Skip to content
Disc Makers Blog
  • Music Business
    • Disc Manufacturing & Design
    • Free Guides
    • Music Business & Music Management
    • Music Industry News
  • Music Marketing & Promotion
    • Crowdfunding for Musicians
    • Social Media for Musicians
    • YouTube & Music Videos
  • Performance & Rehearsal
    • Booking Shows & Touring
    • Live Performance
    • Musical Equipment & Gear Reviews
    • Singing Tips
  • Recording & Mastering
    • Audio Recording
    • Film and Authoring
    • Home Studio
    • Audio Mastering
    • Studio Gear
  • Songwriting
    • Music Licensing, Copyrights & Publishing
    • Songwriting tips
  • DISCMAKERS.COM

performance tips

pianist stretching her musical limits

Find new ways to stretch your musical limits and develop a creative routine

May 16, 2022May 18, 2022 Michael Gallant

Choosing to turn your creativity into a regular routine can help you stretch your limits, sharpen your skills, and open the door for new career opportunities.

young trio at band rehearsal

11 tips for better band rehearsals

May 5, 2022May 5, 2022 Bobby Borg

Band rehearsals are part of playing live music, and there are things you can do to ensure you’re making the most of your time. I’ve got 11 tips to get you on the right track. Read the post.

trans-siberian orchestra

What all musicians can learn from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra

December 16, 2021December 16, 2021 Michael Gallant

The symphonic metal mashup of “Carol of the Bells” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” holds lessons that can elevate music of any genre. 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.

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.

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.

McCoy Tyner

Things every musician and songwriter can learn from McCoy Tyner

August 6, 2020March 2, 2021 Michael Gallant

McCoy Tyner, a giant of jazz piano, embodied powerful lessons that music-makers of any sort can learn from. 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.

style of music

The case for playing every style of music

October 23, 2019October 23, 2019 Michael Gallant

While it might be impossible to play EVERY style of music there is, you can gain confidence, experience, and new ideas playing in musical genres outside of your regular routine. Read the post.

right outfit for the gig

Dress the part: Choosing the right outfit for the gig

April 9, 2019April 9, 2019 Michael Gallant

When you take the stage, the music comes first — but wearing the right outfit can play a small (or not so small) part in helping you give a performance your music deserves. Read the post.

playing at Carnegie Hall

Playing at Carnegie Hall … with five days’ notice

February 14, 2019February 14, 2019 Michael Gallant

When I had the opportunity to be playing at Carnegie Hall with the great Wouter Kellerman, I had to say yes. With the gig five days away, thoughtful, strategic practicing helped get the music where it needed to be in a short amount of time. Read the post.

  Older posts

Newsletter Signup

Recent Posts

  • packed crowd at a live music show

    How to make the most of your live music shows

  • pianist stretching her musical limits

    Find new ways to stretch your musical limits and develop a creative routine

  • songwriting duo, with lyricist in the forefront

    Things every lyricist should know

  • young trio at band rehearsal

    11 tips for better band rehearsals

  • headphones depicting music NFT

    NFTs are not ready for indie music

Disc Makers Resources

The Disc Makers Audio Catalog
Making a Great Master
The Home Studio Handbook
How To Make More Money With Music - The Complete Guide

Resources

Disc Packages & Vinyl
Services
Help
Pricing
Free Resources
1-800-468-9353

Connect on Social

  • Join us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Join us on YouTube
  • Follow us on Instagram
© Disc Makers Blog. All Rights Reserved.