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Author: Scott McCormick

Acoustic guitarist playing a pedal point

The pedal point: A quick study

February 3, 2022February 4, 2022 Scott McCormick

A pedal point can make a standard progression more interesting or ground a complex progression in something familiar. Read the post.

two chords

Can you write a song with just two chords?

November 8, 2021February 3, 2022 Scott McCormick

These songs from decades past show us that you can do a lot with just a little. Let’s explore the magic of the bVII-I progression and how two chords can make a song. Read the post

alternate guitar tuning

Alternate guitar tuning can inspire your songwriting

October 4, 2021October 5, 2021 Scott McCormick

Let’s explore some common — and some of the more obscure — alternate guitar tunings to inspire you to write your next musical masterpiece. Read the post

suspended chords

Using suspended chords in your songs

September 10, 2021April 3, 2023 Scott McCormick

Suspended chords work as substitution chords, can smooth out chord progressions, and add tension to your music. Here are some great examples of how to use suspended chords in your songs. Read the post

eleventh chord

Eleventh and thirteenth chords: How to play them on guitar

August 27, 2021August 27, 2021 Scott McCormick

For some extended guitar chords — like a fully voiced thirteenth — there are more notes in the chord than there are strings. That’s where slash chords come in … with a little help from your bassist. Read the post

Nashville tuning

How Nashville tuning can transform your arrangements

July 30, 2021April 5, 2022 Scott McCormick

While Nashville tuning uses the same notes as a standard guitar tuning, used by itself and in layers with other guitars, this tuning can bring an articulate presence to a recording. Read the post.

eleventh chord

Liven things up with eleventh chords

March 9, 2021July 19, 2022 Scott McCormick

Eleventh chords can provide lush texture to your songs, but they can be confusing. We’ve got charts and real-world examples to help you better understand these extended chords. Read the post.

flat-six chord

Add drama with a flat-six chord

February 9, 2021February 23, 2021 Scott McCormick

The flat-six chord can add drama to your music, and with some exceptions, is best used sparingly in your songwriting. Read the post.

sixth chords

Sixth chords add moody complexity to your music

January 19, 2021July 26, 2021 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 the post.

ninth chords

Ninth chords add ambiance to your compositions

December 22, 2020March 9, 2021 Scott McCormick

There are many kinds of ninth chords, and they can be used in different ways. This post explores different kinds of ninth chords and how you can use them, with plenty of examples of their use in popular music. Read the post.

substitution chords

Use substitution chords to spice up your songs

December 3, 2020December 3, 2020 Scott McCormick

Jazz musicians know and integrate substitution chords on a regular basis, but musicians who play other genres of music can also employ this concept to great effect. Read the post.

mixolydian

Get bluesy with Mixolydian and the Mixo-Dorian Blues

February 25, 2020February 25, 2020 Scott McCormick

Study up on the Mixolydian Mode, queue up a nice Mixo chord progression, and you’ll see why guitar masters like Eddie Van Halen, Angus Young, and Duane Allman all love Mixo-Dorian Blues. Read the post.

sequence an album

How to sequence an album for best results

January 9, 2020October 28, 2022 Scott McCormick

Perfecting your song order when you sequence an album can mean the difference between a great artistic statement and a nice mixtape. Read the post.

Taylor Swift master rights

What can you learn from Taylor Swift’s master rights predicament?

December 11, 2019September 29, 2020 Scott McCormick

Taylor Swift’s latest industry tussle raises lots of questions for music artists. Who’s right, who’s wrong, and most importantly, what can you learn so you can avoid having to fight for your master rights? Read the post.

Neapolitan chord

Use the zesty Neapolitan chord in your songs

October 22, 2019March 24, 2020 Scott McCormick

A touch of exoticism could be all you need to lift your song up from the mundane. The flat-second, a.k.a. Neapolitan chord, can be just the ticket. Read the post.

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