The three major chords in a scale are amazing. I feel like I overlook them sometimes. I want to do more than write just another three chord song. But a solid melody and three chords is more than enough to write a great song.   This week’s musical idea is taking a look at a … Continue reading Saturday Songwriting: Scrape the Sun

A few days ago, I was checking out Jake Lizzio’s video (from Signals Music Studio) looking at the chord progression of Bruno Mars’s “When I Was Your Man.” It’s a cool video, and the song has some great changes to explore. And like pretty much all music theory, it can be a little intimidating if … Continue reading Saturday Songwriting: Caged Lioness

Today is Halloween. This week, I figured I’d share something scary--or at least potentially spooky--and focus in on chords in a minor scale. Not merely a minor scale, but the A minor scale and how to find the chords in it, and play around with them.   Minor scales are notoriously unstable, and there are … Continue reading Saturday Songwriting: It’s Shadow Shall Appear

Some songs I hear for the first time and I’m just floored. “You Are Not Alone,” performed by Mavis Staples is one of those songs. The lyric is simple, but deep. The chords and melody, likewise are pretty straight forward. But there are some kinks.   Watch for the moment about 30 seconds in, right … Continue reading Saturday Songwriting: Through the Woods

Sometimes things can be virtually the same, even though they look pretty different. That’s the case with the C and G chords on the guitar. They are built in the same way, but use different notes. Also, their fingering on the fretboard appears pretty different because of the how the guitar is tuned.   This … Continue reading Saturday Songwriting: I Needed a Myth