For Scot or anyone who can help......how do I make the complex sound simple?

[thelonius74]

I have nothing against music that is harmonically complicated. I do have a problem with music that sounds like that though. I really admire music that has very intricate progressions and melodies, forms and sometimes even rhythms, but in the end I still like it to sound like a 3 minute pop tune.

I guess the Beatles sort of started this. In my opinion, the king of this has got to be Paul Simon. '50 ways' and 'still crazy' and pretty much all of his songs are not 3 chord ditties (and I don't have a problem with 3 chord ditties) but they don't sound like that.

I try to do this sometimes in my songwriting and would really appreciate any advice any of you have about it!

[jazzmaster]

I usually use the vocal melody to tie complex stuff together. Often I go with something simple if the chord progression is a little unothadox. It's all about finding common notes between chords and linking them together. Many times you can use very similar melodies for verse and chorus and let the change in the chord progression/harmony do the work for you. You can do the same with bass lines. A simple bass line that remains constant thoughout your chord changes can really help anchor things.

[ScottWMF]

me?

[thelonius74]

Originally posted by ScottWMF
me?

I meant jones...but anyone who has advice!! :)

[dr fuse]

Crazy harmony - simple melody
crazy melody - simple harmony
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