How to come up with an ending

[ROBERT B]

Love learning Brian’s compositions. Most don’t seem to ‘end’, they just fade or repeat. I’d like to create endings for the songs I learn. Any tips on how to think that through and come up with a good way for the tune to end?

[Tremelow]

Hi Robert, turnarounds are often used to end a song. Just type in “turnaround” in the search lessons-function (including MLs) and you should find something useful.

[Michael L]

Remember, too, that the 5 chord to the 1 chord, or 1 – 5 – 1, offers strong resolution. Look for places at the end of phrases where the chords move like that, and see if you can find a good lick that can wrap up the tune.

[sunjamr]

I guess most songs end on the root chord, but Neil Young was famous for sometimes ending his songs on some unexpected chord. So really there aren’t any rules. If it sounds good or interesting, just do it.

Google AI says this:
Neil Young is known for his unconventional chord progressions and musical choices, and here are a few songs that don’t end on the 1 chord (the tonic chord): “Down by the River,” “Helpless,” “Cinnamon Girl,” and “Cowgirl in the Sand”.

Sunjamr Steve

[Mark H]

I propose we ban AI-anything from this forum. Before it’s too late. F*** AI

[sunjamr]

Over 90% of the time when I ask Google a question, the answer comes back as an AI response. It’s no big deal, just kind of an organized way to present the answer. And often it will do a deep dive into some additional background information. So far I’m really enjoying the way it works on Google. I get an in-depth response, complete with sources which I can check for further info. AI doesn’t have consciousness, and never will. It’s just software, and like it or not, we have to live with it.

Sunjamr Steve

[John C]

I’ve been very interested in the topic of song endings and collect examples

Here are some Active melody ones

EP390 using double stop thirds
EP531 riff ending in an E6 chord
EP431 ending in T-Bone Walker 9th chords
EP385 riff ending in a 6 chord
ML025 Freddy King 9th chord walk up finish

[Bill]

Often a Blues will end on the dominant one chord, a I7…and then you can tag a little pentatonic run on it.

[Author]

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