Deliberate practice helps you become a better musician
Growth as a musician requires a practical approach, which can include the use of programs and apps to help organize and incentivize deliberate practice sessions. Read the post.
performance tips
Slide guitar: A tutorial in six videos
If you haven’t ever tried to play slide guitar, all you need is a metal or glass slide, some patience, and to apply a few basic tips, as presented in these six videos. Read the post.
Studying song structure can help you learn new material quickly
Strategies that involve focused listening and practice are key to learning new material quickly, and looking closely at song structure can lessen the amount of time it takes you to get from first listen to a strong, quality performance. Read the post.
8 tips to help you learn new music … fast
If you’re in a situation where you have to learn lots of new music in a very short time, these tips can help you develop a strategy so you can tackle the task and perform with confidence. Read the post.
Supercharge your music with the flat-six chord
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 can add subtle complexity to your songs
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.
Ninth chords add space, dissonance, and ambiance to your arrangements
There are many diverse kinds of ninth chords, and they are used in different ways. In this post, we’ll explore different kinds of ninth chords, how to use them, and provide examples of their use in popular music. Read More.
Five Takes on “Black Hole Sun” – Remembering Chris Cornell
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.
Six things I learned watching Chris Cornell cover other people’s songs
Listening to Chris Cornell cover various songs from a wide range of styles can teach you a lot about how to make the most of your own attempts. Read More.
Spice up your musical arrangements with substitution chords
Jazz musicians know and integrate substitution chords (also known as chord substitution or reharmonization) on a regular basis, but musicians who play other genres of music can also employ this concept to great effect. Read More.
Managing latency with your keyboard to lock in your parts
When playing keyboards, latency can refer to the delay between hitting a key and hearing the resulting sound. Just a little delay can derail your part. Read More.
Seven tips for recording great keyboard parts in the studio
Having an inspired idea is one thing, but actually recording great keyboard parts in the studio can be another. Here are seven tips to put you on the right track. Read More.
How to improve your live sound with music theory
Music theory is a set of tools you can lean on to help you write and compose, and being deliberate in how you arrange your parts can translate to a better sound on stage. Read More.
Challenge yourself when music practice gets stale
If your music practice routine has plateaued, it’s time to challenge yourself and try something new. We’ve got tips to get you out of your creative rut. Read More.
Band rehearsal lessons I learned from Jazz at Lincoln Center
Whatever your style of music or size of your ensemble, there’s a lot I learned watching the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra that you can apply to your next band rehearsal. Read More.