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write a great chorus

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.

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.

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.

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.

guitarist playing a song with one chord

Can you write a song with just one chord?

March 9, 2022March 10, 2022 Scott McCormick

While it might be difficult to keep a song interesting if you limit it to one chord, it can help create tension, highlight your lyrics, or drive a hypnotic groove. Read the post.

Acoustic guitarist playing a pedal point

The pedal point: A quick study

February 3, 2022February 4, 2022 Scott McCormick

A pedal point can make a standard progression more interesting or ground a complex progression in something familiar. Read the post.

two chords

Can you write a song with just two chords?

November 8, 2021February 3, 2022 Scott McCormick

These songs from decades past show us that you can do a lot with just a little. Let’s explore the magic of the bVII-I progression and how two chords can make a song. Read the post

conversational lyrics

Writing conversational lyrics: Say it like you say it

April 28, 2021April 5, 2022 Johnny Dwinell and Brent Baxter

Song lyrics are not poems put to music. Lyrics can be poetic and should be interesting, but there’s power in conversational lyrics that sound like something the character in your song would actually say. Read the post.

eleventh chord

Liven things up with eleventh chords

March 9, 2021July 19, 2022 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.

songwriting

Songwriting Dos and Don’ts

May 4, 2020May 10, 2022 Johnny Dwinell and Brent Baxter

A recent “Play For a Publisher” event featured Stacey Willbur, VP of Publishing and A&R for Full Circle Music sharing her feedback about 10 songs that were selected to be showcased. Read the post.

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