Using II-V-I and pivot chords - Harmony Basics - Part 19
LearningIn the previous article we saw how to use cadences to modulate to a different key. However, regardless of whether you use a cadence or not, a seamless modulation relies on the so-called pivot chords.
The Role of Cadence and Characteristic Notes in Modulat… - Harmony Basics - Part 18
LearningIt's not uncommon for a composer/songwriter to feel the need to leave the original key of the song he's writing and go explore some other ones. There are many reasons for that: to change the mood (i.…
Modulate It! - Harmony Basics - Part 17
LearningIn the previous articles... Yes, I know I often begin my articles this way but it's simply because I like things to make sense chronologically.
Relative Chord and Tonal Exchange Substitutions - Harmony Basics - Part 16
LearningThis time around, we'll look at two additional ways to substitute chords: Relative chord and tonal exchange substitutions. But before we do that, I want to complete the previous article and finish di…
Tritone Substitution and Secondary Dominants - Harmony Basics - Part 15
LearningIn this installment, we'll continue exploring chord substitutions with two new forms based on the dominant function.
Chord Substitutions - Harmony Basics - Part 14
LearningIn the previous two articles I took a brief detour from the somewhat theoretical tone of this series to show you some specific examples of harmonic chord progressions that are easy to understand and …
More Chord Progressions - Harmony Basics - Part 13
LearningIn the previous article I introduced you to some of the most popular cadences and chord progressions. But there are still some left!
Chord Progressions - Harmony Basics - Part 12
LearningIn the last article, we saw how chords have a natural tendency towards other chords depending on their degree in the key of the song where they are currently been employed.
Leading the Way - Harmony Basics - Part 11
LearningIn the previous articles we looked at how cadences work and how the fifth degree of a scale tends towards the first degree (yes, I know I've been repeating this every article). But, regardless of cad…
Harmonic Rhythm - Harmony Basics - Part 10
LearningToday, we will discuss one of the most important aspects in music, namely rhythm.
Stable and Unstable Chords - Harmony Basics - Part 9
LearningIn the previous articles we started discussing the most pertinent way to use chords to harmonize a melody.
Chord Tones and Non-Chord Tones - Harmony Basics - Part 8
LearningIn the previous articles we discussed what scales and major and minor modes are, as well as how a scale can be harmonized according to its different modes, thanks to chords. We also started exploring…
The Perfect Cadence...and More - Harmony Basics - Part 7
LearningIf you think of music as a language, then you could say that it's made up of phrases, with cadences acting like punctuation marks.
The Other Degrees of a Major Scale and the Minor Mode - Harmony Basics - Part 6
LearningAs we saw in the previous article, the I, IV and V chords of a major scale are themselves...major!
Introduction to Degrees - Harmony Basics - Part 5
LearningThis is one of those situations no composer can escape...and the reason for being of this series.
How to Build Chords - Harmony Basics - Part 4
LearningIn the previous articles we talked about major and minor chords, how scales are formed and how you can tell the key of a song from its key signature.
How To Tell the Key of a Song - Harmony Basics - Part 3
LearningAs we saw previously, the construction of any given scale requires that you respect certain intervals between the notes. To achieve that, and depending on the tonic and whether it's a major or minor …
Major and Minor Modes - Harmony Basics - Part 2
LearningToday we'll dive into the heart of the matter and tackle the different modes, major and minor (natural, melodic and harmonic), as well as the relative scales.
Basic Guitar Chords - Guitar essentials for writing songs and playing with other musicians
LearningSome people may just want to learn the basic guitar chords to impress girls (or boys) on the beach or to modestly accompany themselves when singing. Whatever your reasons, here are some basic chords …
How to Describe Tone - The Audible Frequency Range
LearningAs guitarists, most of us sooner or later find ourselves in pursuit of tone. A talented guitarist can find a way to make anything sound good, but there should be no doubt that our equipment and the …
Context!!!! - Spice it up! An Introduction To Modes
LearningThe aim of this article is to serve as a simple and straightforward introduction, or re-introduction, to the wonderful, but sometimes confusing world of modes.
Learning to Read Music - Music Notation Basics
LearningIt's never too late to learn how to read music, and with a little practice and tenacity, the basics can be learned quite quickly. And because knowing how to read and write music still has its benefit…
