Before we begin:
Tired of forgetting progressions a week after you learn them?
This video shows you the exact 4-step system that makes them stick for good.
Watch here â
Hey music maker!
I was reading YouTube comments on one of my videos last week.
Someone wrote: "Usually these quick-hack videos don't help a musician's long-term development, but this one is 100% on point, everybody should do this." That comment got a bunch of likes.
Another person said, "Man, this is so real. The moment I started recognizing patterns and studying like this, I had a huge, very huge improvement in my musical experience."
The video was about learning harmony through patterns instead of rules. Focusing less on theory and more on feeling.
A lot of people learn music backward.
They start with theory: intervals, key signatures, and voice leading rules. Taking the approach of memorizing a bunch of chords before they've felt what it describes.
Some theory helps you get started, such as learning a few chord shapes and understanding how they connect.
But the best musicians lead with feeling.
They know what sounds like "home" and what pulls you forward. They recognize when a chord gives them chills, leading them to make that stank face that weâre all familiar with. They might not know it's a borrowed chord from another key. But they know it works because they know what feeling theyâre looking for.
You've been internalizing music your whole life, so you already know harmony.
But you just might not have words for it yet.
đĄ IDEA OF THE WEEK: Thinking in Rhythm
Maurice White always started from rhythm when creating Earth, Wind & Fire's records. He called it thinking in rhythm.
He'd establish the groove and the feel. Then he'd add chords, melody and lyrics that matched what he was feeling. When writing melody and lyrics, he would also start with the rhythm.
Itâs very freeing if you havenât tried it before.
You don't need to master theory before you create. You need interesting rhythms and progressions you can apply to those rhythms.
đŻ THIS WEEKâS CHALLENGE
Pick one song that you enjoy.
Think about the rhythms being used and the emotions itâs creating.
How is the harmony supporting those emotions?
Don't worry about chord names. Just notice the feeling.
đ ď¸ CREATOR TOOLKIT
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