December has arrived and the holiday season is well underway! We have some great resources to inspire your musical training as we hide indoors from the cold outside. Read on for an intro to songwriting, ear training for jazz musicians, the 5-minute guide to intervals and some festive winter holiday activities and giveaways!

Songwriter’s Secrets

Songwriters secrets- introduction to songwritingWe are really excited about a new series on Songwriting that just started this week. Over the next 10 weeks, award-winning composer Sabrina Peña Young will guide us step-by-step through the process of writing songs, sharing some of her insider secrets. In this week’s introduction she describes the “what” and “why” of songwriting, and different methods you can use depending on your musical background.

common-myths-music-compositionYou don’t need to be an instrumentalist or an expert in music theory to write songs. If you don’t believe me check out this weeks article from our friends over at Musical U. They describe and dispel some of the Common Myths about Music Composition. As with all other music skills, the key to songwriting is practice, practice, practice. Who knows – you might even one day make it onto this list of cats who look exactly like composers!

H-ear that Jazz

Interview Julian Bradley TheMusicaEarFollowing on from our experts guide to starting jazz improvisation ear training we interviewed jazz musician and music educator Julian Bradley. He tells us more about Fixed-Key Learning in his “The Musical Ear” course and his free Jazz Tutorial YouTube channel. Check out his interview “Jazz Improvisation and Fixed-Key Ear Training”.

Intervals – Fast

5-minute-guide-to-interval-ear-trainingTwo weeks ago we published “The Ultimate Guide to Interval Ear Training“. This is an in-depth, everything-you-need-to-know guide to interval ear training. This week we have condensed it down into a 5-minute version on these handy slides:

Festive Ear Training Fun

11 of the best winter holiday ear training resourcesIf you are a teacher or parent looking for festive music activities for children – or an adult who just loves holiday music, we have just the thing for you. Here is a collection of 11 exciting winter holiday themed ear training and music resources. Including fun music theory worksheets for children, a free Christmas Unravelling Music track, a video tutorial, and free sheet music.

Music Matters Blog are also getting into the holiday spirit with a week of musical giveaways! Leave a comment on their site to be in with a chance of winning a range of musical resources, including a free Musical U membership.

Now that you are topped up with musical inspiration and resources this week. I will leave you with our favourite quote of the week from the Musical U Facebook page:

Chet Atkins quote

(Click to Like if it made you laugh!)