The Western term for music comes from the Greeks. The ancient Greeks thought that the arts were inspired by a collection of nine gods called the Muses.
This is understandable, because when a songwriter creates a song, it can feel as if it has come from an outside source. However, it has really come from the intuitive part of the songwriter’s brain.
The idea in mythology was that the Muses channeled creative ideas to singers and instrumental performers, and they in turn created their art.
On the other hand, some cultures lack an equivalent word for music. For instance, in some parts of the world the word for singing remains the same as the word for praying.
For most of the world’s history, songs have been about more than just entertainment. It helped pull people together and bind them as a community. It would be hard to imagine a church service, sporting event, or school rally without songs.
Songs have often had important roles in life cycle events: births, deaths, seasonal songs, coming of age, work songs, and holidays.
Composers and songwriters sculpt sound into compositions. In Western culture, we usually view it as entertainment. This mostly likely results from the structure of free market societies, which always looks for ways to monetize products and services.
The Music Archive includes posts on different ways of learning to sing, play instruments, and compose. However, the list below focuses on songwriting posts.
Songwriting Posts on Melody and Harmony Composition:
See the posts below for full descriptions.
– Geoffrey Keith
© 2022 Geoffrey Keith
Do you have a tough time playing the B minor guitar chord? Are you frustrated and need some help? B minor is one of the most awkward guitar chords to play. However, there are some tricks that can help you master it. Keep reading “How to Play the Frustrating B Minor Guitar Chord” to learn how to best play the three most popular versions. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Curious to learn about Chopin’s music? Frederic Chopin (1810 – 1849) was a classical composer who wrote during the Romantic period (1820 – 1910). He’s best known for his hypnotic piano music. Keep reading to learn about and listen to the top 10 best enchanting Chopin masterpieces. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
Do you want to know the best way to practice with a metronome? Do you want to know what a metronome even is? A metronome is one of the best practice tools invented for musicians, because it helps you play with a steady beat. Nothing will make you sound like a professional faster than playing with a steady beat, and nothing will make you sound terrible faster than playing with a choppy beat. Keep reading “The 5 Best Effortlessly Easy Metronome Practice Tips” to learn how to play with a steady beat. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Are you confused about what an octave is? Or are you a music teacher with a student that doesn’t understand how they work? Octaves are one of the most fundamental music theory concepts. When teaching music students, it helps to demonstrate them on a keyboard instrument, so I’ve created a keyboard diagram you can reference. Keep reading “How to Explain an Octave to an Absolute Beginner Musician?” to dive into the theory. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Do you want to learn the easiest beginner guitar chords? Once we’ve talked about what makes a chord simple to play, you’ll learn them in progressively more challenging stages. In each stage, you’ll have links to songs that you can play using the easy versions. Keep reading “What Are the Best Easy Guitar Chords for Beginners to Learn?” to start mastering guitars chords. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
Do you want to hear the top classical music pieces? Western classical music has become an international music resource enjoyed by millions around the world. However, your average person on the street may only know the names of a few composers and just a handful of compositions. Keep reading “The Top 10 Best Iconic Classical Music Compositions” to introduce yourself to the world of classical music. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
Do you want to know how to orchestrate music for both orchestra and rock ensembles? Writing for multiple instruments is all about balancing their sound. Because of this, this post will go heavy on videos. Keep reading “How to Orchestrate Enchanting and Powerful Music” to learn how to create effective musical arrangements. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
Are you frustrated because music theory seems to be filled with arcane and unreachable knowledge? While learning music theory can present challenges for musicians with learning disabilities, it is possible to dispel the mystery surrounding how music works. Keep reading “How to Learn Music Theory with a Learning Disability” for study tips and music theory resources. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Do you want to know what are the best free music notations apps? In our modern web-based world, there are many software options to choose from. They can help both novices and experts create professional looking scores. Keep reading “The 5 Best Free Music Notation Apps” to help you choose from the wide variety of free music notation software. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Would you like to know more about Beethoven’s music but are a busy person? Ludwig van Beethoven is a titanic figure in classical music. Along with Bach and Mozart, Beethoven is one of the composers you’re really going to want to check out. Keep reading to explore Beethoven’s beautiful music in less than four minutes. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.