Danie Nel Music Blog

There are probably method-songwriters out there. In fact, I know how to write a song that everybody will say, ‘aaaw, that’s nice’ and possibly even whistle the tune for about half a minute, and by the next day, they’ll vaguely remember I wrote a song. In fact, here’s a tip. If you’re a muso, play G-D-Em7-Cadd2. Repeat. Now sing a melody by randomly throwing G and D and E notes around. You’ll have a chorus in about 3 attempts. What’s the problem with that. Well, to some people, none. They’ll get an absolute trip playing an singing that type of song all the time. Just to be fair, a good number of my songs have that (I-V-III-IV) progression and it does work like a charm in a chorus, but there’s only so much, then I want some dissonance. Something just left of centre, or at least in another key! For instance, the last song I recorded, Uit die Wereld (in final track production), starts in B major key (with some 6ths and and dim VII), hits G major in the chorus and A major in the bridge. Now, it doesn’t sit that comfortably on the ear, and certainly won’t be in the “Nashville Guide to writing a hit-song”, but it sounds right to ME. I work as a commercial photographer by day. I actually totally love shooting commercial, acceptable stuff, but when it comes to music, that elusive surprise is what I seek. I’m not interested in writing a song that just sounds right per se, but it needs to surprise me. Almost like; ‘whoa, where dit that come from?!’. But it’s not easy surprising yourself. And I’m trying. But I have to confess, lately, I’ve not been able to. But I’ll keep looking.

A video from a song that kinda surprised me at how UNLIKE me it was…