Diminished chords: what they are and two ways to use them
Upon first listen to a diminished chord, it might be easy to think that it doesn't have many applications in your music. But in actuality, the diminished...
Songwriting
How to Create, Produce, Mix, and Master Your Own Music (Start to Finish)
End-to-end music production in home studios has skyrocketed in recent years, with more people than ever writing, producing, mixing, mastering, and releasing...
10 Pro Songwriting Tips for Vocalists
Are you a vocalist that’s looking for inspiration to start songwriting? Or are you an experienced songwriter looking for more tips and techniques to...
Kimbra Shares Mixing Techniques on Song “Secret Tapes”
When you think of songwriting and music production, do you think about mixing too? Or are they separate worlds for you? Not everyone produces and mixes...
The Power of the Pre-Chorus
The pre-chorus is arguably the most overlooked and underrated section of popular song structures. Having been established somewhere in the 1960s, the...
How to Create Strong Melodies
Have you ever had a moment listening to the radio and realize how insanely simple and repetitive most hit songs are? You think to yourself, “I could write...
5 Alternatives to Writing a Musical Bridge
A bridge by definition is a structure that carries a path across an obstacle. It’s a transporter that gets us from point A to point B efficiently and...
Writing to a Title
When it comes to songwriting, writing to a title is the topic of several courses, books, and countless conversations. In Nashville, it’s almost a...
4 Pre-Writing Tips for Your Songs
Finishing a song can be a struggle, but it doesn't have to be. In this piece, we hone in on key pre-writing techniques to help you get straight to the words,...
7 Tips for Writer's Block-busting Chord Progressions
There are a number of chord progression tricks you can use to make your songs more interesting. Common methods include borrowing chords from a parallel...
Time Signatures Explained, Part 5: Creating Interesting Motion with Meter Changes
If you've followed our Time Signature series, you are probably a pro at using standard time signatures and lots of odd meters. But did you know you...
How to Write a Bass Line When You're Not Flea or Geddy Lee
In the world of rock music, being ridiculous and flashy can get you a long way. For decades, rock has been propelled by bombastic lead singers,...
How to Write a Melody for Your Chord Progression
The importance of melody can’t be understated. Melodies are the part of music that we carry with us, what we use to craft traditions and beckon...
