Band Quote by Jimmy Webb
“Even if chords are simple, they should rub. They should have dissonances in them. I've always used a lot of alternate bass lines, suspensions, widely spaced voicings. Dfferent textures to get very warm chords. Sometimes you're setting up strange chords by placing a chord in front of it that's going to set it off like a diamond in a gold band. It's not just finding interesting chords, it's how you sequence them, like stringing together pearls on a string. ... Interesting chords will compel interesting melodies. It's very hard to write a boring melody to an interesting chord sequence.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Music Composition Talk, 2015
Complex chords gain interest through tension and varied textures, making melodies naturally engaging.
In simple terms: Interesting chords create compelling melodies.
Key Takeaway
Use tension and varied voicings.
Themes
music theory
creativity
arrangement
Mood
inspired
thoughtful
Type
educational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- songwriting
- jazz improvisation
- film scoring
- arranging
- producing
Key Concepts
dissonance
suspensions
alternate bass
voicing
texture
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance tension and clarity?
- When should simplicity prevail?
A Different Perspective
Overly complex chords can overwhelm listeners if not balanced.
