Real World Music Theory

Parallel or Relative minor?

Music theory can be confusing. Relative & parallel – which is which? And why is "p" the symbol for "relative"? Learn about the interesting backstory here.

Relative Minor and Parallel Minor EXPLAINED

Understanding the concept of relative and parallel keys is a must for any decent musician. Relative minor? Parallel major? These music theory terms are a lot easier than they might seem. Let's learn about relative and parallel keys now. Relative minorExamples are easiest to understand: The relative minor of C

Reharmonize

Reharmonizing Stand by Me (by Ben E. King)

Learn several approaches to reharmonizing this classic song. You can use the techniques I explain for any other song as well.

Songwriting

How a one-note melody became a number one hit

How to turn a one-note melody into a Billboard number one hit? Learn the music theory Toto used in their song Africa. We'll talk about one-note melodies, common chords and expectation vs. deception.

Questions

What is the longest musical chord name?

Did you ever think about the longest chord symbol you could write in music?

Songwriting

How many songs should an album have?

Many artists are wondering about how many songs they should put on their album — 10? 13? 21? 3? Read my advice in this article…

Reharmonize

Mamma Mia (ABBA) - Reharmonized

A cover of Mamma Mia using modal reharmonization techniques. Music theory can be so much fun when applied to ABBA songs :)

Songwriting

The 251 turnaround (aka ii-V-I)

The 251 turnaround is one of the most common chord progression in jazz and pop music. This mini course teaches you its practical applications for songwriting and improvising alike.

Songwriting

Kokomo (Beach Boys) - Analysis

Analyzing a harmonically rich Beach Boys song recently resurfaced through the Netflix series Space Force. Learn the use of plagal cadences and secondary dominants.

Songwriting

Man in the Mirror (Michael Jackson) – Song Analysis

Learn from the music theory in Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror". Understand the chord progressions to use the same tricks in your own songwriting.

Questions

Are minor and diminished chords the same thing?

Is a minor chord essentially equivalent to a diminished chord? What are the commonalities and where do the differences lie?

Questions

Why do sus4 chords include word sus?

Why do you write Csus4 instead of just C4?

Improvise

Solo Like a Pro with the Tritone Substitution

Solo skills can often get stuck on a certain level. Learn about the various ways to use the tritone substitution in your improvisations.

Songwriting

Can’t Stop The Feeling (Justin Timberlake) 2/2 – Song Analysis

Learn the songwriting tricks and music theory used in Justin Timberlake's hit song. This is the final part of the 2-part series.

Songwriting

Can’t Stop The Feeling (Justin Timberlake) 1/2 – Song Analysis

Learn the songwriting tricks and music theory used in Justin Timberlake's hit song.

Songwriting

Blank Space (Taylor Swift) – Song Analysis

Understand the music theory behind the hit song Blank Space. Learn tricks for your own songwriting.

Download

How to Instantly Give Your Songs an Irresistible Touch with the Backdoor Progression (ebook)

Download the free mini ebook about the backdoor progression. Learn how the music theory works and how to use it – with helpful cheat sheets in all 12 keys.

Download

Mamma Mia Reharmonized (Sheet)

Download the chord sheet for my Mamma Mia reharmonization.

Songwriting

Hotline Bling (Drake) - Analysis

Learn the music theory in Hotline Bling: lydian chords, harmonic rhythm, emotional subdominants, tension & resolution and more.