Welcome to my writing hub. You can find all of my essays and articles here.
One of my lifelong goals is to deeply understand the musical experience so we can create art that empowers individuals and audiences.
In addition to studying music, I read a lot about music psychology and philosophy, and share what I learn from both on this site. You can subscribe to my newsletter here.
For a personal essay, check out Do you write the sounds you hear?
My most popular article so far: The Bach Chorale Exercise
If you love music theory, here are some articles from my harmony email course (which is a free experience you should definitely consider signing up for):
For my philosophy of music, I recommend this piece: The Music of a Symphony
And here’s an essay about how we can improve the way we understand and teach music: Four Ways of Knowing
To get regular posts, my free email newsletter can be checked out at this link.
You can search by topics you’re interested in by typing below (e.g. intervals):
All Articles
![Analysis of Brahms 3](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f7e8a7d23ad7c718c283374/1608335085393-4DIYQWZE02JIC25XV3O4/arindam-mahanta-VEOk8qUl9DU-unsplash.jpg)
Analysis of Brahms 3
Brahms transforms this chordal music into one of the most exciting and thrilling symphonic climaxes of the 19th century.
![Four Voice Reduction of Bach Cello Suite No. 4: Prelude](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f7e8a7d23ad7c718c283374/1608073079408-E0Y1QQHTZLK64TB70L58/margo-brodowicz-F8YsnsT6_Lk-unsplash.jpg)
Four Voice Reduction of Bach Cello Suite No. 4: Prelude
The purpose of this kind of analysis is to aid in the search for how the musical structures impact us, and then to go for it.
![Harmonic Reduction](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f7e8a7d23ad7c718c283374/1607738064051-6290L08XQMWST0K36PEC/ea457adccaa9e569cff05de9b4f3b04d_XL.jpg)
Harmonic Reduction
The larger structures of tonal music have at its core a much simpler and more basic harmonic skeleton. Musical example is transition harmony of first movement of Beethoven’s 6th.
![Modulation Practice](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f7e8a7d23ad7c718c283374/1607567666703-PLOZH20PSVUST9BZ8N04/xavier-von-erlach-5kAEhOx90DA-unsplash.jpg)
Modulation Practice
Modulations are central to the art of tonal music. This article can get you started.
![Modulation](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f7e8a7d23ad7c718c283374/1607323271570-RJB1LXRV7THQTBRX56EB/adrianna-geo-1rBg5YSi00c-unsplash.jpg)
![The Bach Chorale Exercise](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f7e8a7d23ad7c718c283374/1606771180260-6SNLXX3FPBM3LLMPDRGU/the+book.png)
The Bach Chorale Exercise
Whether you're a songwriter, a classical musician, or an electronic musician, studying the chorales of Bach will develop your harmonic creativity towards mastery.
![Exercise: Chord Progressions and Singing Intervals](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f7e8a7d23ad7c718c283374/1605844847348-7Y0T7YYRCM4JR85T8KTH/Copy+of+Cream+Modern+Simple+Travel+YouTube+Thumbnail.png)
Exercise: Chord Progressions and Singing Intervals
Build beautiful chord progressions, and then sing them.
![Major and Minor Chords and their Progressions](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f7e8a7d23ad7c718c283374/1605735413494-EAXM1PDLSK7L72VC07XJ/16.png)
Major and Minor Chords and their Progressions
After intervals, chords are the next-level building block of musical organization. This article shows how I think about chords and their progressions, and teaches you fundamentals for composing with them.
![The Musical Intervals](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f7e8a7d23ad7c718c283374/1605210961985-KN4GVIVLMSZ1PSFIPUFK/IMG_3834.png)
![Discovering the Double: Harmonic Series Analysis](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f7e8a7d23ad7c718c283374/1605062521385-HLNR1XMB5LQA4P7AIULY/Cream+Modern+Simple+Travel+YouTube+Thumbnail.png)
Discovering the Double: Harmonic Series Analysis
When it comes to rediscovering music, sometimes it is beneficial to think outside of the box.
![Sound, Fundamentals, and Overtones](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f7e8a7d23ad7c718c283374/1604886767876-EUS11P7VZIEP6MYFLT2Q/3.5.png)
Sound, Fundamentals, and Overtones
The laws of physics and acoustics will definitely interest a musician studying theory and harmony. Closely investigating the phenomena is how we will come to learn about the possibilities of sound, and ultimately find the roots of music in the laws of nature.