Beyond Music Theory
UnderholdningThe main goal is to produce content that helps you in your creative journey of making your own music! You will either find case study episodes and listen to how each song grows as I go through my music composition process; or episodes about music theory tips for songwriters, tools and other creative strategies to keep your music flowing.
Siste episoder av Beyond Music Theory podcast
- Melody, Bass and Your Groove 🎵 [Instrument Role Mapping] (00:07:40)
Every arrangement begins with a decision: Which instrument does what? In this video, I break down how “Role Mapping” lets melody, bass, and rhythm sections break their default ruts.Like, subscribe, and share your thoughts below!*COURSES* 🔥 Mastering the Art of Harmonizing Melodies - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/IN1ic🔥 Creating Unique Chord Progressions - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/QNxZY🔥 The Creative Process - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/DhXQL*FIND ME ON*🎵 Private Online Lessons - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/coaching/📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/5rWG🎵 Online Music Courses - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/ 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/blog/00:00 - Intro00:24 - Common Ruts and Why It Matters01:35 - The Practical Shift04:31 - Step-by-Step: Make It Work For You05:35 - Closing Thoughts06:25 - Full Example*FEEDSPOT FEATURED LISTS – THE BEST MUSIC THEORY BLOGS AND PODCASTS*https://bloggers.feedspot.com/music_theory_blogs/https://podcast.feedspot.com/music_theory_podcasts/#musiccomposition #musicproduction #groove #basslines #creativeprocess #songwritingprocess #musictheory
- Bright vs. Dark in Music: How to Boost Your Song’s Emotional Impact (00:09:01)
Learn how brightness and darkness shape your music’s emotion. Discover simple but powerful music theory tricks—from chords to melodies—that bring your compositions to life. Like, subscribe, and share your thoughts below!*COURSES* 🔥 Mastering the Art of Harmonizing Melodies - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/IN1ic🔥 Creating Unique Chord Progressions - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/QNxZY🔥 The Creative Process - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/DhXQL*FIND ME ON*🎵 Private Online Lessons - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/coaching/📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/5rWG🎵 Online Music Courses - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/ 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/blog/00:00 - Intro00:43 - Brightness in Music02:21 - Modal Brightness Perception03:07 - Brightness Perception Between Modes in Different Keys04:20 - Moving Through the Circle of Fifths Using Modal Thinking05:30 - Melodic Sequences and Voice Movement To Emphasize Brightness06:52 - From Theory to Expression07:44 - Full Music Example*FEEDSPOT FEATURED LISTS – THE BEST MUSIC THEORY BLOGS AND PODCASTS*https://bloggers.feedspot.com/music_theory_blogs/https://podcast.feedspot.com/music_theory_podcasts/ #musictheory #musiccomposition #musicmood #musictips #createmusic #musictheory #modalmusic #songwritingtips #musiceducation
- How to Harmonize Melodies with Freedom [Breaking the Rules] (00:08:23)
Unlock modern harmonic possibilities and learn how to harmonize melodies with freedom — Step-by-step examples show you how to break free from traditional key boundaries. Great for composers and improvisers of any style.*COURSES* 🔥 Mastering the Art of Harmonizing Melodies - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/IN1ic *FIND ME ON* 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/blog/🎵 Online Lessons - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/coaching/🎵 Online Music Courses - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/5rWG #harmonization #musiccomposition #reharmonization #musiceducation #beyondmusictheory #musician #creativeprocess #composingmusic #musiccreativity
- Modulate Like a Pro: How a Reference Note Unlocks New Keys (00:06:40)
Discover a music composition technique using a reference note to filter your harmonic and modal choices - developing creative freedom through self-imposed limitations and tonal exploration.**SUPPORTING LINKS**Darkest to Brightest Modes - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/darkest-to-brightest-modes/Modal Harmony - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/modal-harmony/**COURSES** 🔥 The Creative Process - Organizing Musical Ideas and Sounds - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/DhXQL🔥 Creating Unique Chord Progressions - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/QNxZY🔥 Mastering the Art of Harmonizing Melodies - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/IN1ic**FIND ME ON** 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/blog/🎵 Online Lessons - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/coaching/🎵 Online Music Courses - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/5rWG **FEEDSPOT FEATURED LISTS – THE BEST MUSIC THEORY BLOGS AND PODCASTS** https://bloggers.feedspot.com/music_theory_blogs/https://podcast.feedspot.com/music_theory_podcasts/ https://podcast.feedspot.com/music_composition_podcasts/ #musiccomposition #modaltheory #creativeconstraints #beyondmusictheory #musiccreativity #musiccompositiotechniques #musiceducation
- Make More Music With Less: Work Smarter, Not Harder (00:11:42)
What if you didn’t need more ideas—just better ways to develop the ones you already have? Let this inspire your own writing process. How to Develop Your Musical Ideas - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/how-to-develop-your-musical-ideas/COURSES 🔥 Mastering the Art of Harmonizing Melodies - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/IN1ic🔥 Creating Unique Chord Progressions - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/QNxZY FIND ME ON🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/blog/🎵 Online Lessons - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/coaching/🎵 Online Music Courses - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/5rWG 00:00 - Intro00:20 - The Reasons You Should Do It01:24 - Variations on a Melodic / Rhythmic Motif02:40 - Simplifying an Idea04:00 - Reusing Motifs in Different Sections04:48 - Developing a Motif05:50 - Reharmonizing Parts07:07 - More Ideas07:40 - Final Throughts 08:48 - Full Track + Guitar PlaythroughFEEDSPOT FEATURED LISTS – THE BEST MUSIC THEORY BLOGS AND PODCASTShttps://bloggers.feedspot.com/music_theory_blogs/https://podcast.feedspot.com/music_theory_podcasts/https://podcast.feedspot.com/music_composition_podcasts/ #MusicComposition #SongwritingTips #ComposingMusic #MusicTheory #MelodicDevelopment #ArrangementTips #CreativeProcess #BeyondMusicTheory #MusicianLife
- Spice Up Your Music With These Chromatic Harmony Techniques (00:13:44)
Learn how to create rich chromatic harmony using borrowed chords, secondary dominants, and smooth voice-leading. A hands-on guide to adding surprise and color to your music! HarmonicSOS – Jump-Start Your Chord Progressions From Scratch! -https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/jump-start-your-chord-progressions-from-scratch/COURSES🔥Mastering the Art of Harmonizing Melodies -https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/IN1ic🔥Creating Unique Chord Progressions -https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/QNxZYFIND ME ON🔥 BeyondMusic Theory Blog - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/blog/🎵 OnlineLessons - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/coaching/🎵 OnlineMusic Courses - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/📚 BeyondMusic Theory eBook - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/5rWGFEEDSPOT FEATUREDLISTS – THE BEST MUSIC THEORY BLOGS AND PODCASTShttps://bloggers.feedspot.com/music_theory_blogs/https://podcast.feedspot.com/music_theory_podcasts/https://podcast.feedspot.com/music_composition_podcasts/#ChromaticHarmony#MusicTheory #CompositionTips #VoiceLeading #JazzHarmony#Harmonization #BorrowedChords #SecondaryDominants#BeyondFunctionalHarmony #ModernHarmony
- Harmonic SOS - Jump-Start Chord Progressions From Scratch! (00:12:59)
Feeling stuck with creating chord progressions? Discover simple strategies to kickstart your creativity using tried-and-true common-chord progressions.Find me on: 🔥 BeyondMusic Theory Blog - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/blog/ 🎵 OnlineLessons - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/coaching/ 🎵 OnlineMusic Courses - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/ 📚 BeyondMusic Theory eBook - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/5rWG References:🔥Chord Substitutions -https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/chord-substitutions/🔥Harmonic Cadences -https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/harmonic-cadences/🔥Secondary Dominants -https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/secondary-dominants/🔥Dominant Chord Substitutions -https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/dominant-chord-substitutions/
- Even More Tips for Writing Ambient Chord Progressions (00:10:03)
Take your ambient chord progressions to the next level! In this video, we’ll explore the power of chord inversions, drones, evolving ideas, and more to create deep, evolving soundscapes. Watch Ambient Chord Video Series here:Create Stunning Ambient Chords With These Simple Techniqueshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Kx5dXzWnQMore Tips For Writing Ambient Chord Progressions - Part Ihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCMpLMbWwb0Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/blog/🎵 Private Online Lessons - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/coaching/🎵 Online Music Courses - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook - https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/5rWG00:00 - Intro00:24 - Chord Inversions02:41 - Another Technique for Harmonic colors and Moods04:35 - Using Drones and Other Repeating Elements06:25 - Ideas That Evolve Over Time09:26 - Outro#musictheory #ambientmusic #chordprogressions #musiccomposition #musicproduction #creativechords #musictips #atmosphericmusic #soundscapes #harmonytips
- Tips for Writing Ambient Chord Progressions - Part I (00:09:18)
Learn how slow changes, colorful chords, and voice-leading can make your ambient chord progressions more immersive, expressive and captivating!Find me on:🔥Beyond Music Theory Blog🎵Online Lessons🎵Online Music Courses📚Beyond Music Theory eBook#MusicTheory #AmbientMusic #ChordProgressions #MusicComposition #MusicProduction #CreativeChords #MusicTips #AtmosphericMusic #Soundscapes #HarmonyTips
- Harmonize Melodies by Thinking in Color (00:10:17)
Discover how to harmonize melodies with chord and modal colors for deeper emotional impact and creative harmonic textures – tips to elevate your harmonization skills! Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog 🎵 Private Online Lessons 🎵 Online Music Courses 📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook 📚 Mastering the Art of Harmonizing Melodies Reference Links: - The Diatonic Modes- Modal Harmony - Modal Modulation 00:00 Intro 00:41 Harmonic Color 03:05 Intentionality 03:58 Colors and a Case for Modal Modulation 07:57 Considerations for Chord Extensions and Modal Chords 09:14 Final Thoughts #MelodyHarmonization #ChordColors #ModalHarmony #MusicTips #MusicComposition #CreativeHarmonization #ComposerTips
- Create Stunning Ambient Chords With These Simple Techniques (00:13:48)
Learn how to create stunning ambient chords exploring different chord voicings, extensions, pedal notes, all while adding movement and atmosphere to your music Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog 🎵 Online Lessons 🎵 Online Music Courses 📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook 00:00 - Intro 00:36 - Know Your Chords 01:28 - Chord Voicings and Connection 04:02 - Exploring Chord Extensions Through Voice Movement 07:52 - Using Pedal Notes for Dissonance and Connection 10:16 - Adding Subtle Textures and Movement 13:09 - Final Thoughts #MusicTheory #AmbientChords #ChordProgressions #MusicComposition #AtmosphericMusic #MusicProduction #HarmonyTips #CreativeChords
- Struggling With Odd Time Feel? Here's How to Nail it in 4/4 (00:08:11)
I’ll be showing you how to use a 4/4 time signature to mimic the feel of odd meters by rethinking rhythmic structures and more... Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog 🎵 Online Lessons 🎵 Online Music Courses 📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook
- A polytonal Approach to Chromatic Harmonies and Melodies (00:08:22)
Using the chromatic scale to create music can be very off-putting as there are too many approach possibilities. Let's explore it using a polytonal approach and harness the power of the chromatic scale. Connecting Sections in your music arrangements: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fVQNOnTYtI Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog 🎵 Online Lessons 🎵 Online Music Courses 📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook Supporting Links: 📚 https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/polytonality-and-polymodality/ 📚 https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/how-to-use-polychords-in-your-music/ 📚 https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/polymodal-chromaticism/ 📚 https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/modal-interchange/ 📚 https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/symmetric-scales/ 📚 https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/the-diatonic-modes/
- Strategic Use of Out-of-Key Chords (00:06:23)
Today I’m going to talk about the importance of planning where to use your out-of-key materials, in this case, harmonic materials. 🎵 Mastering The Art Of Harmonizing Melodies – https://courses.beyondmusictheory.org/b/IN1ic Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog 🎵 Online Lessons 🎵 Online Music Courses 📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook Supporting Links: 📚 - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/dominant-chord-substitutions/ 📚 - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/secondary-dominants/ 📚 - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/chromatic-harmony/ 📚 - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/chromatic-approach-chords/ 📚 - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/8-practical-ways-of-using-parallel-chord-motion-in-your-music/ 📚 - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/harmonic-ambiguity-and-the-flexibility-of-suspended-chords/ 📚 - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/harmonic-creativity-the-role-of-bass-in-voice-leading-exploration/ 📚 - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/how-to-harmonize-a-melody/
- Using Modal Layering for Harmonic and Melodic Surprises (00:08:43)
I’m going to show you how you can create surprising harmonic landscapes by using a technique called modal layering. Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog 🎵 Online Lessons 🎵 Online Music Courses 📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook Supporting Links: 📚 Intervals - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/intervals/ 📚 Chords by Fourths and Fifths - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/chords-by-fourths-and-fifths/ 📚 Pentatonic Scales - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/the-pentatonic-major-and-minor-scales/ 📚 Diatonic Modes - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/the-diatonic-modes/ 📚 Modes of the Melodic - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/the-melodic-minor-scale-and-modes/ 📚 Parallel Harmony - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/parallel-harmonic-movement/ 📚 Polymodality - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/polytonality-and-polymodality/
- Connecting Sections in Your Musical Arrangements (00:05:57)
Today we are going to look at a couple of ways of connecting sections of your musical arrangement. Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog 🎵 Online Lessons 🎵 Online Music Courses 📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook
- Avoiding Ostinato Boredom (00:04:56)
Creating different musical contexts to keep your ostinato sections interesting and fresh. 📚 Ostinatos - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/ostinatos/ 📚 Modal Mixture - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/modal-mixture/ 🔥🎵 Nexus (new music video) - https://youtu.be/VyZ-16b6fHk Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog 🎵 Online Lessons 🎵 Online Music Courses 📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook
- A Practical Guide to Music Expression (00:37:54)
A Guide to Music Expression Introduction: In this short online course you will look into ways of giving meaning to your music by using the musical elements according to your intentions. The Elements of Music: A step by step guide through the elements of music and how they can be applied in practice. Case Study #1: An example of how the management of the music elements can be used creatively to make music Case Study #2: A more in depth example of how the management of the music elements can be used to bring forth your ideas. ---- - Alternatively, you can also follow this course using YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJHMyllLz98&list=PLZ7DSIOUVRVyEOfgzOEkUW7yzWV7KIhkE Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog 🎵 Online Lessons 🎵 Online Music Courses 📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook
- Chromatic Mediants and Metric Modulation (00:10:10)
Today we will be looking at an example of how chromatic mediant relationships can sound by creating unexpected harmonies and also some tips on things you can do with rhythm to surprise your listeners. Suggested links: - Chromatic Mediants - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/chromatic-mediants/ - Metric Modulation - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/metric-modulation/ - Scales Harmonization - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/scales-harmonization/ - Block Chords - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/block-chords-motion/ Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog 🎵 Online Lessons 🎵 Online Music Courses 📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook
- Tips to Create Chord Progressions (00:07:26)
In this episode we will be looking at some tips that you can use to create chord progressions and start making your next song. I also did a little bit of that, as you will listen throughout the episode. It was the result of mirroring technique, diatonic and chromatic voice-leading all put together using common chord progressions and changing them a little bit so it’s not more of the same. Supporting Links: 1. Intervals - https://beyondmusictheory.wordpress.com/2019/10/25/intervals/ 2. Chord Formation - https://beyondmusictheory.wordpress.com/2019/11/09/chord-formations-triads-and-tetrads/ 3. Scales Harmonization - https://beyondmusictheory.wordpress.com/2019/12/16/scales-harmonization/ 4. Chord Connections and Voice-Leading - https://beyondmusictheory.wordpress.com/2020/01/16/chord-connection-and-voice-leading/ Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog 🎵 Online Lessons 🎵 Online Music Courses 📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook
- How to Use Polychords in Your Music (00:06:03)
In this episode I will be showing you different ways of using tonal and chromatic material to build polychord structures. Polychords can be used as single or separate chord structures. Learn some of the ways in which you can use them in your music. Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog 🎵 Online Lessons 🎵 Online Music Courses 📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook
- 8 Practical Ways of Using Parallel Chord Motion in your Music (00:06:01)
In this episode, I will be proposing eight ways that you can use this technique. Each has a different feel of vibe so you will have to choose depending on the harmonic effect you are going for. This particular harmonic technique consists in moving a chord or a harmonic interval and maintain the relative distance between pitches, or put another way, it’s when all the voices of a chord move in the same direction. It can be used to connect with a more important chord or to thicken a melodic line. Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog 🎵 Online Lessons 🎵 Online Music Courses 📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook
- Where Do Musical Ideas Come From (00:07:00)
Hello and welcome! In today’s episode, I’ll be approaching a question that will always be open for debate as each and every one of us listens to and thinks about music differently. Nonetheless, all boils down to a musician’s ability of hearing sounds in its head. And the questions is: Where do musical ideas come from? Supporting Links: - Audiation - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_music_learning_theory#Audiation - How Music Theory is (Not) Killing Your Creativity - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/how-music-is-not-killing-your-creativity/ - Why Copy and Steal From Music - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/why-copy-and-steal-from-music/ - The Importance of Planning Your Musical Compositions - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/the-importance-of-planning-your-musical-compositions/ Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog 🎵 Online Lessons 🎵 Online Music Courses 📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook
- What to do With Modal Interchange (00:05:28)
In this post we will be looking at some practical uses for modal interchange. First of all, what is it? This is a technique that consists in temporarily borrowing chords from a parallel tonality or mode that shares the same root without abandoning the established key. If any of these concepts sound unfamiliar to you, check out the links in the description that will take you to the appropriate blog entry: - Types of Modulation - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/types-of-modulation/ - Diatonic Modes - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/the-diatonic-modes/ - Chord Transformations - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/chord-transformations/ - Symmetric Scales - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/symmetric-scales/ Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog 🎵 Online Lessons 🎵 Online Music Courses 📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook
- How to Use Quartal Harmony in Your Music (00:05:21)
In this episode, I will be telling you what quartal harmony is and how you can use it in your music. I will also be looking at the melody harmonization process with these chords and explore some ideas for it. As usual, below are links for supporting posts in case you are not following the approached concepts in this episode: - Chords by Fourths and Fifths - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/chords-by-fourths-and-fifths/ - Harmonic Ambiguity - https://www.beyondmusictheory.org/harmonic-ambiguity/ Find me on: 🔥 Beyond Music Theory Blog 🎵 Online Lessons 🎵 Online Music Courses 📚 Beyond Music Theory eBook