By Disc Makers' Author Chris Huff Estimated reading time: 1 minute Everybody loves a good story, and music is no exception. Stories in human society have been shared since we were prehistoric hunters huddled around campfires, and for almost just as long, these stories have also been sung. The Iliad and The Odyssey, classics of ancient Greek literature, were originally performed as songs. While storytelling songs aren’t topping the charts the way they did in the 60s and 70s, recording artists of today still use narrative approaches to entice their audience. Whether you’re just about to start wr ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Philip Kinsher Estimated reading time: 6 minutes If you’re lucky, musical inspiration strikes at the perfect time, and the next thing you know, you’ve written your next great song. Sometimes, though, the act of creating music takes a lot more work. It’s easy for even the most prolific songwriters to encounter writer’s block or to find themselves stuck in a creative rut, where they feel like they’re doing the same thing over and over. Table of Contents: • What causes creative blocks in music? • Diverse sources of musical inspiration • Practical strategies to spark creati ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Shawn Leonhardt Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Even if you’re just learning an instrument or have started beginner guitar lessons, you will have likely run into the Circle of Fifths. While many know it’s a great way to find the key signature of a song, along with sharps and flats, it can help unlock loads of other info as well. Patterns you make on the circle can easily be shifted to transpose and find potential substitutions. Here are a few different ways to find chord progressions on the Circle of Fifths. Table of Contents: • The patterns on the Circle of Fifths ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Johnny Dwinell and Brent Baxter Estimated reading time: 4 minutes The C.L.I.M.B. is a podcast produced by Brent Baxter and Johnny Dwinell dedicated to helping singers, songwriters, and artists “Create Leverage In The Music Business.” This post is excerpted from the episode titled, “3 Minutes & The Truth: Songwriting Strengths.” I believe that you do not have to be great at everything to make it in the music business, and specifically, to make it as a songwriter. I’m a lyricist. That means I don’t write melodies, I’m not a singer — as I like to say, I sing like a hors ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Philip Kinsher Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Creating original music can be the greatest feeling in the world, but it’s tough if you don’t know where to start. How do you write a song that excites you, and then how do you record, orchestrate, arrange, produce, and mix your track with style and quality? Table of Contents: • Songwriting basics • Song melodies and hooks • Choose your sounds and instruments • Record, arrange, and layer • Edit and mix • Backup and bounce Hopefully, this beginner’s guide to making music will set you on the right path. Even if it seems li ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Philip Kinsher Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Whether you’re into hip-hop or hoedowns, acid jazz or nu metal, a great bass line can be a song’s bedrock and rocket fuel. Bass lines serve multiple purposes — harmonic, rhythmic, building a mood, and hooking your audience — and there are countless ways to craft powerful and effective bass lines. Table of Contents: • What is a bass line? • What makes a bass line great? • Key elements of an effective bass line • Music theory and your bass line • Why are bass lines important? • How to write a bass line • It’s not all about ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Philip Kinsher Estimated reading time: 0 minutes Music sampling is a widely used and important technique in modern music production. Sampling involves taking portions of pre-existing recordings and incorporating them into new compositions. Although it was predominantly used in hip hop when it first became prevalent, today sampling adds depth, creativity, and familiarity to songs across countless genres of music. Table of Contents: • Understanding copyright law and music sampling • Composition and cover songs • Sound recording and samples • Interpolation • Legal consider ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Philip Kinsher Estimated reading time: 5 minutes If you’re reading this, you know how fulfilling it is to make music. Being a songwriter and/or music producer is a creative journey that allows you to express your thoughts, emotions, and ideas through melodies, lyrics, and harmonies. Table of Contents: • Songwriting techniques and tips • Finding inspiration • Finding your emotional impact • Writing lyrics • Creating memorable melodies • Exploring music composition • Understanding structure and music arrangement • Song structure • Arrangement • Recording your music • Mixi ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Scott McCormick Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Are you a musician with a desire to create an extraordinary album? Something that goes beyond individual songs and takes your listeners on a captivating journey? Maybe you’re wondering, what is a concept album? Or, maybe you’re ready to make one. Table of Contents: • What makes a concept album? • Types of concept albums • A central theme • Narrative structure • Cohesive mood • Character study • A cohesive stylistic approach • How to write music for a concept album • How to market a concept album What makes a concept alb ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Philip Kinsher Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Musicians have long loved the freedom to express themselves through their lyrics and artistic choices. In a recent article, we explored whether or not you need to include a parent advisory explicit content label on your album. But another question is worth considering: Does the presence of explicit content in music impact streaming numbers and/or the overall success of an artist’s release? Table of Contents: • What does explicit content in music mean? • Streaming platforms and explicit content • How does explicit content ..read more