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
![I’d Like to Know the Meaning of the Word Cadence [Video] - Triangle](https://successmusicstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Id-Like-to-Know-the-Meaning-of-the-Word-Cadence-Video-Triangle-1024x576.jpg)
“I’d like to know the meaning of the word cadence. How does it differ in language vs music?” Candence in music and language both have to do with regulating the flow of sound. However, even though the definitions are related, they’re not the same. Keep reading to learn more. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
I’d Like to Know the Meaning of the Word Cadence [Video] Read More »
Do you love the “Star Wars” soundtrack and want to understand it better? Are you a budding composer and want to understand leitmotifs and how to write them? It doesn’t matter if you’re a composer or just a fan, exploring the music themes and leitmotifs of “Star Wars” will be a rewarding experience. Read more to understand themes and leitmotifs, and to get indexed lists of each theme and where it occurs within the film. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.
Exploring the Music Themes and Leitmotifs of Star Wars Read More »
Do you want to know how song structure, musical phrases, musical structures and forms work? Musical structures and forms in instrumental music works differently than popular song structure. However, motifs and musical phrases works pretty much the same in either type of writing. In this post, we’ll talk about all that plus the difference between motifs and leitmotifs. Read more to get music structure examples for both songwriting and instrumental music. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.
Song Structure, Musical Phrases, Musical Structures and Forms Read More »
Do you want to understand how music works? Studying music theory is a worthwhile experience that’ll deepen your understanding of music and enhance your creativity. Where should you begin? In this post, you’ll learn what the basics of music theory are and be given the resources to learn them. Keep reading “How Can I Learn the Basics of Music Theory” to start your musical journey today. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
How Can I Learn the Basics of Music Theory? Read More »
“How do I write a song that actually sounds good?” Whether you’re a songwriter or a lyric writer, it’s a challenge to create a song that sounds good. However, the following songwriting tips and links will help you make a song that you’ll love. Keep reading to get the tips. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
How Do I Write a Song That Actually Sounds Good? Read More »
Do you want to learn how to make your own songs? Do you need help with your lyrics? There are many different song forms, and not all of them use a chorus. However, the verse/chorus form is one of the most popular. Songwriters and lyric writers both will find this post helpful. Keep reading to learn how to write a song with a catchy chorus. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
How to Write a Song with a Catchy Chorus (Including Lyrics) Read More »
Do your eyes cross when you try to figure out Roman Numeral analysis? Roman numerals are broadly used to analyze chords in songs. However, you’ll use some Roman numerals to specifically describe harmonies in minor keys. Read more to find out the answer to, “What’s the deal with these i-VII-VI-V and iv-V-VII chords and stuff?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
What’s the Deal with These i-VII-VI-V and iv-V-VII Chords and Stuff? (Part 4) Read More »
Do the Roman numerals used to analyze music make your eyes cross? Do you want someone to explain how it works? Roman numeral analysis might seem a bit cryptic. However, it can be really useful once you understand it. Read more answer the question, “What exactly does I7-vi7-V7, I-iii-IV-I, and IV-V-I-V mean?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
What Exactly Does I7-vi7-V7, I-iii-IV-I, and IV-V-I-V Mean? (Part 3) Read More »
Are you confused about the difference between the root and the tonic in music theory? Some musicians treat the terms root and tonic as if they were interchangeable. However, they have different, but equally important roles in music theory. Click to learn the difference between the tonic vs. root in music theory. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Tonic vs. Root in Music Theory: Are They the Same Thing? (Part 2) Read More »
“Can someone explain Roman Numeral Analysis in layman’s terms for me?” The Roman numerals you see in music might seem arcane. However, once you get a handle on them, they can really help your understanding of music. Click to have the secrets of music theory explained in simple terms. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
Can Someone Explain Roman Numeral Analysis in Layman’s Terms for Me? (Part 1) Read More »