Once you get through the basic music writing section, you’ll have a lot of awesome skills! Now it’s time to refine those skills.
Scroll down to follow along the Intermediate Music Writing path and use the following helpful links if you get stuck, or need a brief change of pace:
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Sign up here
Start discussions about various topics
Upload homework assignments (with visuals and audio)
Ask questions, and engage in general guitar/music theory discussions with other members
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Try asking a question on the latest Office Hours post here.
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Need some encouragement?
I might have a Practice Thought lesson just for you. Check out the series here.
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Looking for some one-on-one lesson time? You can book a private lesson here
Music Theory Monday (7-14)
These lessons explore modes and blues tonality mostly through chord progressions - if you’ve been looking for more exciting sounds and tonality, this section is really useful!
Music Theory Monday | 07
Modes Overview
Music Theory Monday | 11
Mixolydian Mode
Music Theory Monday | 08
Dorian Mode
Music Theory Monday | 12
Blues Tonality
Music Theory Monday | 09
Mode Clarifications
Music Theory Monday | 13
More Blues
Music Theory Monday | 10
Dominant Chords
Music Theory Monday | 14
Phrygian, Mode Mixing, & Repetition
Music Theory Monday (17-19)
These lessons get into more detail about melody making, especially when it comes to building out interesting phrases
Music Theory Monday | 17
Melody Making Basics
Music Theory Monday | 18
Melody Morphs
Music Theory Monday | 19
Melody Arrangement
Rubiks Cube Series
These lessons help you get the hang of playing every kind of 7th chord in every position, useful for practicing the above lessons. If you want to start playing interesting rhythm parts up the neck, this is a great place to start. If it feels too intense, head over to CAGED Basics for a good introduction to chord shapes all over the neck.
Rubiks Cube | 01
D Shape (7 Chords)
Rubiks Cube | 05
E Shape
Rubiks Cube | 02
D Shape Followup
Rubiks Cube| 05
G Shape
Rubiks Cube | 03
C Shape
Rubiks Cube | 06
Applying Shapes To Rhythm Guitar
Rubiks Cube | 04
A Shape
Bass Crash Course
If you’ve been having a lot of fun writing with recording software, this is a great little two part crash course to start playing bass. If you don’t have a bass, it’s still a valuable insight into the tonality of bass lines.
Bass Crash Course | 01
Bass Crash Course | 02
Roles Series
Being in a band and writing music with multiple layers can be challenging - this series talks about writing rhythm and lead parts more deliberately. These lessons will help you ask “what is my job in this situation and how do I do it well?”
Roles | 01
Rhythm Guitar - Introduction
Roles | 02
Rhythm Guitar - Effects & Tonal Complexity
Roles | 03
Rhythm Guitar - Tertiary Rhythm
Roles | 04
Lead Guitar - Melody, Fills, Rhythm, and Static Parts
Congratulations!
Now that you’ve made it through my Intermediate Music Writing collection and have a better understanding of modes, chords shapes, bass guitar, and roles, take some time to consider what topics you’re most interested in pursuing from here.
