The Only Music Theory You Actually Need to Start Writing Better Songs
Music theory can feel like a giant mountain of rules.
Scales. Modes. Circle of Fifths. Modal interchange. Secondary dominants… 😵💫
You start learning and suddenly feel like you need a degree just to write a decent chord progression.
But here’s the truth:
Most great songwriters only use a handful of theory concepts — they just use them really well.
So in this post, I’m going to break down the only theory you actually need to start writing better songs — stuff you can hear, see on your fretboard, and use today.
🎸 1. Major and Minor Keys
This is the foundation. Every key has 7 chords — and learning how to find those chords is one of the fastest ways to start writing music that actually sounds good.
In the key of C major, your chords are:
C – Dm – Em – F – G – Am – Bdim
(Or using Roman numerals: I – ii – iii – IV – V – vi – vii°)
💡 Most songs are built by mixing and matching a few of these — like I–IV–V or vi–IV–I–V.
If you're in G major? Same shapes — just shifted up.
🧱 2. Chord Progressions That Actually Work
You don’t need 50 progression ideas — you need 3 or 4 solid ones that always deliver.
Try these to start:
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I–V–vi–IV (The "Let It Be" / "With or Without You" progression)
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vi–IV–I–V (Used in loads of modern pop and rock)
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I–IV–V (The foundation of blues, rock, and early pop)
Once you know what key you're in, these become easy to swap and experiment with.
🎯 3. Relative Minor / Major
Every major key has a relative minor (same notes, different starting point). Knowing this opens up more emotional range in your songwriting.
C major’s relative minor = A minor
G major’s relative minor = E minor
You can start a song in a major key, then switch to its relative minor to add contrast and depth — super effective.
🎨 4. Tension and Resolution
This is what gives music movement — the feeling of a question and an answer.
For example:
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V → I is the strongest resolution in Western music. It just feels right.
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Try building tension on the V chord, and then resolve it home to I.
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Want to go emotional? Move from I to vi (major to minor).
You're not just playing chords — you’re telling a story. Theory helps you shape that story on purpose.
🎶 5. Melody Over Chords
Ever write a cool progression, but the melody feels… off?
Here’s a cheat: use chord tones (the 1st, 3rd, or 5th of each chord) in your melody, especially on strong beats. It instantly makes things sound more intentional.
Example:
If you're playing a C chord, melody notes like C, E, or G will feel stable and connected.
🧠 You Don’t Need to Know Everything — You Just Need to Use What You Know
That’s the big secret:
Great songwriting doesn’t come from knowing “more” — it comes from knowing the essentials and using them intentionally.
You don’t need to memorise obscure scales or advanced harmony to write something powerful.
You need to:
✅ Understand keys
✅ Know your basic chords
✅ Use simple progressions well
✅ Create emotional shifts
✅ Let the melody and harmony work together
👇 Want Help Putting Theory into Practice?
If theory still feels disconnected from your playing, I made Play Smarter: Music Theory in Action just for you.
It’s a low-cost, practical course that shows you:
🎸 How to understand keys, chords, and progressions
✏️ How to use theory in songwriting — not just memorise it
🎵 How to write music that sounds intentional and expressive
👂 How to hear what you’re playing and trust your ear
👉 Check it out here — and finally start making music with confidence.
Theory can be complicated, but it's well worth it! If you get stuck, I'm always an email away.
Jamie
