Music Theory & Education

/ 177 Articles

10 Ways to Unlock the Power of Chord Pads in Cubase

Not yet an accomplished keyboard player? Cubase's Chord Pads can come to your rescue'¦ Hollin Jones is on hand to show you this powerful feature in Steinberg's flagship DAW.

5 Creative Ways to Process Synth Pad Sounds in EDM Music

Don't think of pads as fillers in your tracks. With some creative techniques in any DAW you can transform pads from drones into highly interesting and evolving musical parts.

Understanding Compressed Audio File Formats

The state of the audio nation is at a crossroads. With internet bandwidth increasing, we don't need to data compress audio files as much as before. Joe Albano explores quality vs. size.

Music Theory: Learning To Hear Specific Intervals Using Familiar Songs

Following on from the tutorial on techniques for strengthening melody and motif during composition, Jay Asher shows how to identify specific intervals using popular songs.

Music Theory: Building Chords Chromatically Instead of Diatonically

If you've been building chords diatonically i.e. building chords relating to scale or key, then this article by Jay Asher will help you explore chromatic alternatives. A must read music theory piece.

Music Theory: How To Write Memorable Motifs and Melodies

So you're writing melodies and motifs that sound good... how can you improve these? How to make them sound better and work better in your songs? Jay Asher has some advice to share.

How Sound Affects You: Sound Baths

Taking a bath in water (hot is my preference!) is second nature to us all. Every day though we may be bathed in different things like light and also sound. Lynda Arnold explains what a sound bath is.

How Sound Affects Us: Sonic Weapons

Having explored emerging areas of "healing" and "wellness" in her 'How Sound Affects Us' series, Lynda Arnold now explores how sound and vibration can be used to create pain with violent ends in mind.

Music Theory: Ornaments and Embellishments

Ornaments and embellishment techniques are part of the language of every skilled musician or composer. Lynda Arnold explores both in Baroque and Classical in this fascinating music theory article.

4 Ways to Create Musical Moods for Film

If you're even a little interested in how to create moods in your music, for film, games or for any reason, this tutorial is for you. Gary Guttman explores 4 simple ways to add emotion to your notes.

How Sound Affects You: Cymatics, An Emerging Science

It's amazing how much we know about sound and waves and yet how we're only on the cusp of understanding how sound vibrations affect us. In this article, Lynda Arnold explores the science of Cymatics.

Music Theory Tips: What is a Secondary Dominant Chord?

Using secondary dominant chords in your chord progressions can be a quick and easy way to add some spice to your tracks. And, it's easy to do as Lynda Arnold demonstrates.

Music Theory: Arranging Two-Part Chord Progressions

Ever wanted some tips on how to effectively come up with two-part chord progression arrangements? Lynda Arnold cuts through the choices to help you creatively evolve your song.

How Sound Affects You: Toning

Continuing her series on the relationship between sound and health, Lynda Arnold focuses on the instrument we all have'"our voice'"and how it can be used to positive effect.

Music Theory: Making Keyboard Parts More Musical with Chord Inversions

Experienced musician, composer and Logic expert, Jay Asher, shares these excellent tips on how to use chord inversions to make your keyboard parts even more musical.