Music Theory

[dough_mouse]

Hi, I've started trying to compose, but I feel like a lot of my music sounds bland because of how simple the chord structure is. My music theory knowledge is very sparse since I basically only know I, IV, V, I and the like. So my question is, what kind of chords/harmonies can I make that are more interesting sounding? Also, for minor keys, what kind of chords/harmonies/progressions are powerful and moving? I know this is an open ended question but any replies would help.

[clicquot]

Hi, maybe a bit off topic but, should a piece really be 'complex' anyway to sound ok or nice? I don't think so. I've seen that many of the pro's here don't like Nyman for example (you know The Piano soundtrack)... well I love these tracks, one of them made me decide to start learning about our wonderful instrument... although, my dream is to play some Rach/Chopin (hence, i'd probably never manage..we'll see  ).
If you compose, just compose... when you study and learn pieces, your composition will evolve in anohter way too... maybe there is some theory about this, certainly you need basic things... on the other hand, did mozart had some theorybooks etc... I doubt... just want to say, compose and play...and let us hear the result...or better, improvise, play and try to write it down?? i'm interested already :-)

[m19834]

So my question is, what kind of chords/harmonies can I make that are more interesting sounding?

For now, keep your simple chord structure, but experiment with non-chord tones in both the melody and harmony.  Try just adding a neighbor or passing tone (one note up or down from a chord tone) in an arpeggiated pattern in the LH, for example.  It is surprising the richness a single non-chord-tone can add to something like a simple arpeggio.  

[b0mbtrack]

I found making the melody first helps.  To find out what chords to use over the melody I will take a note from the melody and build the chord around it.  I will first try to make the chord a very simple chord (If my note is E I will first try to make an E, A, or C chord) and if none of those chords fit with the progression I will alter them to something I like, usually leaving the melody note alone.  You could end up with a strange chord that sounds good or you could end up with the simple I-IV-V progression which is fine.