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cover songs

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.

instrumental covers

Turning popular songs into instrumental covers

May 12, 2021May 12, 2021 Michael Gallant

Interpreting pop songs as instrumental covers can be a challenge. Here are tips to take your musical transformations in exciting directions. Read the post.

eleventh chord

Liven things up with eleventh chords

March 9, 2021March 9, 2021 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.

solo performance

Re-arranging big songs for solo performance

November 20, 2019December 16, 2021 Michael Gallant

Whether you’re dancing on piano keys or dreaming on acoustic guitar, reimagining your favorite songs for solo performance with just you, your voice, and a single instrument can be as fun as it is challenging. Read the post.

Close to You

Fifth time’s the charm: The Carpenter’s smash hit, “Close to You”

September 4, 2019July 28, 2020 Scott McCormick

Before and after the Carpenters scored a massive hit with “(They Long To Be) Close To You,” others tried, but they all seemed to miss what Richard Carpenter figured out: When you have a great melody, great lyrics, and a great singer — less is more. Read the post.

through the grapevine

Cover to cover: “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”

August 6, 2019August 6, 2019 Scott McCormick

Not only does “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” hold the distinction of the being the first and last number one R&B song in 1968, it is the only song to have been a number one R&B hit for three artists. Read the post.

multiple listens

What multiple listens can reveal about a song

July 25, 2019July 25, 2019 Michael Gallant

When learning a song or diving into ideas for music production, multiple listens to an inspiring track can help you discover arrangement and recording tricks that you can apply to your own music. Read the post.

smash hit Southern Cross CSN

How Stephen Stills turned an unreleased leftover into the smash hit “Southern Cross”

July 9, 2019March 17, 2020 Scott McCormick

This is the second in a series that examines cover songs that went on to be huge hits, even though the original versions were mostly unknown. This post covers Crosby, Stills & Nash’s “Southern Cross.” Read the post.

hit song tainted love

Unlocking a hit song — Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love”

June 27, 2019August 10, 2020 Scott McCormick

How did a forgotten 1965 B-side become a 1981 smash? “Tainted Love” had hidden elements that Soft Cell unlocked to turn it into an enduring (and often covered) hit song. Read the post.

mystery chords

Mystery chords in “A Hard Day’s Night” and “London Calling”

March 15, 2019March 30, 2020 Scott McCormick

Ever sit down to learn a song and find that no matter what chord you play, it’s just not the right one? We investigate two mystery chords in two classic songs. Read the post.

quote lyrics in books

Can authors quote your lyrics in their books?

November 21, 2018November 28, 2018 Andre Calilhanna

For someone to quote lyrics in a book, or liner notes, it requires special permission and is not covered by the set fees or processes of music licensing. Read the post.

remembering Chris Cornell

Five Takes on “Black Hole Sun” – Remembering Chris Cornell

June 19, 2017July 17, 2017 Michael Gallant

Though he covered tunes by many diverse artists, Cornell was no stranger to having his own songs covered as well; perhaps none has become as popular amongst other artists as Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun.” Read More.

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