When Will It End?

Song Endings 

 

How do you end a song? Sometimes ending a song can be the most frustrating thing ever. Here's 5 techniques that will help you to complete this task with ease.

1. State of Suspension

Extend the finishing notes to a perfect close. This can also work for songs, with people holding onto the last note longer and then suddenly releasing. Regardless of the type, this is a classic way for ending songs and works really well. When people hear a songs notes holding out longer than usual, they naturally expect the song to end. Don't disappoint them.

2. Loop and Decrease

A popular method when you just can't find out how to get that finishing touch to end a song. Instead of creating a clear ending, just loop the last section of a song over and continue to decrease the volume until nothing can be heard. Soon after that point of nothingness, the song should end. Not a bad technique, and it makes your listeners feel as if your song is not really ending, but rather that they are just moving away from the source of the music. To put it another way, the journey never really ends, but they just aren't a part of it any longer.

3. The Power of Friction

Near the end of your song, slow the tempo down. When people hear the tempo begin to decrease, they know the song is ending. Use this technique and people won't be surprised or mad at you when your song suddenly ends.

4. Clashing Cymbals

End your song with a bang, a clash, or a loud boom. Cymbals, gongs, and timpani crescendos work very well for this. When you use this technique, you are definitely making it easier on yourself. Without much brain power, you just need to find out the right tool that will signal that your song is about to end. It's not too hard, unless of course, you choose to end a really mild or gentle song in this way. Then, you're in trouble. Good luck trying to get a clashing cymbal to finish off your peaceful new age song.

5. Fancy Finale

I'm sure this one is the most well-known. After all, who doesn't want to end a song with a magnificent flourish, showcasing your amazing ability to end songs with style! Almost everybody does. The truth is though, this isn't always the best way to end a song, and, quite frankly, it's definitely one of the hardest, unless you opt for a cliche finale which won't impress anyone. Still, if you manage to create a unique and impressive finale, you will definitely awe your audience. So, keep in mind the other four techniques, but always keep an eye (or perhaps an ear) out for opportunities to implement this one as well.

That was definitely insightful for me. I think I learn more from these posts than even those who read it! Come back soon for another post regarding key changes and how to use them and which ones are the best.

Epic Chord Progressions

  Lord of the Ring's Chord Progressions 

1. Gandalf Falls

This first chord progression is one I'll name after one of my favorite songs from the Lord of the Rings. In case you haven't guessed which part of the movie it's from, it's from the first movie, the part when Gandalf falls off of the bridge in the Mines of Moria. Let's do this chord progression in 4/4 time signature, each chord taking up a whole measure. The chords are as follows a minor, F major, C major, and G major. This chord progression is not only very useful, it is also very common and popular. It can definitely be used to make sad songs, but, if used properly, it can also be used to make epic and triumphant songs. This song is used in the beginning of Enya's song May It Be.

2. The Shire

This chord progression is from the first movie of the Lord of the Rings, near the beginning. It's focused on the hobbits. There are different chords used in this theme, as it develops throughout the movies, but we will just focus on the simplest one found near the start of the movie. Using 4/4 time signature, these are the chords used as well as how many measures they take up. Here they are: F major (4 measures). B flat major (2 measures), F major (1 measure), C major (1 measure). If you want to make melancholy and beautiful compositions, this is definitely a good one to use.

That's all for now. Come back later for more music tips.

 

Composing Haunting Music

Haunting Music Tips

1. Octave of Terror

One way to create a song which has a scary mood is to hit an octave with your left hand. As octaves by themselves don't really sound minor or major (your brain usually just choose whichever one you're more comfortable with), you need to establish the minor sound with your right hand. I hope you agree that a major sound doesn't really work for creepy music.

Ok, now that that's out of the way, let's get to work. Let's start by hitting both A notes. Try to hit a low A octave if possible. Probably avoid the very lowest of any minor octave as they really stop sounding scary at that point and just start sounding ugly. That's all for this technique.

2. Chilling Suspense

Now, pressing the right pedal, hit the A octave with your left hand and keep holding it down. Now's where the melody comes in. Create a melody (with your right hand) which uses the notes found in an A minor chord. Try to hit different notes. No double-hitting any notes. Listen for the cold sound which comes from executing this tip perfectly.

3. Ethereal Vapors

When creating the melody with your right hand, use the high notes on the piano. The contrast between the low bass in the left hand and the high notes in the right hand makes for a really eerie sound. Last note--maybe avoid the very highest octave as this doesn't really sound that good.

That's all for now. Come back later with more piano composition advice!