Guitar Nine Columns: Songwriting, Composition, Theory

Songwriting can’t be taught… can it?

If you know scales and chords, then you are ready to start learning music theory.

How ear training helps you develop skills that are at the core of your musicianship.

Is it possible to get by as a musician without learning to read music?

Think outside the box when it feels like you've already played everything of which you feel capable.

This article is a great place to start if you are ready to learn music theory in a more useful and effective way.

Remember: your unique intuition is the most important asset you possess.

Which instrument should you be using, and is it possible to get away with not using one at all?

Tips on how to continue your understanding of music theory with the right foot forward.

It's a misconception that inspiration is something that just appears out of thin air.

Get memorable - immerse yourself into the world of repetition.

Write an inspirational song that people actually want to listen to by incorporating different keys.

If your songs are pleasant to listen to, but not the most captivating, check out these tips.

Write an inspirational song that people actually want to listen to by incorporating different keys.

a simple and fun trick that many professionals often use in their songs.

Exploding the myths surrounding talent, inspiration and writer's block.

Tips on how to ready yourself for your next burst of songwriting inspiration.

There's a chance you have too many unfinished songs sitting on your computer, or maybe even on your bookshelf - let's finish them.

Melodies are what stick in the listeners mind and convey passion and emotion: creating coherence in your solos.

Tommaso maintains the skill of songwriting is developed through years of practice.

Tommaso argues these myths are designed to keep your playing stagnant.

The basis of all lyric writing - you may know one or two of these, but even then you need to practice the third one.

It isn`t difficult to learn to study theory the correct way. It can actually be easier and more fun than you expect.

Music theory isn;t learning how to write down different notes, or practicing and reciting scales on a guitar. It`s about experiencing the way notes interact and the effect they have on the listener.

Without a strong sense of melody and phrasing your music will never have that magical sense of wonder.

UK guitarist Sam Russell shares his personal methods on finding the inspiration to be creative musically and lyrically.

A guided tour of the 2015 album by the Scott Allen Project.

Awesome tools, tricks and techniques that you can use again and again to create your own killer sounding, unplugged acoustic guitar song.

Without a strong sense of melody and phrasing your music will never have that magical sense of wonder.

Stay alive. Stay sane. Stay healthy. There are methods to achieving compositional greatness that do not involved personal pain.

Simple music is about balance. It is about taking 1 to 2 musical ideas, weaving them together and manipulating the musical elements just right.

You`re going to like having the ability to write guitar solos that are highly melodic, expressive, and passionate.

Mike Campese is back with additional ideas on how to compose - anytime, anywhere.

You might think that the pentatonic scale is just an easy scale but with no depth - well, you are wrong.

There are four mistakes that you can fix that will drastically increase your musical creativity and help you come up with songwriting ideas much faster.

Mike Campese is back with ideas on how to compose - anytime, anywhere.

It does not necessarily have to take you a very long time to gain the skills needed to accurately express yourself through music.

Unity and variety in songwriting are essential to keeping a song balanced and maintaining interest throughout the entire piece of music.

Most guitar players have a tendency to use a single (often limiting) approach to songwriting that holds them back from achieving the results they want.

Connect with our audience; stirring up emotions while avoiding negative emotions.

Shedding light on modes for those of you that are reaching out for new ideas to add to your musical armoury.

When you find a group of musicians that you write, perform and hang with and can trust, well you may have won a lottery in life.