Discover how to transform a piece of music that is using block chords into a much more engaging presentation with a moving bass line. Taking the opening of the British National Anthem this music composition lesson demonstrates how to...

In this video, we will learn how to create a beautiful "Music Mandala." Follow along as we guide you step by step in drawing a round mandala, incorporating musical elements into your design. Using simple petals and musical notes, you'll...

I've gotten a lot of questions over the last 5 years. Some of them more than others, so today I'm starting an FAQ series. The note names in Western Music seem to be a little off? Why is the key with no sharps or flats C major and not A...

A clever little music composition technique for you to try in your next piece. This music composition lesson begins with a reminder of how to extend triads to 7th chords in the conventional manner. It then goes on to consider an...

In this video, we explore the exciting world of rational numbers and learn how to add them using integer rules. Perfect for 7th graders and anyone looking to strengthen their math skills, this tutorial breaks down the process...

Classical melody writing tricks and music composition techniques. We begin with an exploration of how melody notes must either belong to the harmony or be identified as inessential notes. We then move on to consider how conjunct and...

How to extend basic triads into chords using added 7ths, 9ths, 11ths and 13ths. Having considered how to construct these chords we explore how to use extended chords in four part harmony, discovering which notes we can omit from each...

Many composers are happy to write basic melodies that fit with chords but how do we give a melodic line more identity and elegance? We discover how appoggiaturas can play a significant role. This music composition lesson shows you how...

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star harmonized in four different styles, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th Century. In the first style the melody is presented as a Cantus Firmus in Baroque style with two lower parts added below using Baroque...

Learn how to write three-part counterpoint. This music composition lesson presents a short musical idea and demonstrates how to evolve it into an extended passage of three part counterpoint. The characteristics of the initial idea are...

What does pandiatonicism mean in music? How did pandiatonicism come about and which composers used it? This music theory lesson explains pandiatonicism, ‘pan’ meaning ‘all’ and ‘diatonic’ meaning inside a key. Examples are explored which...

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...

Learn how to create melodies from chord progressions. We start with a set of chords in four-part harmony and find notes which fit the progression before going on to add melodic variation and input some non-harmonic tones. This music...

Minor key harmony can be very complicated. Many people are reasonably happy about choosing chords to harmonize a melody in a major key but minor keys present particular challenges, especially when trying to figure out your way around the...

How does Chopin create and express emotion in his music? We delve into the mind of the composer and explore Chopin’s Nocturne in G minor, explaining how Chopin delivers emotional impact through his approach to harmony, melodic...

How to recognize written chords in sheet music. This music theory lesson will help you understand how to look at a chord and know what chord is written. By the end of this lesson, you will have a good understanding of how to identify...

Understand augmented 6th chords, how to identify and use them in both major and minor keys. augmented 6ths fall into a category known as chromatic chords. They add colour, variety, an element of unpredictability, and tension to music. So...

What makes a diminished 7th chord and how do we use it best? In this music theory lesson you will discover exactly what a diminished 7th chord is, how to construct a diminished 7th, and how to locate a diminished 7th in the context of a...

This composer insights lesson shows how Elgar creates a picture of innocent and passionate love at this significant moment in his life and explores the opening of Elgar’s “Salut d’Amour”, written as his engagement gift to his intended...

You may be familiar with modulating to a different key using a pivot chord but can you modulate using a pivot note? Use this modulation technique to modulate to more extreme keys. When Baroque composers first ventured into the realms of...

This music composition lesson presents four bars of repeated notes at the top and bottom of the texture. He then explains how to harmonise all the repeated notes, generating an engaging range of harmonic colour and well structured...

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...

How to write syncopated rhythms. Syncopated rhythms add a great deal of interest and character to a piece of music but when should we write them and how do we write them. This music composition lesson shows two very different musical...

When you look at a rhythm how good are you at identifying the time signature that most appropriately fits it? How do you know if a rhythm should be in 6/8 or in 3/4, especially when the notes in any given bar add up to the same...