Need help getting bridges

[swishmasta]

Hi guys,

I am new here and i gota say, this place is a great resource! Anyway, I wanted to know what the common chords were for entering into, and exiting a bridge...

any ideas?

[BroAllan]

Hi guys,

I am new here and i gota say, this place is a great resource! Anyway, I wanted to know what the common chords were for entering into, and exiting a bridge...

any ideas?

Welcome swishmasta!

To answer your question, I'd say it all depends on the song ... however, from my experience a pivot chord is used.  One that has one or more notes in it from the key you are playing in and also from the key you are making the transition to.  For example, in the key of "C", the bridge may include using the "Bb" (flatted 7th) chord because the notes that make up the chord, "Bb,D, and F" are also notes that are in the "C" scale and yet it can lead you into a whole new key,  ("F", "Eb" are a couple of them).

A "flatted 6th" or "flatted 7th" chord is one popular way of entering into a bridge.  From there, many options open up for key changes.  The same concept is used to transition back to the chorus or verse of the song. 

Basically, the transition into and out of a bridge; and transitions in modulations have a lot in common.   

             God bless you,  BroAllan   (I'll try and give you a few examples later on ...)

[swishmasta]

Hello brother allan,

I didnt expect a reply so quick!!! but thanks for that very valuable information. I will give it a go. Looking forward to the examples :-)

[BroAllan]

Hello brother allan,

I didnt expect a reply so quick!!! but thanks for that very valuable information. I will give it a go. Looking forward to the examples :-)

Here is the bridge to the song, “I will never be the same” by Hillsongs from Australia.  The song is in the key of “D” but to enter the bridge, chords such as “Bb” (flatted 6th)and “Cmaj” (flatted 7th),  are used.

In this example, the “G” chord is used as the link between the “C” chord and the key of “D”.

D/ D-F#-A    I will never
G/ G-B-D     Be the
A/ A-C#-E    Same a-
D/ D-F#-A    gain
G/ G-B-D     I will never re-
A/ A-C#-E    turn, I’ll
G/ G-B-D     Close
A/ A-C#-E    The
D/ D-F#-A    Door ...
D/ D-F#-A    I’ll walk the
G/ G-B-D     Path
A/ A-C#-E    I’ll run the
D/ D-F#-A    Race and
G/ G-B-D     I will
A/ A-C#-E    Never, be the
G/ G-B-D     Same
A/ A-C#-E    A-
D/ D-F#-A    gain

C/ C-E-G     Fall like       (flatted 7th used here to enter bridge)
G/ G-B-D     Fire            (link or pivot chord)
A/ A-C#-E    Soak like
D/ D-F#-A    Rain ...
C/ C-E-G     Flow like mighty   (flatted 7th)
G/ G-B-D     Waters         (link or pivot chord)
A/ A-C#-E    Again and
D/ D-F#-A    Again ...
Bb/ Bb-D-F  Sweep away the   (flatted 6th moving to the
Bb/ C-E-G    Darkness               flatted 7th chord)
A/ C-G-E      Burn away the
D/ D-F#-A    Dross and ...
G/ G-B-D     Let a flame
D/ D-F#-A    Burn to
E/ G-B-D-G  Glorify Your
A/ A-C# E    Name ...

D/ D-F#-A    There are higher
G/ G-B-D     Heights, there are
A/ A-C#-E    Deeper
D/ D-F#-A    Seas, what-
G/ G-B-D     ever You need to
A/ A-C#-E    Do, Lord
G/ G-B-D     Do
A/ A-C#-E    In
D/ D-F#-A    Me ...
D/ D-F#-A    The glory of
G/ G-B-D     God
A/ A-C#-E    Fills my
D/ D-F#-A    Life and
G/ G-B-D     I will
A/ A-C#-E    Never, be the
G/ G-B-D     Same
A/ A-C#-E    A-
D/ D-F#-A    gain

I hope this example helps you.  I'll try and post other examples later.  The thing to keep in mind is finding a link or pivot chord that can move you in and out of the bridge.  God bless you,  BroAllan