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What is the correct balance between diatonic and non-diatonic chords?


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Posted

I'd like to ask everyone's opinion.

 

What do you think is the best ratio between diatonic and non-diatonic chords in a song?

 

Sometimes a progression that is completely diatonic can sound bland and too predictable.

 

Using out of key chords can sound pleasantly weird, however.

Posted

142:853 is a good radio. :D

 

Seriously though, I think each song has it's own sort of identity and sometimes complete diatonic harmony is cool. Sometimes really chromatic sounds are good. A good change of pace here and there in a song is always refreshing though.

 

I'm working on a piece right now by Ben Monder that has a lovely diatonic melody and for the first few minutes of the song is mostly in Ab and sometimes Db. Then, in the middle of the song, the diatonic approach to melody remains, but the harmony gets really really weird.

 

I did a transcription of it if you're interested. The song is called "In Memoriam"

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Posted

In my opinion, less is more when it comes to chromatic chord progressions versus diatonic chord progressions. And, of course, context is everything.

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