Chord Leading in Surf?

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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Music General Discussion »

Chord Leading in Surf?

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NDJMC Joined: Dec 17, 2007 Posts: 3	Posted on Dec 17 2007 01:11 PM Hey all New guy here, I am a bit of a diatonic theory nerd and I have a question for those blessed with this knowledge... If Rock is I-IV-V and Jazz is ii-V-I what is surf? Thanks!!!!! Top
Ruhar Joined: Jun 21, 2007 Posts: 3909 San Diego, CA	Posted on Dec 17 2007 01:16 PM Hey NDJMC, welcome to sg101! IMHO I don't think you can easily say that surf is some standard chord progression. You'll find plenty of I-IV-V minor changes for sure, but you'll also find infinite combinations/variations that borrow from a lot of musical genres from around the world, including some pretty exotic modal type stuff. That's what I really dig about surf and instro music in general. You're not really put in any particular box. I try an not really worry if a tune is conforming to a particular progression. Just play what sounds good/interesting/not-done-to-death. Again, just my $.02 — Ryan The Secret Samurai Website The Secret Samurai on Facebook Top
NDJMC Joined: Dec 17, 2007 Posts: 3	Posted on Dec 17 2007 01:20 PM Ruhar Hey NDJMC, welcome to sg101! IMHO I don't think you can easily say that surf is some standard chord progression. You'll find plenty of I-IV-V minor changes for sure, but you'll also find infinite combinations/variations that borrow from a lot of musical genres from around the world, including some pretty exotic modal type stuff. That's what I really dig about surf and instro music in general. You're not really put in any particular box. I try an not really worry if a tune is conforming to a particular progression. Just play what sounds good/interesting/not-done-to-death. Again, just my $.02 Awesome stuff...thats the kind of stuff I was hoping for.....Thanks! I as well don't like to stick with a formula, but its a good way to start out a "sketch" of a tune.. Top
Ruhar Joined: Jun 21, 2007 Posts: 3909 San Diego, CA	Posted on Dec 17 2007 01:24 PM No worries. Be sure and check out some Space Cossacks or The Madeira for some really cool exotic interpretations of surf. — Ryan The Secret Samurai Website The Secret Samurai on Facebook Top
zak Joined: Sep 24, 2007 Posts: 2728	Posted on Dec 17 2007 01:52 PM This post has been removed by the author. Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 16:14:32 Top
WR Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 3832 netherlands	Posted on Dec 17 2007 02:22 PM Zak's just coverd all surf chord theory one needs to know in six lines. — Rules to live by #314: "When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is." https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/ Top
NDJMC Joined: Dec 17, 2007 Posts: 3	Posted on Dec 17 2007 02:25 PM No kidding....that was great....Thanks everyone! Top
revmike Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3806 North Atlantic	Posted on Dec 18 2007 08:33 AM I like the way Zak put it too. I've always thought most surf tunes were based on "Wipe Out", "Pipeline" & "Miserlou", or some kind of combination of the different parts. Heck, the mid chord section of "Miserlou" is the same as the mid section of "Pipeline", etc Rev — Canadian Surf http://www.urbansurfkings.com/ Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11053 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Dec 18 2007 09:23 AM The key is simplicity of chord structure, allowing for the melody to be both distinct and accessible. This I believe is the number one rule of typical surf music. Even if you look at some of the current masters of the genre working more progressive styles - Wronski, Pongracic,Dobronyi, etc... you'll find the chordal structures relatively simple. It's the rhythmic interplay and inventive turns of melody that give the songs character. — Danny Snyder "With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF Top
Mr_Reverb63 Joined: Jul 10, 2007 Posts: 916 San Pablo, CA	Posted on Dec 18 2007 03:33 PM mann this really helped me out a lot. i've written a couple of songs, but i dont know jack about chord structures or wahtever. i have a question for u guys in bands who write ur own songs. is it easier to come up with a chord progression and then a melody, or what? the songs i've made up have all come up out of nowhere where i'll be jamming along to a drum beat and i'll just go like mann this sounds good and then go on from there and MAYBE remember how i played that later on haha. what do u guys usually do when u guys are trying to come up with a song? sorry im just a guy that plays stuff mostly by ear and understands only a little bit of music terms . i.e chord names etc — -Zanti Instagram: My IG Combo Tezeta IG Top
Ruhar Joined: Jun 21, 2007 Posts: 3909 San Diego, CA	Posted on Dec 18 2007 03:40 PM Mr_Reverb63: Check out this discussion by Ferenc (Pollo Del Mar). I think it addresses some of your questions. Some sage words of wisdom there. — Ryan The Secret Samurai Website The Secret Samurai on Facebook Top
Mr_Reverb63 Joined: Jul 10, 2007 Posts: 916 San Pablo, CA	Posted on Dec 18 2007 04:02 PM wow thanks!!!! — -Zanti Instagram: My IG Combo Tezeta IG Top
surfer Joined: Apr 12, 2007 Posts: 428 South Florida	Posted on Dec 20 2007 07:20 AM The age old question, what comes first. Another take on it is synergy. I usually come up with as exotic a chord pattern as I feel, maybe a basic melody, then play / record it for our left guitar. he puts his spin on it, and usually a whole different feel starts to happen, then we get our bass player involved who has great piano chops as well, and he rearanges it, then we tell the drummer what to do. Over the years of quiting / getting thrown out of bands I've come to realize that it works best when everyone shares in the synergy. — www.cutbacksurfband.com Top
xxreverbxx Joined: Jun 08, 2007 Posts: 75	Posted on Dec 24 2007 05:19 PM surfer I've come to realize that it works best when everyone shares in the synergy. That works for us. I like to come up with a melody line that I feel has a hook in it, and also bring a couple of ideas for a "B" & "C" part. The song really will come together when the bass player and drummer add and/or change things around as we work it. I've found the tunes turn out better when more players are involved in the process, everyone plays with more conviction when they have some ownership in the song. www.therelix.com — Is that too much reverb? Top
reverburrito Joined: Nov 06, 2007 Posts: 25 Arkansas	Posted on Dec 31 2007 11:00 AM IMHO... In instro surf, melody is the defining characeristic. You can tell when songs are riff oriented. They seem more driving, overly structured and have less flow. Melody oriented songs have a chord structure thats supportive and flows more evenly. When I'm coming up with ideas, the best ones usually start with a chording structure that supports the melody (I'll sing this in my head then transpose it to the guitar). Of course, running it through the band and being open to any changes or input without getting your ego bruised is also key. Top
Ruhar Joined: Jun 21, 2007 Posts: 3909 San Diego, CA	Posted on Dec 31 2007 11:10 AM reverburrito Of course, running it through the band and being open to any changes or input without getting your ego bruised is also key. Well said! — Ryan The Secret Samurai Website The Secret Samurai on Facebook Top
Helldaddy Joined: Jan 04, 2008 Posts: 18 DC Area	Posted on Jan 04 2008 09:01 PM I like this thread. I am new at all of this but a big fan of teh surfs. Top

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