Over the last year or so I have really enjoyed playing around with bigger extended chords used commonly in jazz music. I still haven't quite taken to 13ths but I am really enjoying playing around with 9ths and 11ths at the moment. I enjoy seeing what colour I can paint with this extended canvas. Sometimes I like to use them as a block chord but often I prefer to arpeggiate these chords to see what melting pot I can create. These often start as happy accidents which is exactly how “Unashamedly” came about. The C major sharpened 11th chord was my starting point but purely by accidentally blending a C and a E sus2 chord.
I quickly put together a 4 chord rolling pattern which used a traditional chord progression filled with extensions. This gave the music a pop/jazz feel and the latin and pop rhythms evolved into the middle section of the music. I then set about creating an opening introduction which was then later evolved into a more intense chorus section.
I also added in a time signature change at the end of the introduction which glides through different chords into the middle part.
This gets its name as at the time I was really debating switching to playing felt piano pieces as they would almost always do better. However, this was the complete opposite. I vibrant, upbeat and dynamic piece filled with colour and which was unashamedly in your face. This piece helped me get over my crisis of conscience and helped me to decide to stick with what I was happy playing and creating.
I will create calm and thoughtful music but for my own sanity I need to hit the keys once in a while and let loose. I want to make music for me first and foremost as if I'm not pleasing myself then what it the point really. I want this hobby of mine to be an enjoyable experience so I will be creating music however it comes to me.
This is always a favourite to play still!