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 want to explore Antonio Vivaldi’s music? Vivaldi (1678 – 1741) is best known for his violin concertos. His music is celebrated for its infectious melodies combined with its impressive technical demands. Keep reading to learn about and listen to the top 10 best captivating Vivaldi masterpieces. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Have your music lessons been disrupted by hiccupping students? Do you want to know how to quickly get the hiccups stopped so that you can get your lessons back on track? Hiccups can be really annoying in music lessons because you’re on the clock and the student is getting distracted by “hic, hic, hic.” Keep reading “How to Deal with Annoying Hiccups in Music Lessons” to learn the three most common hiccups treatments so you can get back to teaching music. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Are you clueless about arpeggios? An arpeggio, or broken chord, is a basic musical figuration that’s used in multiple musical genres and playing styles. It adds grace and elegance to your music, allowing you to achieve a lighter and more sophisticated sound. Keep reading “Basic Arpeggios Explained in Less Than Three Minutes” to learn what they are and how they work. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
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.