Instead of thinking in terms of chords, I think of…
![“Instead of thinking in terms of chords, I think of voice-leading; that is, melody line and bass line, and where the bass line goes. If you do that, you'll have the right chord. [These voices] will give you some alternatives, and you can play those different alternatives to hear which one suits…” quote by Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/b5c/paul-simon-1703_alternatives_instead-of-thinking-in-terms-of-chords-i_623789.png)
“Instead of thinking in terms of chords, I think of voice-leading; that is, melody line and bass line, and where the bass line goes. If you do that, you'll have the right chord. [These voices] will give you some alternatives, and you can play those different alternatives to hear which one suits your ear. Keep the bass line moving so you don't stay in one spot: if you have an interesting bass line and you roll it against the melody, the chords are going to come out right.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Focus on voice leading and bass movement to determine appropriate chords, emphasizing melodic interaction over static harmony.
In simple terms: Use bass and melody to guide chord choices.
Key Takeaway
Let bass movement shape harmony.
Themes
music theory
composition
voice leading
Mood
creative
technical
Type
educational
musical
When to use this quote
- songwriting
- arranging
- instrumental practice
Key Concepts
harmonic function
melodic interaction
Questions to Reflect On
- How does bass movement influence your songwriting?
- What alternatives arise from different voice leading?
A Different Perspective
May be less applicable to non‑Western music systems.