Is “If I Fell” The Beatles’ Hippest Pre-Revolver Tune?
What’s going on in this subtly sophisticated pop hit? Turns out… a lot! Let’s break down this romantic ballad off of “A Hard Day’s Night.”
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On Chord Fragments and Nuanced Embellishments in Talking Heads’ “Slippery People”
A quick and fun breakdown of one of David Byrne’s most slippery songs from the Talking Heads catalog, and why it works so well…
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An Intermediate Guide to Chord Tones and Tensions
Thinking about how chords relate to the notes in your melody is an important aspect of voice leading with intention — here’s a quick guide.
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A Pop Songwriter’s Introduction to Jazz Chords
Songwriters and producers, ready to get jazzy? Here’s an introductory guide to building and using jazz chords in pop music!
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A Chord Sequence to Score an Imaginary Film Scene
What if part of your practice as a musician, composer, or producer, was to score an imaginary film scene? How would you tackle that challenge?
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A Chord Sequence to Score an Imaginary Film Scene
What if part of your practice as a musician, composer, or producer, was to score an imaginary film scene? How would you tackle that challenge?
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How D’Angelo Uses Funky Dominant Sevenths in “Sugah Daddy”
In this short analysis, we break down the source of D’Angelo’s funky sound, his impeccable use of dominant sevenths in spread voicings.
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A Harmonic Analysis of Radiohead’s “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi”
Let’s revisit one of Radiohead’s most propulsive and intricately layered songs, to deconstruct all the elements at play and how they function.
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A Harmonic Analysis of Michael Jackson’s Protest Song “They Don’t Care About Us”
Through means of Dancehall rhythms, modal interchange, and ostinato, Michael Jackson gives us glimpses of Black American heritage in his protest song.
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What the “Tristan Chord” Is and How to Use It
An in-depth exploration of one of the most storied chords in opera, what makes it so influential, and how to use it yourself in your compositions.
