Chords & Harmony
Most songwriters need far less theory than they think, and the part they do need is unusually concrete: which chords tend to follow which, how to write them down so the notation survives editing the lyric, and how to find chords that fit a melody already in your head.
These guides stay on that practical ground. They cover notating chords alongside lyrics, the progressions that recur across popular music and why they work, harmonizing a melody after the fact, and the Nashville Number System, which is how working musicians talk about progressions without committing to a key.
4 guides in this topic
How to Harmonize a Melody You've Already Written
Learn how to harmonize a melody: find the key, spot the notes on strong beats, match chords that contain them, and test progressions by ear. A practical guide.
Common Chord Progressions for Songwriters (And the Feelings They Create)
The chord progressions that actually get used in songwriting (I–V–vi–IV, I–IV–V, ii–V–I and more), what each one feels like, and how to use them in your own songs.
The Nashville Number System: A Songwriter's Guide
What the Nashville Number System is, how to read and write it, and why songwriters and session players use numbers instead of chord names to stay key-independent.
How to Add Chords to Lyrics: A Practical Guide for Songwriters
Learn how to write chord symbols above your lyrics, choose the right chord placement, and keep chords and words together as you edit. Practical tips for songwriter-musicians.
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