Instrumentality

Analysis

Analysed: Radiohead’s Exit Music For a Film

Exit Music is a classic track from Radiohead's 1997 album OK Computer. It's also a fabulous song. But why is it such a classic and why does it sound so much like Chopin's Prelude in E minor?

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Comment

In praise of the humble harmonica

The harmonica is one of the most plaintive instruments available and also one of the least expensive. Perhaps it's time to give it another airing.

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Harmony

Walking with Pythagoras

Pythagoras is often thought of as the 'father of harmony.' He believed that mathematics could explain everything, including music. On the basis that playing with notes is just playing with audible numbers, I had a go at walking with Pythagoras.

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Comment

Music is not a sport

Do you find lightening fast guitar and piano playing just a turn off? Yes, so do I. Why? Because music is not a sport.

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Magic

Melodic phrases that give you goosebumps

Sometimes you're listening to a piece of music and something in the melody just stops you in your tracks. Here are some melodic phrases that did that to me.

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Progressions

The Chorale is OK by me

Music written in chorale form differs in that the chords change with nearly every note of the melody. This creates a dramatic, anthemic feel that is still relevant today.

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Analysis

Analysed: Cold Heart by Elton John and Dua Lipa

Cold Heart, the hit single from Elton John and Dua Lipa, takes classic songs and places them in a very different context. What's going on and how does it work?

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Analysis

Analysed: I’m Sticking With You

Takes a look at Lou Reed's 1970 song with the Velvet Underground. Sounds so simple yet somehow it charms us. Why is that?

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Ensembles

Woodwinds do it for themselves

So what does it take to compose a piece of music for a woodwind ensemble? I took a song with the feel of a traditional show tune and arranged it for flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon. It was a lot of fun.

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Ensembles

Getting down to brass tracks

What does it take to write a piece for a brass ensemble? And what sort of music works best? We take the first steps to finding out.

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