3 songs that break music theory rules – and are better for it
Sometimes going against common music theory rules ends up being exactly what a song needs. Read More.
writing songs
Microtones: the notes between the notes
Join us for a journey – with lots of videos – and travel in between the notes to the beautiful, mind-bending world of microtones. Read More.
Ninth chords add space, dissonance, and ambiance to your arrangements
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.
Use mind mapping to unlock your musical creativity
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.
Spice up your musical arrangements with substitution chords
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.
Music theory can help you write a great chorus
There’s no “formula” to write a great chorus or hook, but these techniques can spark ideas to write, rework, or critique your own songs. Read More.
How to improve your live sound with music theory
Music theory is a set of tools you can lean on to help you write and compose, and being deliberate in how you arrange your parts can translate to a better sound on stage. Read More.
Remote collaboration: Nine tips for sharing music tracks
When sharing music tracks, having a plan for how to prepare your material for easy remote collaboration can save significant time and help avoid headaches. Read More.
Hit songwriting elements that make a song great
While this advice is focused on songwriters looking to land a song on a major label artist’s album, knowing some of the elements that go into hit songwriting can help you excel, whatever your musical ambition. Read More.
Every song has a story
You can find inspiration from anywhere – every song has a story, even if the song has nothing to do with the source of its inspiration. Read More.
Songwriting on a schedule: A tight timeline can give you great ideas
Limiting your songwriting time may seem counter-intuitive, but it can help fuel your creativity in interesting and unexpected ways. Read more.
How to find the next chord in the progression when writing a song
How many times have you been writing a chord progression, when you suddenly hit that wall? For those times when you’re writing a song and can’t find the right chord to complete a progression, this technique – using applied music theory – will help you discover your best options and help you complete your song. Read more.
Music theory and “The Hills,” by The Weeknd
Knowing a little music theory can help you dissect your favorite songs and better understand how to write songs of your own. We break down “The Hills” by The Weeknd in this post. We’re going to start by transcribing the chorus melody, figuring out the key, and then using the key to find the chords. Read more.
Five lyric pitfalls to avoid when writing Country songs – or ANY songs!
One of the most important jobs I have as a teacher is to identify and share the common elements I observe in successful songs while steering students clear from the pitfalls in songs that fall short. If you want to learn how to write a country song, here are some of the biggest lyric pitfalls to avoid. Read more.
Collaborating with another musician can boost your exposure
Collaborating with another musician can produce great creative results. At the very least, working with someone new can take you out of your comfort zone, introduce you to new songwriting practices and ideas, and force you to up your game. For independent musicians, it can also be a boost of exposure. Read more.