#PMT Challenge 1 Chord Progressions Key of C
Verse
C Am F G
Chorus
Dm G Dm G Dm G C
Iāve modified my earlier chord progression in G to get more āmovementā and apply some of the concepts from class2.
A basic amp-to-iphone recording, appreciate any and all feedback!:
My new progression is:
|G |G6 |Em |Em7 |
|Am |Asus4 |Bm |C |
|Csus2 |Em |Am |D |
Chorus:
|G Em |Am D7|G Em|Am D7| 3x
I like this version more than several earlier attempts but am not very satisfied with the Bm to C to CSus2 portion. I tried to get the āmovementā and āmelody partā to ring out more clearly by playing the G6 without the pinky on the high E (string 1) and the Em7 with pinky on the āDā on string 2.
While working on this, I wound up discovering how different voicings, inversions and instruments can influence musical choicesā¦ I first tried working out the progression on a piano. I am not great at piano, and my son offered to help me. He got a lot more āmovementā out of a very similar progression:
|G |G6 |Em |Em7 |
|Am |Asus4 |A5 |D |
|F#dim |F |Am |D |
by using inversions that added a lot more āspiceā, for lack of a better word. wBut when I tried the same chords on guitar, it didnāt sound good - I couldnāt play the G to G6 with a D in the base, for example. I will try to upload a recording of the piano version if I can get him to play it again 
When reading music/tab is there a way from the notes that we could tell the strumming pattern or picking pattern that would work best? I know itās depends on the song and a few other things but didnāt know if there was a general rule or not.
Just uploaded a revised arrangement of my progression, making it a little simpler.
When working on the exercise for Class 2 I realised Iād boxed myself into a corner, by adding some semblance of a strumming pattern. This more basic framework gives me some scope for exploring the melody. I can then determine where the rhythm goes based on melody, lyrics or both. 
https://soundcloud.com/tobyjenner/pmt-live-project
Verse Am Am Em Em x 2
Link/Bridge Am C Em Em x 2
Verse Am Am Em Em x 2
Pre Chorus Am C Em Em x 2
Chorus G Dm Am Am x
Outro Am to fade
Contemplating one cycle of Chorus as an Intro. 
Copyright : Madmanās Music Studios Normandy 
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Agreed that the simpler framework will make it easier to develop a melody line. Sounding dark and ominous; be interesting to see what direction you go from here!
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Very nice Tobyā¦it sounds kind of mystical. While listening I also happened to think it would be a perfect intro for some heavy metal songā¦I donāt know why I expected a distorted electric guitar to burst in and start rocking 
ā¦just my feeling!
The question is: what came first, the egg or the chicken? 
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A very good point Silva, I think there a multitude of approaches and thereās no right or wrong.
As to the progression, yes mystical and moody. So its good youāre picking up on that. I can definitely hear some pimping power chords as a potential development but one step at a time. 
Sounds like I am pushing the right buttons. As to the direction, I am still looking for the map !
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Richard,
Did you mean fret 3 of the 5th string and fret 1 of the 2nd string?
Crikey.
Double typos.
Thanks for noticing and giving me an alert.
I have now corrected both errors.
Richard
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No worries. Given your prodigious amount of work in replying to our theory questions, I think we can forgive the occasional typo. 