Music Theory & Education

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Music Theory: Hollywood Scales, Part 3

In this short series, Toby Pitman explores how the best Hollywood composers convey emotion in their musical scores. Part 3 (of 3), focuses in on the Major scale for those heroic journeys.

Music Theory: Hollywood Scales, Part 2

In this short series, Toby Pitman explores how the best Hollywood composers convey emotion in their musical scores. Part 2 (of 3), focuses in on the Diminished scale.

Music Theory: Hollywood Scales, Part 1

In this short series, Toby Pitman explores how the best Hollywood composers convey emotion in their musical scores. Part 1 (of 3), focuses in on the Lydian scale.

Joni Mitchell’s BLUE - 10 Songs That Changed The World

Joni Mitchell's Blue album was released 50 years ago and it remains one of the most influential singer-songwriter albums ever created.

Music Theory : Why Producers Should Learn Jazz

These three Jazz music theory elements will give every producer a way to enhance songs in almost any genre.

Music Theory: Reading a Lead Sheet

Lead sheets aren’t just for jazz players these days! Whatever type of music you might play or produce, the lead sheet is an extremely common way to notate a piece in a small amount of space.

How To Immediately Get Started With Auto-Tune

In this short series, master musician Matt Vanacoro takes us through the basics of getting started using Auto-Tune with some helpful tips and tricks veteran producers will find useful too.

Understanding Music Theory for DAW Musicians: Notes on the Staff and Clefs

If you're a producer that can't read music notation that's ok. Joshua Carney shows how to bring essential music theory into your DAW for a better music production workflow experience.

Using Velocity To Make Your Orchestral MIDI Tracks Sound Like The Real Thing

If there's one crucial technique to master to make your DAW orchestral tracks sound authentic, it's this.

Parametric Composition Using Opus Modus 2.0

Parametric composition involves working with data, MIDI and programming in an unconventional way. But the results can be unlike anything you've heard before. Here's how to get started...

Music Scoring Skills: How To Create Epic Buildups

See and hear how to layer and arrange orchestral instruments to create epic buildups and swells that are perfect for creating an emotional response. This video shows you how.

4 Useful Chord Techniques For Non-Keyboard Playing Producers

Whether you're an experienced keyboard player or just beginning to learn your way around the keys, here are 4 chord techniques that will serve you well when playing and recording.

Scientists Have Created The Loudest Sound Ever... Yes, Louder Than Your Amp Turned To 11

How loud is the loudest sound ever made - even the loudest sound it is possible to make? Scientists think they have the answer, and it might surprise you how they got there.

The Clarinet Is A Unique Instrument To Use When Orchestrating. Here's Why.

The design, evolution and range of the clarinet make it a fascinating instrument to play and score with. Here, Thomas Goss shows you exactly why that is the case.

Orchestration Tips: "Sauce Making" With Sample Libraries

What's the secret to making great-sounding orchestral parts? As Jay Asher explains, it's all in the sauce. Read on to find out the recipe...