Music Theory for Everyone

A Cheater's Guide to Musical Relationships

Using tiny steps to make a big difference in your musical aptitude.

May 16 • Jay McNeill

Linking Music with Color

Equating musical scales and key changes to combinations of color on a painter's pallet.

May 9 • Jay McNeill

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April 2026

"I'll Fly Away" into Multiple Keys

Using a gospel song as a platform for transposition and managing the circle of fifths.

Apr 25 • Jay McNeill

Approaching Song Analysis

Taking a look at excerpts of songs to better understand how to analyze music for a more simplistic approach.

Apr 18 • Jay McNeill

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March 2026

The Girl From Ipanema

Analyzing a complex composition.

Mar 7 • Jay McNeill

February 2026

Your Musical Opinion Matters

What would you like to learn about in the world of music?

Feb 7 • Jay McNeill

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January 2026

Modal Tension Points

Boiling down everything in music to three notes.

Jan 17 • Jay McNeill

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Modal Progressions

Thinking about musical notes the way a painter thinks about color choices.

Jan 10 • Jay McNeill

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Degrees of Musical Notes

Wrapping our heads around degrees of scales, modes, chords, and so on.

Jan 3 • Jay McNeill

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December 2025

Scales and Modes are the Same Thing?

Taking a quick look at the relationship between scales and modes.

Dec 27, 2025 • Jay McNeill

Using the Circle of Fifths as a Learning Tool

Taking a step outside of your musical comfort zone.

Dec 20, 2025 • Jay McNeill

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The One Octave Challenge

Applying a minimalist view to gain a larger perspective of musical control.

Dec 7, 2025 • Jay McNeill

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