Volume swells can make single notes sound like a violin and chords like an orchestra.

Howcast - Learn how to practice tremolo in this flamenco guitar lesson video from Howcast.

Why do second inversion chords demand special treatment? Starting with an explanation of why root position and first inversion chords are stable in themselves we are introduced to 6/4 5/3 progressions and passing 6/4 chords, as the...

Resolving Neapolitan flat II chords? It's all about chord progression. This music theory lesson explains why the choice of resolution chords are limited, essentially because the chord functions as a pre dominant. We consider matters of...

Here's an idea for writing a sequence based on using a chain of suspensions above a descending scale in the bass line. Descending scales in the bass can be awkward to harmonise satisfactorily without generating parallels. This pattern...

This music composition lesson explores one idea for writing a sequence based on a pattern in the bass line. In this case, the bass alternates falling thirds with rising seconds to generate a melodic pattern at the bottom of the...

We explore one idea for harmonising a descending scale in the bass line. Many people find it easier to harmonise an ascending scale than a descending scale and most people find it easier to harmonise a scale at the top of the texture...

We consider the possibilities for using chord V as either a major or a minor chord. In the harmonic minor context used by most composers since 1600 chord V is always major but in the context of the descending melodic minor scale and in...

A clever little music composition technique for you to try in your next piece. This music composition lesson begins with a reminder of how to extend triads to 7th chords in the conventional manner. It then goes on to consider an...

How do you know which chord you could use next? We share our very own major chord progression chart that will help get you started in figuring out which chord comes next. Musicians often wonder which is the best way to progress from one...

How do you know which chord you could use next? We share our very own minor chord progression chart that will help get you started in figuring out which chord comes next. Musicians often wonder which is the best way to progress from one...

Learn how to write a melody over a chord progression. Have you got a great set of chords that need a melody to fit with them? In this music composition lesson we learn how to compose or improvise a melody that fits with a given chord...

Today we will look at a chord progression, but we will look at it in two different ways. First, as an 18th century piano composition. Then, as a 1950s American dance music. The trick is that we will use the same chord progression for...

Are you struggling to get started in writing a chord progression? If you want to use chord III what are the best options for chords to follow? This music composition lesson gives you plenty of options for chords that progress well from...

Are you struggling to get started in writing a chord progression? If you want to use chord VI what are the best options for chords to follow? This music composition lesson gives you plenty of options for chords that progress well from...

The Major scale and the Ionian mode share a lot. Pitch collection, home note, key signature. So, are they the same? We find out today on Two Minute Music Theory. Season 3, Episode 8

Are you struggling to get started in writing a chord progression? If you want to use chord II what are the best options for chords to follow? This music composition lesson gives you plenty of options for chords that progress well from...

How to compose and develop melody over a set of chords. Are you someone who can come up with a chord progression but you’re not quite sure how to improvise or write a melody to go with it? In this music composition lesson, we take a...

What is the Difference between the Ionian Mode and the Major Scale

Last time we talked about chord progressions in a major key. Today we will look at chord progressions in a minor key. In this video we will find the key signature for the minor key, build the diatonic chords of that key, make a chord...

There is one chord progression that gets used in almost every style of music from classical, jazz, hip hop, pop music, and EDM. It is the V - I chord progression. Today, we are going to break this down to see why it works and how it...

What is the difference between 3/4 and 6/8 time signatures? Mathematically it appears that 3/4 and 6/8 are two versions of the same thing. On the face of it, there may appear to be little difference between music in 3/4 time or music in...

Today we're going to look at voice leading. Voice leading is a way to get from chord to chord in music that makes it sound connected (and can make it easier for musicians to play). First, we will take a chord progression, add a bass line...

How to find and choose chords to fit a melody. Have you ever written a melody but didn’t really know how to find chords to fit it? If you have a melody and you’re searching for chords to harmonise with it this music composition lesson...