The Office Theme music couldn’t be more indicative of Michael Scott’s character persona, it functions almost as a leitmotif for three reasons, here’s how.
Stravinsky & Jazz: Yes, Even Classical Music Is Influenced by Black American Forms
Stravinsky’s music and the music of Charlie Parker and John Coltrane have been compared to Cubism, is jazz the connector? We trace the influences.
How to Generate Great Songwriting Ideas with Object Writing Technique
Object writing is a great songwriter’s tool for generating new song ideas, new perspectives, and fresh observations. Here’s how it works.
Austin Kleon Says You Should Rip Off Other Musicians (and He’s Right)
What does it mean to “steal like an artist” versus like a thief? Austin Kleon helps explain the difference, and we’ve got advice as to how to do it!
Inspired By or Just Plain Copying: A Guide to “Borrowing” Song Ideas
How do you morph admiration into inspiration while avoiding unacknowledged theft of song ideas? Borrowing with respect and intention is how.
When Truman Touches the Wall
We break down the small yet significant harmonic effect that makes the climactic scene in The Truman Show break down all of our emotional barriers.
Acoustic Versions of Your Electronic Songs Are Rad. Here’s Why…
More than just a marketing gimmick, recording new acoustic versions of your songs can be an enlightening, enjoyable experience on a few levels!
Math and Music: Making Complex Meters Simple
Most of musical notation can be interpreted in simple mathematic structures, here’s how you can learn complex time signatures in a super easy way!
Syncopation in Chopin
What happens when you remix a Chopin piano étude with the Amen Break? A ton of interesting glitched out syncopations! Let’s explore…
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.