From the course: The Songwriter's Toolkit: Learning from the Masters

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Never use the tonic chord

Never use the tonic chord - Sibelius Tutorial

From the course: The Songwriter's Toolkit: Learning from the Masters

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Never use the tonic chord

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- [Instructor] Just as there are songs that go to the tonic chord in an unusual place there are also some songs that barely use the tonic chord at all. It's a very subtle and complex technique, but when it's done well, it can be used to incredible effect some great examples of this technique can be found in Fleetwood Mac's Dreams, Katy Perry's Teenage Dream, Jimmy Webb's Wichita Lineman, made famous by Glen Campbell, The Beach Boys' God Only Knows, and Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's Ain't no mountain high enough. The effect this technique has is quite dramatic and can give a song an even dreamlike or floaty feel. Let me show you how me can use this trick by revisiting the timeless folk song, Bad friend. Let me play it to you in its original state, this time through the chorus (piano music) ♪ Why are you so mean to me ♪ ♪ It's not the guy you're supposed to be ♪ ♪ You say things I don't comprehend ♪ ♪ Aren't you supposed to be my friend ♪ ♪ You're a bad friend ♪ ♪ You're a bad friend…

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