Brian Funk Ableton Live Tutorial: Making Drums that Don't Sound Robotic

Berklee Online instructor and Ableton Certified Trainer Brian Funk (AKA AfroDJMac) demonstrates how to make an electronic beat that feels more human.

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Chord Substitution and Reharmonization

In order to use chord substitution as a reharmonization technique, you must understand the division of the seven diatonic chords.

A person typing on a laptop.

Cover Letter and Cold Letter Best Practices for Musicians

In this excerpt from “How to Get a Job in the Music and Recording Industry,” Keith Hatschek explains how to write effective cold letters and cover letters.

Elements of Lyrics: The Great Juggling Act

In this excerpt from “Introduction in Songwriting: Essential Guide to Lyric Form and Structure,” Pat Pattison explains the elements of lyrics.

How to Play Slap Bass

One of the most challenging aspects of playing slap bass is maintaining an even, full, clear sound. Keep on practicing these exercises and you’ll notice significant improvement in your slapping.

piano chord voicings in full effect

Piano Voicing Techniques

Understanding the basics of piano voicings and the use of common tensions is a first step in creating effective orchestrations of reharmonized melodies.

Modal Harmony in Jazz Composition

The modes have provided fertile musical soil for jazz composers since the late 1950s. In effect, modes can be viewed as displacements of the major scale.

Eirini Tornesaki

Student Stories: Erini Tornesaki

For touring musicians, online education is vital. Lessons can be viewed on a laptop screen on an airplane, a tour bus, or backstage at a gig.

Funk and R&B Guitar Tutorial with Thaddeus Hogarth

Berklee Online guitar instructor Thaddeus Hogarth demonstrates the importance of the pentatonic scale in funk and R&B music.

Guitarist learning how to voice lead on acoustic guitar.

Voice Leading for Guitar

In jazz, you will encounter only seven kinds of diatonic seventh chords (from major, melodic minor, or harmonic minor keys). This article will show you how to voice lead smoothly and easily between these chords and their variations.