Chapter 31: How to Write an Exotic Song

You have truly mastered the fundamentals. Now, we get to the really fun part!

These Bossa Nova chords we've been learning—the Major 9ths, Minor 11ths, and Suspended chords—are more than just "cooler" sounding chords. They are amazing tools for creating musical textures and emotions that you just can't get with the standard toolkit.

This is how you can really start to develop a sound that is uniquely yours and express yourself in a new way. We'll draw some inspiration from that timeless, breezy sound of songs like "The Girl from Ipanema" and use a really great blueprint.

The Songwriting System

This is the 5-step blueprint we'll use to build each section of our song. We'll use this exact process to craft the verse, chorus, and solo.

1. Capture the Idea: Write down lyrics or hum a melody. This is the raw material for your song.
2. Establish the Rhythm: Record your idea while tapping out the rhythm on a single MIDI note. This translates your idea into a musical grid.
3. Clean Up Your Rhythm: Quantize the MIDI to lock your rhythm into a tight, professional-sounding performance.
4. Select the Notes: Convert your MIDI rhythm into either a chord progression or a melodic solo.
5. Generate & Master the Tab: Export the MIDI to TuxGuitar to create a professional tab, then practice it until it feels natural.

Part 1: The Verse (Let's Build It Together)

For this first part, let's learn to apply both Bossa Nova chords and a classic Bossa Nova rhythm. I'll provide the lyrics and the chord progression.

Step 1: Capture the Idea (Lyrics)

Here are the lyrics for our song, "West Coast Haze."

• Bar 1: "Woke up in the afternoon"
• Bar 2: "Sky was pale and silver-blue"
• Bar 3: "Heard a saxophone in another room"
• Bar 4: "Felt like I was born brand new"

Step 2: Establish the Rhythm (The Bossa Nova Pulse)

The Bossa Nova rhythm is built on a steady bass note pattern played by the thumb, with syncopated chords plucked by the fingers. For our system, we will focus on capturing the rhythm of the chords.

• The Rhythm: We will play chords on the "and" of beat 2 and on beat 4. (1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &)
• Open your music software. On a MIDI track, tap out this syncopated chord rhythm on a single key for all four bars.

Step 3: Clean Up Your Rhythm

• Quantize your MIDI track to the nearest 8th note. This will lock in that relaxed, syncopated Bossa Nova feel.

Step 4: Select the Notes (Chord Progression)

• We will now assign our exotic chords to the rhythm. For the verse, we'll use a simple but beautiful Imaj9 - IVmaj9 progression.
  • Set the notes in Bars 1 & 2 to a Cmaj9 chord.
  • Set the notes in Bars 3 & 4 to an Fmaj9 chord.

Step 5: Generate & Master the Tab

• Export the MIDI file and import it into TuxGuitar. When you practice, add a steady bass note with your thumb on beats 1 and 3 to complete the full Bossa Nova pattern.

Part 2: The Chorus (The Hook)

Now, create your own chorus using the same exotic tools.

Step 1: Capture the Idea (Lyrics)

• Write four lines for your chorus that capture the song's hazy, relaxed vibe.

Step 2: Establish the Rhythm

• On a MIDI track, tap out the same Bossa Nova chord rhythm we used in the verse (& of 2, 4).

Step 3: Clean Up Your Rhythm

• Quantize the MIDI track.

Step 4: Select the Notes (Chord Progression)

• Create your own progression using the Bossa Nova chords you've learned. For a classic, sophisticated sound, try the iim9 - V9 - Imaj9 progression: Dm9 | G9 | Cmaj9 | Cmaj9.

Step 5: Generate & Master the Tab

• Export the MIDI to TuxGuitar and practice your original chorus.

Part 3: The Solo (The Hybrid Solo)

For an expert-level solo, we will again blend the precision of chord tones with the fluidity of the pentatonic scale. This time, we will focus on highlighting the "color notes" (the 9ths, 6ths, #11s) that give these chords their unique sound.

Step 1: Capture the Idea (The Chords)

• The "idea" for this solo is our verse chord progression: Cmaj9 | Cmaj9 | Fmaj9 | Fmaj9.

Step 2: Establish the Rhythm

• On a MIDI track, tap out a simple, memorable rhythm for your solo. Think lazy and melodic.

Step 3: Clean Up Your Rhythm

• Quantize your MIDI track.

Step 4: Select the Notes (Color Tones + Pentatonics)

• Part A - The Foundation: Build your solo by targeting the chord tones, especially the "color notes."
  • Over the Cmaj9 bars, your main target note is D (the 9th).
  • Over the Fmaj9 bars, your main target note is G (the 9th).
• Part B - The Pro Move: Use notes from the C Major Pentatonic scale (C, D, E, G, A) as the smooth pathway to travel between your main target "color notes."

Step 5: Generate & Master the Tab

• Export your solo's MIDI file to TuxGuitar. You've created a solo that speaks the sophisticated language of the harmony. Now, master it.

Part 4: Assemble Your Song

You have all the exotic components. Let's assemble them into a classic song structure.

The Song Structure:

1. Verse 1
2. Chorus
3. Verse 2
4. Chorus
5. Solo
6. Chorus

A Few Friendly Tips

Let's look at a couple of common things that might come up.

• Problem: "My Bossa Nova rhythm sounds a little stiff or robotic."
  • Fix: That's a super common feeling! This rhythm is all about a relaxed, laid-back feel. If it sounds stiff, it often just means slowing down and focusing on the space between the notes. Think of it as a pulse, not a march. You'll feel it!
• Problem: "My solo notes sound correct, but they don't sound exotic."
  • Fix: This has a simple solution! It just means we need to emphasize the "color notes" more. Try to really land on the 9th of each chord and let that note ring out. Use the pentatonic scale only as a bridge to get to these beautiful target notes.

Conclusion

You've really moved beyond standard songwriting. You're now working as a true harmonic innovator.

You have a great system for creating music with unique and sophisticated emotions. You know how to build exotic feelings with Bossa Nova chords and craft intelligent melodies by targeting the specific "color notes" that define them. You have the tools to create a sound that is truly your own.

Next up, you'll learn to create your own chords with Chord Variations. By intelligently adding notes to any chord you already know, you'll learn how to instantly find thousands of new, unique chord possibilities on the fly. It's time to go from mastering systems to creating your own!