Stuck in a songwriting rut? Tired of playing the same music the same way every time? Music theory can help you break the dam that blocks your creativity. Keep reading for solutions and a handy tool you can use today!
Music theory does not hinder your songwriting abilities. It gives you more tools with which to create.
Tip #1: Get All Up In Your Feelings
Music creates emotions in us. Is the overall emotion behind your song one that brings up nothing but happy feelings? If so, then you’d do better to choose a major key as the “home base” for safe sounds to work with your music. Are you writing another sad love song looking to unbreak your heart? Then go with a minor key to express the darkness, despair, and dread.
Tip #2: Follow the Rules
Did you know there are certain sounds and sound combinations that the human ear goes bonkers for and even expects to hear? The common song elements of the Verse, Chorus, and Bridge excite the ear using very specific chord combinations that lead the listener to invest in your song. If you know the rules of music theory, you’ll be better able to constantly aurally amaze your audience.
Tip #3: Break the Rules
Well, music theory isn’t really a bunch of rules so much as it is more of a system musicians agree on (usually). Once you know the system and common patterns, dig a little deeper and break the rules. If you frequently colored outside the lines, defied authority, and otherwise went against the grain of the majority of your peers, keep breaking the rules (safely)- but in your music. You just have to know how to step outside the guidelines of music theory.
Tip #4: Make It Up
Improvisation means you’re making it up on the spot. You can improv melodies, harmonies, lyrics, and rhythms. In order to improvise, you have to know what’s happening in the music before you just haul off a riff all over the place. Fine-tuning your ear to be an active listener will help you to “know your place” in the song. You gotta listen, Linda! If you know your scales and the key the song is in, you’re halfway there to making up new music combos of your own.
Tip #5: Cover It
Covers save you time (the song already exists) and allow you to explore creative freedoms. While learning a cover, you’re simultaneously learning song structure, chordal arrangements, harmonies, lyric analysis, and more. It all sounds like music theory to me! Good covers take a song you love and make it your own. Make sure you secure the proper licensing!
Now What?
I know you could fill your day doing just about anything, kudos for choosing to read my blog post. For that, I am forever grateful. And to show my gratitude, I’m dropping in with a “you-don’t-wanna-miss-this” online music theory course all about connecting concepts to creativity so you can make better music today- something you’ve been dying to do, right?
With what I share inside this online music theory course for songwriters, you’ll finally stop struggling to:
- Make sense of all those music symbols
- Better communicate with other musicians
- Improve at improv
- Write songs more easily
So by now, you’re likely wondering, “Who is Takenya to eliminate all this horrible pain from my life?”
Glad you asked, buttercup.
You see, I’ve been there done that. I’ve struggled with learning scales, chord progressions, and song analysis and now that I have a proven formula for never experiencing the cycle of uncertainty in songwriting again, I want to share it with a few very lucky action takers so you too can go from confused to confident in your creativity.
Now, there is just one catch … – I only have 10 spots available until January 16. You’re special, which means we can’t have EVERYBODY running around online knowing what you know, right? Plus I want intimately work WITH you and that works best for me in small groups.
Want to finally stop struggling to apply music theory in your songwriting? You’ll find the answer here:
21 Days of Music Theory for Songwriters
Now, if you’re cool with spending late nights searching for the answers with Google, then please don’t click this link. Why? Because this is for action takers who are ready to write better songs today.
See you on the other side,
Takenya