This week, I want to encourage you to explore music you don’t normally listen to, for the sake of exposure. Maybe it’s Latin guitar, classical guitar, or something completely different. The style itself doesn’t matter, what matters is the listening. When you listen to something outside your usual habits, your ears start to notice new textures, rhythms, and melodies. Your brain begins to make connections it wouldn’t otherwise make. You start to feel the music in a different way, you notice how culture and context shape sound, and you might even find inspiration for your own creations that comes from unexpected places. Take your time, listen carefully, and pay attention to how it makes you feel. Let it inspire a small piece, a melody, or an improvisation. Music starts in your ears, in your body, in your presence. Let your curiosity guide you and see where it leads. Once you’ve explored, share your work in the ‘Show N Tell’ category, and if you find something interesting, drop a note in the comments.🤟

This is a song that I remember my sisters playing when I was maybe 5 years old. I don’t remember being anywhere, but I remember feeling their teen angst and I remember feeling safe with them. It came up on a station and it took me right back. The prompt for this week is about emotional memories. Explore a song that reminds you of a bittersweet memory and wait for the chills. Wait for the moment that your brain begins to itch as the melody brings you right back to that point in time. Music is subtly associative like smells and tastes can be. We remember the way we felt from deep within our subconscious as soon as we get a whiff again. So try it out. Go back. If you are inspired, you can create something beautiful from nostalgia. Cover that song or write something inspired by it. If it moves you, it’s right. Music isn’t all about perfecting the craft, dedicated study, comprehension, or knowing how to make it at all. It all starts with our ears. In our hearts. In moments.

This weeks prompt is about space! 👽🚀 Not that kind of space… I mean silence and presence sustained over time! So maybe it is that kind of space? 🤔 Throughout the week, emphasize the importance of space, for without it we would not be able to breathe. Space gives sound value! Try experimenting with the blend of sound/no sound. Sort of like shutting the refrigerator door slowly to see exactly when the light shuts off, simply notice the moment the sound emerges and dies down. This rise and fall is the focus for the week! If you have any suggestions for next weeks prompt or anything that you’d like to share music-wise, drop a comment or send me a message :)

Prompt: Write a melody that lasts anywhere from 1-4 bars (4-16 clicks) that is based around a single chord. Concept: Create a two-chord progression and write a unique melody for each chord. Tool: Stretch time out. Slow the tempo and explore more 8th and 16th notes within each measure. Activity: Do this once over the first chord, then repeat the process over the second chord. You can go as many chords as you’d like but having at least 2 allows for transitions. Practice transitioning between the two. Try using leading phrases to bridge the seam between chord changes—think shared tonal relationships (modes 👀). You’ve got one week to watch the video, follow along, and create a short piece using this process. Post in the ‘ Show N Tell’ category 😌 If you have suggestions, variations, or discoveries, drop them in the comments 👇