Through means of Dancehall rhythms, modal interchange, and ostinato, Michael Jackson gives us glimpses of Black American heritage in his protest song.
3 Scale Modes That Will Deepen the Emotions of Your Pop Song
If you’re looking to impart a sinister, mysterious, bittersweet, or jazzy quality into your songwriting, do it using scale modes! Here’s how.
How to Prepare for the Differences of On-Stage Sound at Bigger Venues
Is your band prepping to go on the road supporting a bigger artist, or did you finally just get national distribution? Read this now.
How John Williams Implies Modality Within Diatonic Harmony in “Yoda’s Theme”
Learn how composer John Williams is able to transform the notes of his Yoda leitmotif into a colorful tapestry using themes of elevation, mystique, and uncertainty.
Goal Setting and Staying Accountable in the New Year Ahead
How to make sure you hold yourself accountable to your goals, and dreams? Make a plan, make a schedule, and get yourself a mentor.
The Best Choruses We Heard in 2019
2019 was a year of smash hits, global pop moments that shattered the musical landscape. Let’s dive in to some of the choruses stuck in our ears all year.
5 Songwriting Techniques The Beatles Taught Us All
Today we analyze five important songwriting techniques that The Beatles pioneered that are still relevant and powerful in today’s pop songwriting styles.
Tredici Bacci’s Simon Hanes on Making Space for Magic to Happen (and the ’70s)
Simon Hanes of NYC’s Tredici Bacci and Guerilla Toss stops by to tell us about his new record, composing Italian funk tunes, and more!
The Basics of the Dorian Mode for Guitar
A lesson on how to use one of the most exciting and practical scale modes for soloing on the guitar in jazz, blues, rock, and fusion.
The Defining Characteristics of the Perfect Support Set
Invited to play on a bigger stage, opening for a bigger band? Here’s a guide to help you nail that support set to keep them coming back!