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
The Music of a Symphony
It’s when the heart of who you are finds sacredness in the present moment, that's music.
What makes something timeless?
Our feelings of interconnection coincide with our perception of inherent beauty.
Four Ways of Knowing
Our thoughts deeply relate not only to what but how we perceive in the world.
What is musical time?
Music, a microcosm of the world, teaches that all we have is the present moment.
Developing a Strong Foundation for Music Composition
Six ways to do this. First principles, developing crafts, listening to other work, amateurs and professionals, committing to expression, and more.
How To Get Better at Musical Composition and One Useful Idea
How to improve your craft of musical composition, the dangers of understanding music theory based on the chromatic scale, and the benefits of thinking of musical intervals as actions.
Harmony in Bach: O Jesulein süß
Non-chord tones help make this short master work one of the most beautiful Christmas chorales. Download a free 4 part analyzed arrangement of this chorale.
Analysis of Brahms 3
Brahms transforms this chordal music into one of the most exciting and thrilling symphonic climaxes of the 19th century.
Hearing and Analysis
Through analysis, you learn the way to hear a piece of music. Musical example is transition harmony of first movement of Beethoven’s 7th.
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
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
Modulations are central to the art of tonal music. This article can get you started.
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.
Cadences, Voice Leading, and Phrasing
On the origins of the musical cadence, and a reference guide to composing with them.
Exercise: Chord Progressions and Singing Intervals
Build beautiful chord progressions, and then sing them.