In Praise of Counterpoint_The Grumpy Old Man Blog

Throughout the years, I have seen many posts and debates on what is still considered “musical” in today’s world of one chord songs and two note melodies.

You get the usual stuff—Ah, that’s what the geezers have always said. They said it in the 50s, etc., etc.

The other day I found a Guitar Pro file for what I think is the greatest TV theme song all time, the theme to the Rockford Files. Remember that? smile

Well, simultaneously I have been studying a lot of Bach and trying to memorize Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring. The counterpoint in that song amazes me. Chords that keep repeating with slight variations in the harmony/counterpoint. It gives me goosebumps. Paul McCartney uses a lot of Bach tricks in Blackbird, which he says he based on the Bouree in E Minor.

Anyway, I was studying the Rockford files song score, and I went “Dang, they are using a lot of Bach tricks as well!!”

Very similar chord movement as you would find in Jesu.

So that’s why it’s catchy! Like Blackbird. Ear candy.

Then it struck me: so that is why I find so many (if not most) of pop song BORING. It is because there is no COUNTERPOINT. And for me, no counterpoint essentially means NO MUSIC.

You can argue about the merits of loops and one chord songs all day, but it will not change me. If I do not hear counterpoint, I usually think it sucks. Because I am a grumpy old man.
And that is my Grumpy Old Man blog for the day!!!

Am I alone???

What say you songwriters???

This should take you back. An ancient relic, yes, but still the catchiest jingle ever, IMHO. I think it is cool the guitarist Dan Ferguson thanked the viewers here.







David Snyder
Songwriter/Renaissance Man
Studio + Fingers

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