Theory & Songwriting
Music theory and songwriting craft — chords, scales, song structure, melody and lyrics.
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How to Write a Verse for a Song
Learn how to write a verse for a song: its job, lyrics, melody and chords, and how to lead naturally…
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Borrowed Chords Explained: Modal Mixture for Songwriters
Borrowed chords explained for songwriters: how modal mixture pulls chords from the parallel minor to add colour, with clear note-by-note…
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What Is a Secondary Dominant Chord?
A secondary dominant explained simply: a borrowed V chord that temporarily points at a chord other than the tonic, with…
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What Are Suspended Chords (Sus2 and Sus4)?
Suspended chords explained: how sus2 and sus4 chords replace the third to create open, unresolved tension, with clear note-by-note examples…
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How to Use Rhyme in Songwriting
A practical guide to rhyme schemes in songwriting: perfect vs slant rhyme, common patterns like AABB and ABAB, and how…
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How to Write a Melody for Your Lyrics
Learn how to write a melody for lyrics by matching natural speech rhythm, stressing the right syllables and shaping phrases.…
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What Is the Nashville Number System?
The Nashville number system explained: write chord progressions as numbers instead of letters so you can transpose any song to…
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How to Arrange a Song From Start to Finish
Learn how to arrange a song from start to finish: structure, instrumentation, dynamics and arrangement layers. A practical step-by-step process…
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Melody vs Harmony: What’s the Difference?
Melody vs harmony explained simply: melody is the single line you hum, harmony is the chords supporting it. Clear examples…
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How to Write a Melody Over Chords
Learn how to write a melody over chords using chord tones, passing notes and rhythm. A step-by-step process for songwriters…