

Thanks for the info - I certainly did not receive one with my keyboard and the package was not opened. My KN6000 was probably one of the first in UK - or so I was told - maybe the Blue Book was not included with the first few ?
One of our regular forum members has very kindly offered to lend me his copy so that I can have a look at it and 'extract' any useful information. (expect my scanner may be busy! )

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Willum