(Log in to disable ads.)

Paul Bothner Music is once again sponsoring this month's competition, and they are offering 3 sets of RotoSound strings for the winners of each category.

Paul Bothner also have recording facilities at most of their stores should you require assistance in recording your entry. Contact your closest store to book or for more info.

The challenge will be broken into 2 Categories.
Category 1 - "Beginner - Intermediate"
Category 2 - "Advanced - Professional"

The Theme
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Axis of Awesome Four Chord Challenge

Link :

Any genre, any key - let's hear your four chord special.

In the clip they make an example of pop songs that typically use the first major, the fourth major, the fith major and sixth minor chords in a given key.

For example, in the key of C: C major (I), F major (IV), G major (V), A minor (vi) = I, IV, V, vi chord progression.

There aren't a lot of ways you can arrange these four chords & that's were the challenge lies - show us your creativity using this 'limitation' E.g In the key of C - IV I V I (F major, C major, G major, C major) ends on a the familiar/happy I (C major) or IV I V vi (F Major, C Major, G Major, A minor) ends on the 'sadder' minor.

Note : In Axis of Awesome they do mix it up a bit to make it work...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EMAIL me a link to your song AND an mp3 version of your song to rogowski.adrian@gmail.com before 09h00 the 26 May (Monday)
    Nice... now is it all three themes combined? or we just pick one or two and go for it?

    Regarding the four chord one... wasn't that primarily for the verse or chorus and not the whole song? Or do you typically want four chords throughout?
      What's the rationale behind there being 3 themes?

      Maybe it's just me, but I would prefer a single theme.
        doc-phil wrote: Maybe it's just me, but I would prefer a single theme.
        I do agree. I think having the single and sometimes very constraining theme every month led to some creative, out of the box solutions ?
          I'm trying to harness more entrants - so if people can choose a topic, its less likely they can complain that "they didn't have any ideas" - but if you all feel strongly about this, i don't mind just making it one theme
            One theme

            How do you judge the difference between a 4 chord entry and Alien Rock and Roll entry. Too far removed. You would have to have 3 different winners
              Alan Ratcliffe wrote: One theme. My vote's for the first one.
              +1 ! Even without a noob beginner cat I want to give this one ago


              Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
                3 themes is fine, just label the theme you choose and run with it. The great thing is actually having more entrants isn't it? Hat's off to Adrian.
                  Just make an alien rock n roll song with 4 chords and a blistering solo...
                    studmissile wrote: 3 themes is fine, just label the theme you choose and run with it. The great thing is actually having more entrants isn't it? Hat's off to Adrian.
                    I can think of many other ways to get more entrants - like doing away with a theme altogether. But that wouldn't make sense to me, just like this multiple theme doesn't make sense. I don't know how I'm supposed to cast a vote in which I compare two songs that were written to different rules.

                    The great thing about the themes is that it levels the playing ground a bit. Some guys here are very accomplished guitarists with a whole bunch of recording experience. If it were simply down to the quality of the recording, they would dominate the challenges. When there is a theme, I base my vote to a large extent on how well the brief was met and that is one aspect where the less experienced guitarists have an opportunity to shine.

                    I agree with you though, hats off to Adrian. But I don't like this multiple theme approach.
                      I've heard your pleas, you've casted your ballots, and one theme is back in power :?
                        Only 4 chords in any key?

                        Cant add a 7th or sus?

                        Cheers!
                          Norman86 wrote: Only 4 chords in any key?

                          Cant add a 7th or sus?

                          Cheers!
                          A 7th is still a chord as is a sus...
                            Only reason i ask is i know you can substitute a 7th or sus for the chord, but if i do, then it isnt a 4 chord song anymore yeah?!

                            edit: Dont wanna be disqualified before i start! ?
                            And here is something i can enter for a change ?
                              Substitutions are fine IMO. In other words the D, Dsus4, Dadd9 and the like (AKA: finger wiggly variation things) all count as D.
                                Thanks ?
                                Will hash something out before the deadline ?