Hi Beast Of Farlington,
I have pretty much the same process for writing songs as you. Sometimes I come up with the chorus first and at other times the verse and sometimes both. If the particular song feels it needs it to complete it then I will think about writing a pre-chorus or/and a bridge. The problem is even though i usually have a melodic idea for the vocal melody for the verse for instance I am still stuck with where to take the pre-chorus and bridge. So this is why I would like to learn to write a similiar harmonic pre-chorus or/and bridge that sounds like or has a similar harmonic sound to the verse and chorus as this perfhaps would give me more of a clue in writing a melody for the pre-chorus leading up to the chorus itself.
Sometimes I listen to hit songs and the pre-chorus and bridge seems to fit the verse and chorus perfectly as if all these parts were meant to be together and thats what I am looking to learn to write as I can come up with the verses and choruses relatively easily. Its just completing the song with the addition of a good pre-chorus and bridge where required that I have trouble with.
I play a little piano by ear but i dont have a lot of musical theory knowledge though i am learning all about chord progressions as we speak. Hopefully this knowledge will increase my options when writing all parts of a song.
Does your chord progression: Dm/Dm7/Cm/Cm7/G/Dm/Dm7/Cm/Cm7/D start with the triad Dm followed by Dm7 ie the triad followed by the seventh chord of Dm? Is this type of chord progression common as I have never seen it before.
I suppose as long as it sounds good and fits in with the song you have written thats the key right?
Anyway thanks for your insightful and informative response. I am quickly learning that the more knowledge I have about how songs are put together the easier it will be to complete my songs to my complete satisfaction.
Many thanks again for all your help.