I am New and want to start writing songs?

[triweeklyllama]

i just wanted to know some things in regards to chord arrangement. Before i start writing a song do i have to choose which key i want to do it in? If i was to do a song in C would i only use the chords that make the key of C(C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, Bo)? If i am on piano playing chords along with melody will the melody that i make follow the chords changes. For example if i was to play C chord and use melody notes in C and then change to Em, would my melody notes change to the scales in Em.

Thanks in advance for any help on these questions.

[Janszoon]

Just play what sounds good, figure out the theory later.

[triweeklyllama]

i know but i would really like to know the theory now.

[Janszoon]

Originally Posted by triweeklyllama

i know but i would really like to know the theory now.

Well you asked if you have to choose the key before you start writing a song. I'm telling you the answer is no.

[someonecompletelyrandom]

Yeah, I mean if you have any sense of feeling for the music you can just rely on that. Theory should mostly be a retrospective thing, in my personal opinion, and the emotion should come first. But some composers like to lay ground work, and there's nothing wrong with that. Just do it however you feel comfortable - there is no standard.

[triweeklyllama]

i understand what you guys are saying but i would really like a basic starting ground. It will be easier for me to work out what sounds good if i have some parametres to work with. I thought everysong was in a certain key. I would really like my questions answered if anybody knows. Thx

[Janszoon]

Originally Posted by triweeklyllama

i understand what you guys are saying but i would really like a basic starting ground. It will be easier for me to work out what sounds good if i have some parametres to work with. I thought everysong was in a certain key. I would really like my questions answered if anybody knows. Thx

We have answered your questions.

[triweeklyllama]

you havn't answered any of my question except "no" to do you have pick a key to write a song in.

[Janszoon]

Originally Posted by triweeklyllama

you havn't answered any of my question except "no" to do you have pick a key to write a song in.

Well, wasn't that what you were asking?

[Burning Down]

Originally Posted by triweeklyllama

i just wanted to know some things in regards to chord arrangement. Before i start writing a song do i have to choose which key i want to do it in? If i was to do a song in C would i only use the chords that make the key of C(C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, Bo)? If i am on piano playing chords along with melody will the melody that i make follow the chords changes. For example if i was to play C chord and use melody notes in C and then change to Em, would my melody notes change to the scales in Em.

Thanks in advance for any help on these questions.

I'll try and answer this the best I can. It's a great question! Firstly, it's a good idea to pick a key that you want to write in. This will make it easier for you to create a basic chord structure. It is more common to use the 1st, 4th, and 5th chords in a given key (for example in the key of C, those would be C, F, and G). But you're not limited to just those chords when writing in a key. Diminished chords aren't used too often in major keys. Secondly, the melody should follow the chord progression. For example, if the chord underneath the melody is F, the accented notes in the melody should be F A or C (G too if it's a 7th chord). You can use notes from the rest of the scale too on occurred. Hope that helps a little bit.