The Modes are viewed as this big, scary thing and it certainly took me some years to get my head around them. What have for you today is exactly what I wish someone had told me years ago.
Music Theory
Month of Chords
Througout April I challenged myself to write a new set of chords every day, posting them up on Twitter. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Liam, you're a musician. Surely you're writing music all the time?" Yeah, sure, but I don't usually have the time to actively improve on my craft. Working on something will … Continue reading Month of Chords
Phasing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ5h7WZn8Pw Exploring Phasing through traditional music score and digital audio manipulation. Phasing as a super cool composition technique which is used to great effect in minimalism and abstract pieces of music but can be equally useful and intriguing in modern music too. The scoring software is Guitar Pro 7 and the DAW is Cubase 8.5
Line Cliché [Composition Toolbelt]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9N3dF96UyQ What is a Line Cliché and how can you use them in your compositions? Video includes guitar tab, chords and notation.
The Picardy Third
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLXk1xcvQck What is a Picardy Third and how can you use them in your compositions? RE the thumbnail: Yes. I know. That's the joke.
Retrograde
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wuy3-YvcoLI A new compisition technique for your toolbelt - used in minimalism and more abstract styles, Retrograde can be a fun way to manipulate a phrase or leitmotif.
Addition & Subtraction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRg3lro2Fik A new composition technique for you. Addition & Subtraction are commonly found in minimalism but has uses in contemporary cinematic music or even pop and rock.
How To Write A Christmas Song
Want to write your own Christmas Single? This is the post for you!
Does Mario Djent?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_esR2cfCmsg Examining a spooky composition technique used in Super Mario World, how it relates to metal riffs and how to make your audience deeply, deeply unsettled.
Intervals: The Root Of Feeling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FosUcq1zls4 Pun intended. Intervals are a massively important but often overlooked aspect of music theory, especially for guitar. Knowing what interval you're playing and what impact that has on your listener will make you a powerful composer and improviser.