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music theory

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.

play eleventh and thirteenth chords C13b9

How to play eleventh and thirteenth chords on guitar

February 15, 2019July 2, 2019 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.

eleventh chords

The lush world of eleventh chords

January 18, 2019January 18, 2020 Scott McCormick

Eleventh chords can liven up music in any genre, but they can be confusing. Here are some charts and examples to help guide you in your pursuit of extended chords. Read the post.

A pianist employing the use of a pedal point.

One note to rule them all: The pedal point

August 30, 2018October 2, 2018 Scott McCormick

A pedal point is the repetition or sustain of a single note throughout various harmonic changes that can make a standard progression more interesting or ground a complex progression in something familiar. Read the post.

hit single

From demo to hit single: Owner of a Lonely Heart

August 22, 2018August 30, 2018 Scott McCormick

Here’s the story of how an unlikely collaboration met with a massive riff, memorable chorus, groundbreaking samples, and an in-your-face solo to produce a surprise hit single in 1983. Read the post.

constructing a song

Constructing a song from a melody

July 24, 2018July 24, 2018 Izotope

When you’re constructing a song, think of it in relation to the human body. You build the skeleton first, which can be a melody, and develop your song from there. Read the post.

power chords

The awesome power of power chords

July 3, 2018July 3, 2018 Scott McCormick

Power chords might not be chords, but they’re powerful intervals — especially when mixed with distortion. Read the post.

A musician writing in key changes and modulations to spice up a song.

Key change! How to wow ‘em with a chorus modulation

May 29, 2018September 27, 2019 Scott McCormick

A song can take you on a journey, and including a key change — or modulation — can produce various emotional effects, from brightening the mood to creating a sense of unease. Read the post.

flat-six chord

Supercharge your music with the flat-six chord

March 13, 2018November 11, 2019 Scott McCormick

Borrowed chords (chords “borrowed” from a key’s parallel minor) are commonly used in music influenced by the blues, including rock, jazz, R&B, even country and folk. Today we’ll focus on the flat-six chord. Read the post.

Sixth Chords

Sixth chords can add subtle complexity to your songs

February 19, 2018January 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 More.

good vibrations and smile

“Good Vibrations” and Smile: A complex album built on a song

January 22, 2018January 22, 2018 Scott McCormick

Not only does “Good Vibrations” provide a structural template for Smile, it also gives the album its tonal language. Nearly every song or song section is written in one of “Good Vibrations” chords. Read More.

write a great melody

How to write a great melody, Part 2: Putting the rules to work

December 18, 2017December 18, 2017 Scott McCormick

To write a great melody, throw in a dramatic flourish to enhance a moment, but sing the way people speak: It sounds better and makes a melody more memorable. Read More.

how to write a great melody

How to write a great melody, Part 1: What makes a melody great?

December 12, 2017December 12, 2017 Scott McCormick

While I can’t give you an exact recipe for how to write a great melody, I can point out some common traits great melodies have to help improve your melodic skills. Read More.

song structures of Roy Orbison and Kendrick Lamar

Subverting song structures: Roy Orbison and Kendrick Lamar

November 27, 2017October 8, 2018 Scott McCormick

Taking liberties with traditional song structures can be a great way to stand apart from your peers, keep listeners on edge, add a sense of drama, and make even a short song seem like an epic. Read More.

Brian Wilson songwriting

Brian Wilson’s songwriting tricks and techniques

October 18, 2017May 24, 2018 Scott McCormick

We look at recurring songwriting and chord techniques Brian Wilson used to create some of the most beloved and enduring songs in 20th century popular music. Read More.

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