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Songwriting Composition Theory

Guitarists passing on hard-won knowledge β€” how to practice, how to record, how to finish something, and how to keep going when it stops being fun. Written since 1996, and still being written.
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98 columns of 2,622  Β·  page 1 of 3
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Applying Negative Harmony To Modes

Tommaso Zillio

Tommaso promised... Tommaso delivered. What negative modal theory is all about.

April 2025
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Avoiding Parallel 5ths In A Chord Progression

Tommaso Zillio

Are there progressions impossible to play without using parallel 5ths?

December 2024
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

When The Wrong Chord Sounds Better

Tommaso Zillio

How to get solid sounds by playing the 'wrong' chord.

January 2024
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

The Difference Between m7b5 And Half-Diminished 7 Chords

Tommaso Zillio

Two chords. And these two chords have the exact same notes.

January 2024
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

"Stealing" Music With Negative Harmony And Negative Melody

Tommaso Zillio

Rachmaninoff composed one of his best melodies by lifting a theme from Paganini.

December 2023
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

The Enigmatic Scale: Using Music Theory To Cheat

Tommaso Zillio

The Enigmatic scale has been written precisely to be hard to use.

August 2023
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Learn The Stevie Wonder Chord

Tommaso Zillio

Many things to be learned from Stevie's prodigious songwriting abilities.

June 2023
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Is The Aeolian Scale The Minor Scale, Or Not?

Tommaso Zillio

This may run counter to what you have learned.

June 2023
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

You Know Music Theory? Don't Read This

Tommaso Zillio

The basics: notes, scales, and chords and how they work together.

May 2023
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Explaining The "Fade To Black" Modulation

Tommaso Zillio

How the key change works, and how we can do the same in our songs.

March 2023
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Negative Harmony Explained In A Simple Way

Tommaso Zillio

We're positive you should be exposed to negative harmony.

December-January 2020
Guest Columnists
Vlad De Briansky

12-Bar Blues - Quick And Easy

Vlad De Briansky

Learn the essence of blues, in the key of G.

December-January 2019
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Is Music Theory The Same For All Instruments?

Tommaso Zillio

Let's explode this myth.

October-November 2019
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Is It Possible To Compose Without Knowing Music Theory?

Tommaso Zillio

Answering yes to this question may be a little deceiving.

October-November 2019
Guest Columnists
Simon Dupree

The 4 Best Microphones For Recording Acoustic Guitar Under $500

Simon Dupree

Some rare studio gems which can be found for under $500.

August-September 2019
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Do You Have To Be A Certain Age To Learn Music Theory?

Tommaso Zillio

Is any time a good time to learn?

August-September 2019
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Is Music Theory Only For Expert Or Intermediate Players?

Tommaso Zillio

If you know scales and chords, then you are ready to start learning music theory.

June-July 2019
Guest Columnists
Roz Bruce

8 Tips To Take Your Songwriting To The Next Level

Roz Bruce

Songwriting can’t be taught… can it?

June-July 2019
Guest Columnists
Just Rijna

When Should You Start Training Your Ears?

Just Rijna

How ear training helps you develop skills that are at the core of your musicianship.

June-July 2019
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Music Theory And Music Notation Are Very Different Things

Tommaso Zillio

Is it possible to get by as a musician without learning to read music?

June-July 2019
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Learn More Music Theory - Get More Creative

Tommaso Zillio

Think outside the box when it feels like you've already played everything of which you feel capable.

April-May 2019
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Four Common Mistakes Made When Learning Music Theory

Tommaso Zillio

This article is a great place to start if you are ready to learn music theory in a more useful and effective way.

April-May 2019
Guest Columnists
Vlad De Briansky

Be Like A. Einstein

Vlad De Briansky

Remember: your unique intuition is the most important asset you possess.

February-March 2019
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

How Well Must You Play An Instrument In Order To Compose Music?

Tommaso Zillio

Which instrument should you be using, and is it possible to get away with not using one at all?

February-March 2019
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

A Sure-Fire Way For Beginners Musicians To Learn Theory

Tommaso Zillio

Tips on how to continue your understanding of music theory with the right foot forward.

December-January 2018
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Get Over Your Songwriter's Block With This Simple Advice

Tommaso Zillio

It's a misconception that inspiration is something that just appears out of thin air.

October-November 2018
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Writing Music Lyrics That People Can Sing Along To

Tommaso Zillio

Get memorable - immerse yourself into the world of repetition.

October-November 2018
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Two Simple Ways That Will Improve Your Guitar Improvisation Game

Tommaso Zillio

Write an inspirational song that people actually want to listen to by incorporating different keys.

August-September 2018
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Writing Songs That Don't Suck

Tommaso Zillio

If your songs are pleasant to listen to, but not the most captivating, check out these tips.

August-September 2018
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Key Changes: One Technique That Will Make Or Break Your Composition

Tommaso Zillio

Write an inspirational song that people actually want to listen to by incorporating different keys.

August-September 2018
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

How To Simplify Your Lyric Writing For The Better

Tommaso Zillio

a simple and fun trick that many professionals often use in their songs.

April-May 2018
Guest Columnists
Just Rijna

Three Songwriting Myths that Will Stifle Your Creativity

Just Rijna

Exploding the myths surrounding talent, inspiration and writer's block.

April-May 2018
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Transforming An Idea Into A Song

Tommaso Zillio

Tips on how to ready yourself for your next burst of songwriting inspiration.

February-March 2018
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Song Writing Basics: Starting From A Single Idea

Tommaso Zillio

There's a chance you have too many unfinished songs sitting on your computer, or maybe even on your bookshelf - let's finish them.

December-January 2017
Guest Columnists
James Rosocha

Quoting The Melody Of Tunes

James Rosocha

Melodies are what stick in the listeners mind and convey passion and emotion: creating coherence in your solos.

December-January 2017
Guest Columnists
Tommaso Zillio

Are Some People Born Natural Songwriters?

Tommaso Zillio

Tommaso maintains the skill of songwriting is developed through years of practice.

October-November 2017
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