--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've never used the word jamming. It's a…" description: "\"I've never used the word jamming. It's a matter of finding a great song and learning the chords, then slightly altering the vocal melody, and matching ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5de/m-ward-11792_chords_i-ve-never-used-the-word-jamming-it-s-a_1922086.jpg" --- # I've never used the word jamming. It's a matter of finding… ![“I've never used the word jamming. It's a matter of finding a great song and learning the chords, then slightly altering the vocal melody, and matching a classic chord progression with another chord progression.” quote by M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5de/m-ward-11792_chords_i-ve-never-used-the-word-jamming-it-s-a_1922086.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5de/m-ward-11792_chords_i-ve-never-used-the-word-jamming-it-s-a_1922086.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5de/m-ward-11792_chords_i-ve-never-used-the-word-jamming-it-s-a_1922086.jpg) > “I've never used the word jamming. It's a matter of finding a great song and learning the chords, then slightly altering the vocal melody, and matching a classic chord progression with another chord progression.” [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage describes a creative process of adapting songs by learning chords, altering melody, and merging chord progressions. **In simple terms:** Making music by remixing and learning chords. Key Takeaway Experiment with chord blends. Themes creativity music learning Mood curious enthusiastic Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - jam sessions - music lessons - band rehearsals - home recording Key Concepts songwriting improvisation arrangement Questions to Reflect On - What new chord combos could you try? - How does altering melody change a song’s feel? A Different Perspective It assumes musical knowledge and may not suit beginners. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Melody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/melody/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Progression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progression/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) ## Related quotes > [I think I always thought of the guitar as the vehicle to be able to make some musical idea up. The only appeal to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-tweedy/i-think-i-always-thought-of-the-guitar-as-the-vehicle-to-be-able-to/) [Jeff Tweedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-tweedy/) > [I do remember actually learning chords to Beatles songs. I thought they were great songwriters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-taylor/i-do-remember-actually-learning-chords-to-beatles-songs-i-thought/) [Mick Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mick-taylor/) > [Using open strings is a great way to add texture and atmosphere to any chord progression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-petrucci/using-open-strings-is-a-great-way-to-add-texture-and-atmosphere-to/) [John Petrucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-petrucci/) > [I think there's something that feels so good about a 1-4-5 chord progression. It's a very standard chord progression, and it just feels good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-gibbard/i-think-there-s-something-that-feels-so-good-about-a-1-4-5-chord/) [Ben Gibbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-gibbard/) > [When I write a song, that process is sort of entwined with a lyric or a chord progression that suits the vibe, and that'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-zauner/when-i-write-a-song-that-process-is-sort-of-entwined-with-a-lyric-or/) [Michelle Zauner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-zauner/) > [I kept on buying records and listening to them. Finally, I was able to hear the relationship between the jazz improvisers' solos and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-pekar/i-kept-on-buying-records-and-listening-to-them-finally-i-was-able-to/) [Harvey Pekar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-pekar/) > [I'd have these weird experiences where I'd just be walking down the street with this chord progression in my head, this happened more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duncan-sheik/i-d-have-these-weird-experiences-where-i-d-just-be-walking-down-the/) [Duncan Sheik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duncan-sheik/) > [To be honest, I don't have a particular recipe, but I normally start with the chord progression and then I build it from there.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-misch/to-be-honest-i-don-t-have-a-particular-recipe-but-i-normally-start/) [Tom Misch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-misch/) > [The first thing that inspires any song is a chord progression. When I have one I really like, I get into the lyrics even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-first-thing-that-inspires-any-song-is-a-chord-progression-when-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If I don't already know a song's chord progression, I'll stop writing and try to figure it out. I can occasionally listen to unstructured,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-paul-wilson/if-i-don-t-already-know-a-song-s-chord-progression-i-ll-stop-writing/) [F. Paul Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-paul-wilson/) > [Playing inside the changes means playing enough of the important notes of the chord progression at important times. A good solo might be very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-israels/playing-inside-the-changes-means-playing-enough-of-the-important/) Chuck Israels > [It turns out kids today still learn that four-chord progression when they're just picking up the guitar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-scofield/it-turns-out-kids-today-still-learn-that-four-chord-progression-when/) [John Scofield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-scofield/) > [The melodies are always the most important part to me. I am pulled more to the groove than the chord progression. After you find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-matthews/the-melodies-are-always-the-most-important-part-to-me-i-am-pulled/) [Dave Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-matthews/) > [Chord progression is progression of emotions; storytelling - taking one person from one mood to the next. We are doing the same thing within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richie-hawtin/chord-progression-is-progression-of-emotions-storytelling-taking-one/) [Richie Hawtin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richie-hawtin/) > [If I'm making a chord progression on guitar, and I like it, but the next day when I play, and it doesn't make me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-g/if-i-m-making-a-chord-progression-on-guitar-and-i-like-it-but-the/) [Alex G](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-g/) ## More by M. Ward > [When I first started making music, it was learning other people's songs and putting them onto four-track. Like Beatles songs and stuff. When I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/when-i-first-started-making-music-it-was-learning-other-people-s/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [I don't really watch TV series because I don't want to get hooked on them and have them suck up all my time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/i-don-t-really-watch-tv-series-because-i-don-t-want-to-get-hooked-on/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [I'm somebody who doesn't feel the need to be in the driver's seat all the time. I appreciate the perspective of being in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/i-m-somebody-who-doesn-t-feel-the-need-to-be-in-the-driver-s-seat-all/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [I get most of my inspiration from older records and older production styles, and that ends up rearing its head in the records that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/i-get-most-of-my-inspiration-from-older-records-and-older-production/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [The best live recordings capture elements of surprise onstage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/the-best-live-recordings-capture-elements-of-surprise-onstage/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [It's no fun for me to cover a song and produce it the exact same way as it already exists. When I hear that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/it-s-no-fun-for-me-to-cover-a-song-and-produce-it-the-exact-same-way/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [Try to take your vision and ego as far away from the song as possible. Give as much respect as you can to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/try-to-take-your-vision-and-ego-as-far-away-from-the-song-as-possible/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [I love the sound of Elmore James, the sound early guitarists like him got just by using minimal means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/i-love-the-sound-of-elmore-james-the-sound-early-guitarists-like-him/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [Certain things you have to stumble on to. They can't be preprogrammed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/certain-things-you-have-to-stumble-on-to-they-can-t-be-preprogrammed/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [The way that I'm working now is basically the way I've been working since I was a kid: Find the greatest artist in whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/the-way-that-i-m-working-now-is-basically-the-way-i-ve-been-working/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [I don't like the way recording to digital sounds. Most of the time, when I'm recording to two-inch tape, I still have a romantic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/i-don-t-like-the-way-recording-to-digital-sounds-most-of-the-time/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [I got this Christmas gift with the entire Beatles catalog. I had fun trying to duplicate what I was hearing on these records, only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/i-got-this-christmas-gift-with-the-entire-beatles-catalog-i-had-fun/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [Every record turns into whatever the listener gets out of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/every-record-turns-into-whatever-the-listener-gets-out-of-it/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [It's a luxury to not have to just be performing with other people to have my music heard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/it-s-a-luxury-to-not-have-to-just-be-performing-with-other-people-to/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) > [I'm somebody who gets a lot of inspiration from dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-ward/i-m-somebody-who-gets-a-lot-of-inspiration-from-dreams/) [M. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) [Explore all 58 M. Ward quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-ward/) ## More Chords quotes > [The term "black metal" has become a lot looser, or can include a larger range of sounds and extra-musical aesthetics, not just Satan and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-marston/the-term-black-metal-has-become-a-lot-looser-or-can-include-a-larger/) [Colin Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-marston/) > [Every time I finish a song... most of the time it's in my own head, like this sounds too much like a Townes Van…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/every-time-i-finish-a-song-most-of-the-time-it-s-in-my-own-head-like/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [So I concentrated on the rhythmic side of things, and therefore left a lot of holes. I didn't want to use big pad chords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/midge-ure/so-i-concentrated-on-the-rhythmic-side-of-things-and-therefore-left-a/) [Midge Ure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/midge-ure/) > [Talk health. The dreary, never-changing tale Of mortal maladies is worn and stale. You cannot charm, or interest, or please By harping in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-wheeler-wilcox/talk-health-the-dreary-never-changing-tale-of-mortal-maladies-is-worn/) [Ella Wheeler Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-wheeler-wilcox/) > [There's four chords in every song. That's the fun part - trying to make that your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-rodrigo/there-s-four-chords-in-every-song-that-s-the-fun-part-trying-to-make/) [Olivia Rodrigo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-rodrigo/) > [Pete Townsend for me was a huge influence. Because essentially they were a three-piece band and the way he structured his chords and took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-lifeson/pete-townsend-for-me-was-a-huge-influence-because-essentially-they/) [Alex Lifeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-lifeson/) > [“Wild Horses" started in a B-minor chord, and Stu didn't play minor chords, "fucking Chinese music.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-richards/wild-horses-started-in-a-b-minor-chord-and-stu-didn-t-play-minor/) [Keith Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-richards/) > [I learned to play by ear before I learned music theory. For me, that makes sense. After all, children learn to speak before they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jools-holland/i-learned-to-play-by-ear-before-i-learned-music-theory-for-me-that/) [Jools Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jools-holland/) > [My course is about really working on a sheet of music. You work out the chords, which note complements the other, and how they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catriona-gray/my-course-is-about-really-working-on-a-sheet-of-music-you-work-out/) [Catriona Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catriona-gray/) > [I don't write poetry and then strum some chords and then fit the words on top of the chords.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-bird/i-don-t-write-poetry-and-then-strum-some-chords-and-then-fit-the/) [Andrew Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-bird/) > [I always think of each night as a song. Or each moment as a song. But now I'm seeing we don't live in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/i-always-think-of-each-night-as-a-song-or-each-moment-as-a-song-but/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [It's a double-headed coin, because technology is a convenience but it's stifled our attention spans. At one time, albums had songs that were like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cee-lo-green/it-s-a-double-headed-coin-because-technology-is-a-convenience-but-it/) [Cee Lo Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cee-lo-green/) > [I don't want to discredit people's opinions of me, but you talk about the violin or the cello or lead guitar where you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-raitt/i-don-t-want-to-discredit-people-s-opinions-of-me-but-you-talk-about/) [Bonnie Raitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-raitt/) > [There are no rules or certain methods. I usually start with the guitar or piano and sing melodies over the chords. The lyrics seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-reeves/there-are-no-rules-or-certain-methods-i-usually-start-with-the-guitar/) [Jason Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-reeves/) > [I like really sparse electronics, lush arrangements, and interesting chord structures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-klinghoffer/i-like-really-sparse-electronics-lush-arrangements-and-interesting/) [Josh Klinghoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-klinghoffer/) Browse all 544 Chords quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've never used the word jamming. It's a matter of finding a great song and learning the chords, then slightly altering the vocal melody, and matching a classic chord progression with another chord progression.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "M. 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