The Music Theory Crash Course continues with our look at cadences. This time we break down the Imperfect Authentic Cadence. We look at some cadence examples on the piano and explain how to identify an Imperfect Authentic Cadence as well...

Chord identification on the piano and how to tell the difference between major, minor, augmented, and diminished chords. In this music theory lesson all is explained. Within any major key there is found a mixture of major, minor, and...

Learn all about false relation and the two ways in which it commonly occurs. A false relation comes about when there are two notes of the same letter but with differing accidentals that either occur simultaneously or between one chord...

Today we're looking at the 14-part clusterchord from Water Night by Eric Whitacre, how it is constructed, and how it all works - thanks to a good preparation of voicing and voice-leading.

Teaching you the best ways to deal with second inversion chords. The second inversion chord is explained along with its unstable characteristics and the video goes on to illustrate the most convincing musical contexts for using the chord...

Learn how to easily modulate from one key to another using a pivot chord. Some people can write a piece of music but experience difficulty when it comes to modulation i.e. moving from one key to another. This music composition lesson...

Improve your melody writing and learn all about anticipation notes and non-harmonic tones. When melody notes fit the prevailing chord we refer to them as harmony notes. When they do not fit the chord they should belong to one of the...

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

In this video I show how I 3D printed lithophane lamps for Christmas gifts.

How to improve your piano accompaniments. This music performance lesson explores how to bring piano accompaniments to life when you simply have a set of chords to read. When piano and other keyboard players read a melody from a lead...

Is There Life On Mars? A harmonic analysis of one of Bowie's best. We delve into the mind of the composer and explore what makes David Bowie’s “Life on Mars” such an original and iconic song. The main focus is on the harmonic content of...

Today's question is about the difference between the Tritone Substitution and the Augmented 6 Chord. Is there a difference? Are they the same thing? Will a fight break out in the comments section? Does the Australian Augmented 6 actually...

Season 3, Episode 19 - Two Minute Music Theory Today we begin a series on Building Chords. Starting with the two most common types of chords in western music: The Major and Minor Chords.

Learn how to easily modulate using something known as a pivot chord. Do you struggle to modulate from one key to another? Then this is for you. Lots of people can write or improvise music but get stuck in one key. Changing key, or...

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...

What does a lead sheet look like and how do you play from one? This music performance lesson takes you through the first eight bars of a famous Standard, “Lullaby of Birdland”, explaining how a lead sheet works, unpacking how to read...

The plagal cadence, also sometimes called the "amen" cadence. In this video we look at examples of the plagal cadence, how it is used in music, and what it sounds like by listening to some examples. This continues our look into music...

Every year thousands of babies die from a disease that strikes in the very first days or hours of life. Today tetanus affects only the world’s poorest and most remote communities – but it still claims the lives of about 150,000 babies...

How to write better harmony and chord progressions. This music composition lesson begins with what is often a typical working of a four-part harmony exercise, which doesn’t sound bad but doesn’t sound good. We explore what works and what...

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...

Learn all about the interrupted cadence, also known as the deceptive cadence, which chords it uses and how it sounds. Would you like to write an interrupted cadence? Would you like to be able to hear interrupted cadences? Cadences...

In this video, the teacher explains how to read words with the R controlled syllable, specifically focusing on the OR sound like in "fork." The teacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing the OR syllable and blending the sounds...

Always wondered what we mean by the term extended chords? Want to use extended chords but not sure how to? Are you a composer who can use chords but want your chords to be more interesting and more colourful? Want to be able to use...

Find out what makes a secondary dominant and how best to use them. A secondary dominant is a way of adding a touch of harmonic colour to a piece of music. It occurs when a V-l progression occurs in a key other than the prevailing key....