Music Theory for Songwriters

Learning how to use compound intervals is a great way to spice up your chord progressions and melodies.

The problem is that most songwriters’ and producers’ free spirits feel shot down at any mention of music theory.

However, it’s pretty simple to grasp when it comes to the concept of a compound interval. Understanding intervals is crucial to understanding the relationship between notes and getting the most out of your song production.

Modal scales are an essential part of your songwriting. They can have a dramatic impact on the mood and feeling of your song, as well as how listeners interpret it. 

There are many types of modes that can be used to create various moods for songs.

However, most musicians don’t know how to use modes or scales in their songwriting. Even if they do, it can be challenging to remember which one is best for each situation.

As a songwriter, It is hard to create a great melody if you don’t know how to use rhythm.

Rhythm is the foundation of all songs. Understanding the “musical math” will help you choose the right groove to ensure that your music connects with your listener. However, when writing your own songs, you can hit significant roadblocks when you blindly apply rhythm to your music, especially when trying to record.

Understanding rhythm when writing your melodies or groove will elevate and bring life to your music. However, rhythm can be intimidating at first because it can feel like you’re in a math lesson, but the basics are actually quite simple.

One of the most essential ingredients to any song is melody. A melody can make or break a song. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that so much great music gets written with the pentatonic scale.

The pentatonic scale lends itself well to improvisation and experimentation. When you use this particular scale, it’s difficult to choose a wrong note or sound bad while playing it.

You must understand the power of the pentatonic scale so you can use it to make better music.