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How to Write Chord Sequences

A Harmony Sourcebook for Songwriters, Third Edition

Rikky Rooksby

Originally published in 2003, the revised and updated third edition of The Songwriting Sourcebook is the third entry in Rikky Rooksby's bestselling How to Write Songs series. This easy-to-use book will help you write better songs by explaining the art of writing effective chord sequences. It shows:

• How three and four chords can lay the foundation for a simple song, and how to move on to progressions using five and six chords

• How to give your chord sequences additional color by adding chords that are not strictly in key, including blues chords

• How to write chord sequences for songs in minor keys as well as major keys, and how to take progressions into new territories by changing key

• How to fine-tune the color of your chords by understanding the emotional potential of sevenths, sixths and ninths

All examples come with easy-to-read guitar chord boxes, and the accompanying tracks feature original recordings that illustrate key points made in the book.

  • Details
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  • Author
  • Author
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Backbeat
Pages: 232 • Trim: 7½ x 9
978-1-4930-6538-7 • Paperback • December 2022 • $22.95 • (£17.99)
978-1-4930-6788-6 • eBook • December 2022 • $21.50 • (£16.99)
Subjects: Music / Instruction & Study / Appreciation

Rikky Rooksby is a composer, songwriter, guitar teacher, and writer. He is the author of Backbeat’s bestselling How to Write Songs series, which includes How to Write Songs on Guitar, Riffs, and Chordmaster, along with many other books about popular music.

How to Write Chord Sequences

A Harmony Sourcebook for Songwriters, Third Edition

Cover Image
Paperback
eBook
Summary
Summary
  • Originally published in 2003, the revised and updated third edition of The Songwriting Sourcebook is the third entry in Rikky Rooksby's bestselling How to Write Songs series. This easy-to-use book will help you write better songs by explaining the art of writing effective chord sequences. It shows:

    • How three and four chords can lay the foundation for a simple song, and how to move on to progressions using five and six chords

    • How to give your chord sequences additional color by adding chords that are not strictly in key, including blues chords

    • How to write chord sequences for songs in minor keys as well as major keys, and how to take progressions into new territories by changing key

    • How to fine-tune the color of your chords by understanding the emotional potential of sevenths, sixths and ninths

    All examples come with easy-to-read guitar chord boxes, and the accompanying tracks feature original recordings that illustrate key points made in the book.

Details
Details
  • Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Backbeat
    Pages: 232 • Trim: 7½ x 9
    978-1-4930-6538-7 • Paperback • December 2022 • $22.95 • (£17.99)
    978-1-4930-6788-6 • eBook • December 2022 • $21.50 • (£16.99)
    Subjects: Music / Instruction & Study / Appreciation
Author
Author
  • Rikky Rooksby is a composer, songwriter, guitar teacher, and writer. He is the author of Backbeat’s bestselling How to Write Songs series, which includes How to Write Songs on Guitar, Riffs, and Chordmaster, along with many other books about popular music.

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