Music Mentor Dan
@musicmentordan.bsky.social
FREE gamer starter pack to create music: https://music.bestmusiccoach.com/gamer-music-creator?el=bluesky-profile
Arrange like spices: add/subtract layers; don’t dump the whole cabinet in bar 1.
November 30, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Arrange like spices: add/subtract layers; don’t dump the whole cabinet in bar 1.
Don’t decorate a raw potato. Cook it first. (idea first, production later.)
November 30, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Don’t decorate a raw potato. Cook it first. (idea first, production later.)
Win with rhythm.
November 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Win with rhythm.
When you give feedback, you’re holding someone’s artistic heart in your hands.
November 29, 2025 at 11:28 AM
When you give feedback, you’re holding someone’s artistic heart in your hands.
Shapes for melody: climb, fall, zigzag, reverse zigzag, arch, upside-down arch. Harlem shake. Superman. Pineapple. Line-by-line: pick ONE shape per 4 measures. Stay simple.
November 28, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Shapes for melody: climb, fall, zigzag, reverse zigzag, arch, upside-down arch. Harlem shake. Superman. Pineapple. Line-by-line: pick ONE shape per 4 measures. Stay simple.
Effort equals calories. Our brain is designed to keep us alive, so it says don’t spend effort.
November 28, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Effort equals calories. Our brain is designed to keep us alive, so it says don’t spend effort.
Octaves sound different high or low, but have a family resemblance your brain recognizes—it is a doubling or halving of frequncies. A 220, A 440 A 880 etc.
November 27, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Octaves sound different high or low, but have a family resemblance your brain recognizes—it is a doubling or halving of frequncies. A 220, A 440 A 880 etc.
A lead sheet has three parts: chords, melody, and lyrics.
November 27, 2025 at 3:57 PM
A lead sheet has three parts: chords, melody, and lyrics.
Consonance = resolution. Dissonance = tension.
November 27, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Consonance = resolution. Dissonance = tension.
If I only had a year to live, what would I do?
November 26, 2025 at 8:26 PM
If I only had a year to live, what would I do?
If a 5-minute melody sprint feels scary, good. That’s your growth calling.
November 26, 2025 at 4:23 PM
If a 5-minute melody sprint feels scary, good. That’s your growth calling.
In my experience, identity is gonna equal your destiny. Who do you want to be, really?
November 26, 2025 at 11:28 AM
In my experience, identity is gonna equal your destiny. Who do you want to be, really?
Lyrics go below the staff in a lead sheet. Not all lead sheets have lyrics.
November 25, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Lyrics go below the staff in a lead sheet. Not all lead sheets have lyrics.
A melody that “makes sense” usually repeats something—rhythm, contour, or cadence.
November 25, 2025 at 11:30 AM
A melody that “makes sense” usually repeats something—rhythm, contour, or cadence.
Tonic area is your home. You’re safe. Subdominant area: you go out on the road, search for adventure. Dominant area: you meet the bad guy.
November 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Tonic area is your home. You’re safe. Subdominant area: you go out on the road, search for adventure. Dominant area: you meet the bad guy.
Figured bass uses small numbers next to Roman numerals to show chords in inversion to dead people who didn't have a better way of doing things.
November 24, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Figured bass uses small numbers next to Roman numerals to show chords in inversion to dead people who didn't have a better way of doing things.
Dotted quarter notes can’t cross the divide between beats 2 and 3 in 4/4.
November 23, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Dotted quarter notes can’t cross the divide between beats 2 and 3 in 4/4.
Don’t split focus. One skill at a time. Win it. Then move on.
November 23, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Don’t split focus. One skill at a time. Win it. Then move on.
Half steps (semitones) are the smallest distance in music—one note to its neighbor. Now don't go look at microtones or follow Sevish.
November 22, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Half steps (semitones) are the smallest distance in music—one note to its neighbor. Now don't go look at microtones or follow Sevish.
You’ll never have time until you make time. Learn to create music while you’re busy, and you’ll be able to make music for life.
November 22, 2025 at 11:28 AM
You’ll never have time until you make time. Learn to create music while you’re busy, and you’ll be able to make music for life.
If you’re thinking about the future, you are making stuff up.
November 21, 2025 at 10:39 PM
If you’re thinking about the future, you are making stuff up.
Verse idea: Line 1 asks, Line 2 answers. Feel the pull and release.
November 21, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Verse idea: Line 1 asks, Line 2 answers. Feel the pull and release.
In 4/4, write whole rests at the beginning of the measure. In 3/4, write them in the middle.
November 20, 2025 at 9:52 PM
In 4/4, write whole rests at the beginning of the measure. In 3/4, write them in the middle.
Change your body. Change your state. Change your day.
November 20, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Change your body. Change your state. Change your day.
To write descending intervals, think down and to the right.
November 20, 2025 at 11:29 AM
To write descending intervals, think down and to the right.