Welcome to the new Writing page
For drummers: Click here for a brief series of articles for drummers, including Drum "tuning", Musical forms, Transcribing, reading, and writing drum parts, Improvising, etc.. All of the previously-existing articles, which are excerpts from my book, "Drumming for Life™" are still on the Hot Topics page.
NEW: (02-04-08) Notes on arranging, transcribing, and composing
(Click here or on the "Music-related writing" link at the top of the page.)
- Music theory, down and dirty - A (brief) compilation of my notes on the things I think are the most important (scales, modes, instrument range chart and idiosyncrasies, transposition chart, voice-leading, etc.)
- How to find that "weird chord" that you can't identify - "Tonicization"
- How to add some "spice" to simple chord progressions
- Effects - A list, with examples of various "devices" you can use in your arrangements for specific musical effects (chord voicings and instrument combinations)
- Tips on things to avoid ("the hidden minor 9th", "bad chord voicings", etc.)
- How to accurately transcribe (copy) arrangements you like, for study
- In the jazz genre, analysis of some great big band arrangements by Sammy Nestico, Don Menza, John LaBarbara, Count Basie, Thad Jones, and others.
- In the pop genre, analysis of some great arrangements by Earth, Wind, and Fire, Al Jarreau, Gino Vanelli, The Beatles, and others.
- Coming soon...
A section with links to resources for studying on your own
Who can benefit from these articles?
Obviously, I'm not going to try and present a complete, "classical to modern" college-level course here. Some of the articles will be understandable by everyone, but some will require that you read music. The'yre aimed at working drummers and writers who could use some quick information to help them solve problems. They have served me well, and I hope they'll help some of you. You'll find links to many other resources, too.
- Mike James
On the ancient question "How many variations in music can there be, with only 12 notes?"
Check out this brief article by Frank Behrens, called "A Mathematical Look at Musical Plagiarism".
Check out this brief article by Frank Behrens, called "A Mathematical Look at Musical Plagiarism".