Songwriting and writer’s block: 11 tips to help the songwriter get unstuck
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.
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Use borrowed chords to add drama, depth, and variety to your music
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.
Add zest with diminished chords
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.
How to start writing songs
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: Insights and advice on the craft of writing a song
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.
Musical improvisation: how to make music in the moment
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.
What makes power chords so powerful?
Power chords might not be chords, but they’re powerful intervals — especially when mixed with distortion. Read the post.
The Lydian Mode can give your song a lift
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.
After the Beatles: Paul McCartney’s basslines
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.
Be ready when musical inspiration strikes
Remove all barriers between you and playing/recording your instrument so you can be ready the moment musical inspiration strikes. Read the post.
Things every lyricist should know
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.
The genius of Paul McCartney’s basslines
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.
The major mediant chord can add an unexpected surprise
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.
The beginner music producer’s checklist
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.
Finding inspiration for your songs
Songs can be about anything, so why not look in unconventional places to find the creative spark your next song needs. Read the post.