Q: I was trying to write a song and I noticed that if I stop after three chords and try and repeat, it doesn't sound complete. It only sounds complete if I repeat one of the three chords or add a new chord. Do you know why this is? For example, if I play C for four beats, then F for four beats, and then G for four beats, it doesn't sound complete until I play G for four more beats. Is there a way to write a song with three chords where each chord is only played for four beats and then the chord regression repeats?
A: the default 'normal' sound, for time, tends to run in powers of 2. so lengths of 2, 4, 8, 16, are all normal sounding lengths. But that is without considering anything else. melody. lyric. context. if you put an interesting spin on things, using those devices (melody/lyric), you can get away with almost anything