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music arrangement

sixth chords

Sixth chords add moody complexity to your music

January 19, 2021January 19, 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, 2020December 22, 2020 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.

music at the polls

Playing live music at the polls

October 29, 2020October 29, 2020 Michael Gallant

Around the country, indie musicians of all styles and genres are playing live music at the polls as people wait to vote. Here are some tips for bringing your music to the voters. Read the post.

logic or pro tools

Logic or Pro Tools? Which is better for you?

October 15, 2020November 6, 2020 Bobby Borg

Bobby Borg talks with Maurizio De Togni to compare Avid’s Pro Tools software with Apple’s Logic Pro based on price, usability, and compatibility — with a focus on the independent artist. Read the post.

live strings

Adding live strings to your recording

October 13, 2020October 13, 2020 Michael Gallant

When you’re ready to add violin, cello, or other orchestral strings to your recordings, these tips will get you off the ground and help you communicate and harness the creativity of your collaborators. Read the post.

writing pop songs

Writing pop songs that stand out

September 17, 2020October 15, 2020 Bobby Borg

Bobby Borg talks with Anika Paris — an award-winning singer/songwriter, classically trained pianist, and published poet and author — about ways to write unique pop songs. Read the post.

Ben Folds "2020"

Ben Folds’ “2020” — A case study for indie artists

July 30, 2020July 30, 2020 Michael Gallant

From songwriting ideas to recording technique, there’s a lot you can learn from the songwriter’s tragi-comic recording-in-quarantine project. Read the post.

math and music

The functional relationship between math and music

July 9, 2020July 9, 2020 Reema Krishnan

The relationship between math and music extends to many elements of both, and studying one can lead to success in the other. If nothing else, the connection is an interesting one to explore. 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.

Gustavo Dudamel classical conductor

What can indie artists learn from a classical conductor?

February 12, 2020July 3, 2020 Michael Gallant

LA Philharmonic’s Gustavo Dudamel embodies principles and practices that will benefit music-makers of any style and genre. Read the post.

Lydian mode

Lift ‘em up with the Lydian Mode

February 10, 2020February 17, 2020 Scott McCormick

In music, a mode is a formula for creating a musical scale. The Ionian (major) formula is W–W–H–W–W–W–H. The Lydian formula (W–W–W–H–W–W–H) can give your melody or progression an uplifting and yearning feeling. Read the post.

mediant chord

Surprise ‘em with the major mediant chord

December 4, 2019December 11, 2019 Scott McCormick

While the mediant (iii chord) isn’t as structurally integral as the tonic, dominant , or subdominant, employing it can provide an unexpected surprise that will make listeners’ ears perk up every time. Read the post.

solo performance

Re-arranging big songs for solo performance

November 20, 2019November 20, 2019 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.

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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