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songwriter

being creative

You need to work at being creative (creativity is NOT a talent)

March 27, 2018April 4, 2018 Johnny Dwinell

Being creative is not an innate ability that you either have or you don’t. Creativity is not, in and of itself, a talent. Creativity is not related to IQ. Creativity is a way of operating. Read More.

writing lyrics

Writing lyrics with depth

March 19, 2018March 19, 2018 Chris Huff

If you are interested in writing lyrics with depth, you need a deep artistic well to draw from. All output requires input, and as a lyricist, I recommend you begin with words. Read More.

flat-six chord

Supercharge your music with the flat-six chord

March 13, 2018April 2, 2018 Scott McCormick

Borrowed chords (chords “borrowed” from a key’s parallel minor) are commonly used in music influenced by the blues, including rock, jazz, R&B, even country and folk. Today we’ll focus on the flat-six chord. Read More.

Sixth Chords

Sixth chords can add subtle complexity to your songs

February 19, 2018February 19, 2018 Scott McCormick

Sixth chords have an inherent lack of identity and purpose that can be riveting — a sixth chord can provide ambiguity, set curiously dark moods, and add a layer of complexity to your music. Read More.

good vibrations and smile

“Good Vibrations” and Smile: A complex album built on a song

January 22, 2018January 22, 2018 Scott McCormick

Not only does “Good Vibrations” provide a structural template for Smile, it also gives the album its tonal language. Nearly every song or song section is written in one of “Good Vibrations” chords. Read More.

three guitarists

Three guitarists you may have overlooked (and why you should check them out)

January 3, 2018January 4, 2018 Chris Huff

There’s nothing wrong with big, noisy rock, but here’s a perspective from three guitarists who use their instruments to create a vibe rather than flex their muscular musical chops every chance they get. Read More.

write a great melody

How to write a great melody, Part 2: Putting the rules to work

December 18, 2017December 18, 2017 Scott McCormick

To write a great melody, throw in a dramatic flourish to enhance a moment, but sing the way people speak: It sounds better and makes a melody more memorable. Read More.

how to write a great melody

How to write a great melody, Part 1: What makes a melody great?

December 12, 2017December 12, 2017 Scott McCormick

While I can’t give you an exact recipe for how to write a great melody, I can point out some common traits great melodies have to help improve your melodic skills. Read More.

Bob Dylan

Why Bob Dylan is important to songwriters

December 6, 2017December 6, 2017 Chris Huff

Love him or hate him, there’s a lot about Dylan’s career arc that is important and inspirational for songwriters, from his transforming song form to the fact that he’s kept writing almost non-stop for six decades. Read More.

song structures of Roy Orbison and Kendrick Lamar

Subverting song structures: Roy Orbison and Kendrick Lamar

November 27, 2017March 2, 2018 Scott McCormick

Taking liberties with traditional song structures can be a great way to stand apart from your peers, keep listeners on edge, add a sense of drama, and make even a short song seem like an epic. Read More.

Brian Wilson songwriting

Brian Wilson’s songwriting tricks and techniques

October 18, 2017January 22, 2018 Scott McCormick

We look at recurring songwriting and chord techniques Brian Wilson used to create some of the most beloved and enduring songs in 20th century popular music. Read More.

ninth chords

Ninth chords add space, dissonance, and ambiance to your arrangements

July 5, 2017July 5, 2017 Scott McCormick

There are many diverse kinds of ninth chords, and they are used in different ways. In this post, we’ll explore different kinds of ninth chords, how to use them, and provide examples of their use in popular music. Read More.

mind mapping and music

Use mind mapping to unlock your musical creativity

June 27, 2017September 18, 2017 Matt Davidson

One process that may be useful for musicians is mind mapping, a visual tool that requires you to generate, organize, and explore new ideas based on a central theme or concept. Read More.

writing exercises

Using writing exercises to craft lyrics

May 24, 2017May 24, 2017 Bob Barrick

Nobody is born a poet. Creative writing workshops are filled with aspiring Dickinsons and Whitmans suffering through the same mental block that musicians experience. These writing exercises can help you do something about it. Read More.

substitution chords

Spice up your musical arrangements with substitution chords

May 22, 2017August 14, 2017 Scott McCormick

Jazz musicians know and integrate substitution chords (also known as chord substitution or reharmonization) on a regular basis, but musicians who play other genres of music can also employ this concept to great effect. Read More.

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