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.
Songwriting
A collection of articles from the Disc Makers blog that relate to songwriting, including tips on the craft of songwriting as well as publishing and licensing advice.
How cue sheets help you get paid for TV and film placements
A cue sheet is a written synopsis of the music used in a production and is one way to ensure all the stakeholders in a song are compensated adequately. 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.
Copyright termination: McCartney, Duran Duran, and the YMCA.
Copyright termination is giving music artists the opportunity to reclaim the rights to their songs. The stories of Duran Duran, Paul McCartney and The Village People’s Victor Willis tell the tale. Read More.
Are you bimusical? You should be.
As a musician, it’s important to listen to music genres outside of your own. The term “bimusical” has been coined to express a degree of fluency in different styles of music, and there are compelling reasons to aspire to being bi. 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 the post.
Should you buy or lease that hip hop beat?
If you have contacts you can shop a song to, buying exclusive rights to a hip hop beat might be a good idea. If you are just looking to get noticed, you should consider leasing that beat. Read More.
“The Sound of Silence” – How Disturbed’s cover version hits all the right notes
Disturbed’s cover version of Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” is exemplary in many ways – from its intention to pay homage to its power to stand on its own. Read More.
The Funk Brothers and their Motown legacy
We remember The Funk Brothers — the astounding musicians who made the Motown record label what it was: a hit-making machine and the highest-earning African-American-run US business for many years. Read the post.
George Harrison’s songwriting brilliance
From his earliest work to his successful career as a solo artist and collaborator, the simplicity of George Harrison’s songwriting belies the brilliance of one of popular music’s great artists. Read More.
Three Approaches to Recording and Performing Cover Songs
Playing cover songs can boost your visibility, warm up a crowd, or be a way to earn a living. Whatever the end goal, there is more than one way to approach playing someone else’s well-known – or little known – song. Read More.
Performing Rights Organizations – a History and Overview
Performing Rights Organizations aggregate the performing rights of writers and publishers and then negotiate licenses with all the users of music, collect the income from those licenses, and distribute that income. Read More.
The people who make music, Part I: Musicians, songwriters, and engineers
I divide the creative entities who make the music up into five categories: musicians, songwriters, engineers, artists, and producers. In this post we’ll look at the first three. Part II will explore the artists and producers. Read More.
A great solo can elevate your song
Whether it’s a virtuosic guitar, a transcendent piano, or a funky breakdown on bass, a great solo can add power and personality to songs in any genre. Read more.
How to find the next chord in the progression when writing a song
For those times when you’re writing a song and can’t find the right chord to complete a progression, this technique will help you discover your best options and help you complete your song. Read the post.