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How to Write a Rock Chord Progression Song

Many classic rock songs, such as "Teenager in Love," "Poor Little Fool," "Oh Donna," "Runaround Sue" and "Octopus's Garden" are all written in a four-chord progression known as the rock-and-roll chord progression. You can write a song of your own once you know and understand this style of music. Writing a song is not hard. All you need are lyrics and a melody.

Things You'll Need

  • Writing utensils
  • Instrument such as a keyboard, guitar or autoharp that plays chords.
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Instructions

  1. Understand the Chord Progression

    • 1

      Learn the notes of the scale. For instance, the C scale has the notes C, D, E, F, G, A and B. Each of these notes can represent a chord.

    • 2

      Play rock and roll with the first, sixth minor, fourth and fifth major seventh chords. In our example, that would be the chords C, A minor, F and G7 played in that order.

    • 3

      Know that in the key of G, you would play the chords G, E minor, C and D7.

    • 4

      Practice playing this chord progression in different rhythms on your instrument until you are comfortable and competent in making the chord changes.

    Write the Lyrics

    • 5

      Start with having something to say. Some might call that an inspiration. Many songs are about love, in some form or other.

    • 6

      Try to keep your lyric lines similar in length and meter. Many rock songs are written in two or four-line stanzas.

    • 7

      Write three to five verses and a chorus for your song. The chorus can break out of the progression if you want to have a little change. The song "Runaround Sue" has a chorus that is not written in the same chord progression as the verses.

    Combine the Words and Music

    • 8

      Begin playing the chords in the rhythm you want for your song.

    • 9

      Sing along with the chords. You may have to raise or lower your voice until you hit the correct starting note.

    • 10

      Continue singing and playing until you have worked out where all the chord changes come in the song.

    • 11

      Practice until you feel good about singing and playing the song.

    • 12

      Go out and become a star.

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