Music Theory articles
The rules behind the songs you already like — scales, modes, diatonic chords, sevenths and substitutions — explained one step at a time, with examples you can play.
- Music Theory6 min read
What Is Tritone Substitution And How To Use It
Tritone substitution explained: what it is, how to find the substitute dom7 chord fast, and how to use Sub V7 in secondary dominants and 2-5-1 progressions.
9 February 2023
- Music Theory8 min read
Finding Chords In A Scale: Intro To Diatonic Chords
Learn what diatonic chords are and how to find the triads, sus chords and 7th chords in any major or minor scale by stacking thirds, with worked examples.
24 December 2022
- Music Theory9 min read
What Are Dominant 7th Chords And 11 Ways Of Using Them In Progressions
Dominant 7th chords explained: how the chord is built, why its tritone demands resolution, and 11 ways to use dom7 chords in your own chord progressions.
11 November 2022
- Music Theory7 min read
What is Harmonic Minor And How To Make Music With It
What the harmonic minor scale is, why the raised 7th was invented, every diatonic triad and tetrachord it contains, and chord progressions that use them.
5 August 2022
- Music Theory7 min read
Beginner's Guide To Diminished Chords | Part 1- What is a diminished chord?
What a diminished chord is, how to build diminished triads, half-diminished and full-diminished 7th chords, and why only three full-diminished chords exist.
12 June 2022
- Music Theory6 min read
Roman Numeral Notation Of Chords
A beginner's guide to roman numeral notation of chords: what I, ii, ♭III and vii° mean, why we number chords, and how to read a progression in any key.
7 June 2022
- Music Theory9 min read
Beginner's Guide To Modes In Music | Part 3: Using Modes In Songs
How to use modes in your songs: diatonic chords of every mode, modal interchange, modal melodies, modal cadences and full modal compositions, with examples.
29 January 2022
- Music Theory8 min read
Beginner's Guide To Modes In Music | Part 2: The Source Of Their Sound
Where the sound of each mode comes from: tonic triads, major and minor quality, and the characteristic note that gives Dorian, Phrygian and Lydian flavour.
19 January 2022
- Music Theory10 min read
Beginner's Guide To Modes In Music | Part 1: The Very Basics
Learn what modes in music are, how the seven modes of the major scale are built and named, and how relative modes and parallel modes differ, with examples.
17 January 2022
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