Starting out in music can feel overwhelming at first. The world of music seems huge, and there’s a lot to take in. But just like any language, music has its own rules and building blocks. That’s music theory: the ideas and structures underneath the songs we love. When you get comfortable with these basics, you …
If you make music, there’s almost no way to avoid the Circle of Fifths. It’s everywhere—woven into the basics of harmony, scattered through key changes, and even hiding inside the catchiest chord progressions. At first glance, it’s just a simple circle with a dozen notes around it. But don’t let that fool you. This clever …
Chords and progressions are at the heart of music composition, laying down the foundation where melodies, rhythms, and emotions find their home. These harmonies chart the course for a listener’s ear, shaping the mood and structure of everything from a simple folk tune to the sweeping arrangement of an orchestra. It’s no accident that certain …
Music is more than just notes strung together—it’s a woven tapestry of sound shaped by the forces of rhythm and meter. These two elements quietly set the stage for everything else, forming the groundwork on which melodies unfold and harmonies come alive. They decide when notes hit, how long they last, and how groups of …
Music is all about the way sounds interact and blend—a conversation, really, between melody and harmony. The melody grabs your attention first with its memorable shape and feeling, leading you through one musical event after another. But it’s harmony that turns a simple tune into something much deeper. If melody is the storyline, harmony paints …
Rock music isn’t just another genre—it’s a force that’s shaped attitudes, inspired generations, and left its mark on nearly every corner of modern culture. It began as a rallying cry for youth, a space for outsiders, and a creative playground for new sounds. Decade after decade, rock has reinvented itself, constantly breaking the rules and …
Jazz stands as one of America’s most distinctive artistic gifts to the world. Born from a wide mix of musical traditions, this genre has done more than shape the sounds people love—it’s mirrored and shaped the social and political tides across generations. At its core, jazz thrives on a few signature elements: improvisation (making music …
Pop music isn’t just a background soundtrack—it’s woven into our daily lives, evolving right alongside society itself as we move through 2025. Sure, it’s full of catchy hooks and viral hits, but at its core, pop is a living snapshot of trends, tech changes, and global connections. If you track pop’s journey from its earliest …
When most people think of classical music, they picture grand symphonies and timeless piano concertos. But this art form is far more than just pleasant melodies. Classical music stands as one of the main building blocks of Western culture—a living tradition that’s shaped the way societies think about art, beauty, and even emotion. While “classical” …
Hip-hop started as something raw and urgent—a way for folks in the Bronx to channel their reality into rhythm and rhyme. Over time, it exploded far beyond city blocks and late-night jams, shaping everything from music and fashion to the way we talk and see the world. If you want to really understand hip-hop history, …