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songwriter

Songwriting and writers block

Songwriting and writer’s block: 11 tips to help the songwriter get unstuck

February 4, 2023February 5, 2023 Michael Gallant

What do you do when you hit a wall when you’re writing a song? Here are tips from experienced songwriters to help you overcome writer’s block. Read the post.

teacher telling student about borrowed chords

Use borrowed chords to add drama, depth, and variety to your music

January 13, 2023January 13, 2023 Scott McCormick

Looking to spice up your chord progressions? Why not borrow a chord or two from a different mode or scale? Borrowed chords are a tried-and-true way to add an unexpected touch to songs. Read the post.

guitarist playing diminished chords

Add zest with diminished chords

December 6, 2022January 13, 2023 Scott McCormick

While major and minor chords get all the attention, don’t neglect music’s lovely diminished chords. They can spice up your boring chord progressions and add drama to your songs. Read the post.

a new songwriter trying her hand to start writing songs

How to start writing songs

November 14, 2022January 13, 2023 Scott McCormick

Have you got the music in you and want to start writing songs? Here’s a no-nonsense primer to getting your songwriting career started. Read the post.

songwriting tips and advice

Songwriting tips: Insights and advice on the craft of writing a song

September 15, 2022October 14, 2022 Disc Makers

We’ve posted songwriting tips that cover music theory, the use of interesting chords, lyric writing advice, and ways to channel creativity. Read and enjoy.

colorful illustration of saxophonist in the midst of musical improvisation

Musical improvisation: how to make music in the moment

August 12, 2022August 12, 2022 Michael Gallant

Becoming fluent with musical improvisation is an attainable goal. Here are some tips to help you grow in that direction and to make your own music improv shine. Read the post.

man playing a power chord

What makes power chords so powerful?

August 5, 2022August 5, 2022 Scott McCormick

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

pianist playing the lydian mode

The Lydian Mode can give your song a lift

June 22, 2022June 22, 2022 Scott McCormick

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

Paul McCartney onstage

After the Beatles: Paul McCartney’s basslines

June 10, 2022June 10, 2022 Keith Hatschek and Robert Bassett

The genius of Paul McCartney’s basslines never wavered, but his choices as a bass player post-Beatles show his focus was ever more on the song and serving the vocal melody. Read the post.

guitarist at home studio playing when musical inspiration strikes

Be ready when musical inspiration strikes

June 7, 2022June 7, 2022 Michael Gallant

Remove all barriers between you and playing/recording your instrument so you can be ready the moment musical inspiration strikes. Read the post.

songwriting duo, with lyricist in the forefront

Things every lyricist should know

May 10, 2022May 11, 2022 Johnny Dwinell and Brent Baxter

If you are a lyricist, or if you also write melody but you think your strength is more lyric, this is for you. This is more mindset stuff, so this will be helpful no matter what your thing is. Read the post.

a look at Paul McCartney’s basslines

The genius of Paul McCartney’s basslines

April 26, 2022April 26, 2022 Keith Hatschek and Robert Bassett

Paul McCartney’s basslines are an integral part of the Beatles’ evolution from world-beating pop band to musical pioneers. We identify just what McCartney did to make his parts stand out from what other bassists were doing at the time. Read the post.

guitarist playing a major mediant chord

The major mediant chord can add an unexpected surprise

April 13, 2022April 13, 2022 Scott McCormick

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

beginner music producer at work in her home studio

The beginner music producer’s checklist

March 1, 2022November 30, 2022 Mark Bacino

Are you a songwriter ready to record your songs but not exactly sure how to go from song idea to music producer? These ideas will get you started. Read the post.

songwriter looking for songwriting inspiration

Finding inspiration for your songs

February 11, 2022March 25, 2022 Michael Gallant

Songs can be about anything, so why not look in unconventional places to find the creative spark your next song needs. Read the post.

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