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
“What does the word tempo mean?” The tempo is critical for interpreting a piece of music. However, it’s a somewhat overlooked aspect of playing. Keep reading “What Is the Basic Idea of Tempo in Music?” to learn more about what it is and how it works. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
“Can somebody please help me understand these stupid triads?” Triads are one of the foundations of Western music theory (along with melody, rhythm, counterpoint, and orchestration). Understanding them will unlock your ability to both appreciate and write music. Keep reading “An Easy How to Guide to Understanding Triads” to learn how they work. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.
“What exactly is a ballad and how do you write one?” Ballads have been around for a long time but remain a popular song form to this day. Keep reading to get the definition and some expert advice for writing your song. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Do you want to know how to play the easy beginner guitar F chord without a barre? Learning F on the guitar has long been a rite of passage for guitarists. Why? The barre makes it difficult to play, keeping many beginner guitarists from being able to play many otherwise simple songs. Keep reading to learn how to play the easy F chord on guitar. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
“I’m confused about what precisely D.S. al Coda means.” This marking is part of a class of music notation called “signs of repetition.” Some of the more advanced signs of repetition can be confusing, including this one. Keep reading to find out how it works. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Would you like to know more about Handel’s music, but are too busy to devote a lot of time to it? Handel is a major composer from the baroque period. Best known for the iconic Messiah oratorio, he influenced composers as diverse as Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Chopin. Keep reading to explore Handel’s captivating music in less than four minutes. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
“What’s the secret of practicing arpeggios?” Arpeggios are both an important playing technique and a useful compositional device. They can add a flowing grace to your playing. Keep reading to learn more. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
“What exactly do I do with the circle of fifths?” The circle of fifths chart organizes musical keys and modes. Also, it helps you understand the relationships in music, making various tasks easier. Keep reading to learn more. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Do you want to know Mozart and his music but not take a ton of time? Mozart, along with Bach and Beethoven, is in an elite category of classical composers. If your average person on the street knowns any name in classical music, it’s probably one of those three. Keep reading to explore Mozart’s enchanting music in less than four minutes. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Are you unclear about what harmony is? Do you want to know how it works? Harmony is a major subcategory of music theory that helps musicians to understand how notes should go together. This in turn impacts how they arrange their music. Keep reading “What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean?” to learn how it works. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.