
What is Topline Songwriting?
Topline is a specialized niche of songwriting where the focus is on melody, lyrics, and performance over a preexisting track/beat/sonic structure. Learn a bit of history of how the craft of topline has become a significant role in the creative space of the music industry.
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Best Guitar Songs—According to Berklee Online Faculty
We polled members of the Guitar Department at Berklee on the guitar-based songs they love the most. Some of the usual suspects are there—Hendrix and Van Halen, etc.—but you may be surprised by some of the songs that strike a chord with your instructors, including some acoustic picks!

Pomodoro Technique and Your Music Practice Routine
There is a very well-known technique called the “Pomodoro Technique” that can help us stay focused and beat fatigue while we practice music. “Pomodoro” is Italian for tomato. Yes, we’re going to improve our efficiency one tomato at a time. Let’s explore how you can incorporate the Pomodoro Technique into your practice routine.

Voice Leading Paradigms for Harmony in Music Composition
These voice leading examples provide guidelines to help you learn how to compose so each voice moves smoothly from note to note, while you create rich harmonic changes.

Music Business Law Facts Every Musician Needs to Know
You’re more likely to pave a successful professional career in the music industry for yourself when you understand the basics of music business and music law. In this article, we’re going to get into some music business law fundamentals you should know first.

How to Copyright a Song
Copyrighting a song or lyrics does not have to be a difficult process for songwriters. Follow these simple steps to make sure you legally protect your intellectual property.

Circle of Fifths: The Key to Unlocking Harmonic Understanding
The circle of fifths is arguably the most helpful way of visually organizing Western music theory’s 12 chromatic pitches for learning. This primer, featuring excerpts from Music Application and Theory and Music for Beginners will give you several new tools to commit this concept to memory.

Fender Stratocaster Guitar Pickups Secret: The Magic of the Middle
If you own a Fender Stratocaster, you’ve probably already delved into the differences between the pickups. But listening to the tone of most guitarists you see playing a Strat, you’ll notice that the middle is probably the most overlooked pickup. Here is what makes it so special.

Singers, Here’s How to Talk to Your Band about Grooves
As a band leader or singer with professional ambitions, being able to describe the sounds we hear in music is crucial. In this course excerpt, Ashlee Varner provides a guide to discussing grooves.

Disney’s ‘Hip Hop Nutcracker’ Features Marisa ‘Dynamyte’ Kouroubacalis
Marisa Kouroubacalis is a singer, songwriter, and drummer who goes by the artist name Dynamyte. Hear how this Berklee Online student landed a principal role in “The Hip Hop Nutcracker,” streaming on Disney+ November 25.