Words with chords added ?

Subject: Words with chords added ?
From: terrier
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 09:42 AM

I've just searched the Mudcat threads right back to the beginning of time and there's quite a few threads discussing different ways of adding chords to sets of words. Now, if I already know the tune to the song written out, I can see that showing the chords could be a useful insight as to how the song could be performed, but if the tune is not added to the words, then how are the chords useful? I see loads of 'lyr add' threads where a great deal of effort is put in to posting the chords with the words, so how is this useful if no tune is in evidence? Confused Terrier.(genuine question btw)

Subject: RE: Words with chords added ?
From: meself
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 09:47 AM

It is useful to have the chords if you already know the melody and want to accompany yourself or someone else, but don't know or can't figure out which chords to use. Otherwise - that is, if you don't already know the melody that whoever posted the chords has in mind - the chords are of no use to you.

Subject: RE: Words with chords added ?
From: leeneia2
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 02:57 PM

A person might know the tune already, as Meself points out. Or one might be so delighted with the words that s/he searches for an mp3, MIDI or video of the work and learns the tune. Then the chords are right to hand.

Subject: RE: Words with chords added ?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 03:34 PM

And you can always cobble up your own tune based on the Chord run -
Thats all Jazz Men do when improvising ! Write a Counter melody !

Subject: RE: Words with chords added ?
From: terrier
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 06:24 AM

I thought I was missing some simple formua to glean the tune from the chords, but unless you know the tune, evidently, the chords are useless. Would it not be better to put the extra work into producing a guide to the tune using, say, ABC notation, Tonic-sol-fa or MIDI? There must be ways of getting a tune onto a text based forum such as Mudcat. The chords typed in alongside the words could then be an added bonus. I'm trying to think of simple ways to publish a tune whilst not using a video of the song on YouTube or Facebook.

Subject: RE: Words with chords added ?
From: GUEST,TonyA
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 07:52 AM

I often do that in my own songbook while learning a song. Even if I'm familiar with the tune, I may have difficulty reproducing it accurately, or I may want to try different variations, so I pencil in a line of melody notes below the words while studying it.

And I usually end up with a slightly different melody than what everyone else sings, so sometimes I leave the melody notes in place permanently. And of course rhythm affects how the melody works, so I usually underline stressed syllables in the text.

I once posted a song here in that format, with underlined syllables, chords above and melody below, using Courier font, but it was a lot of work.