Why Stacked Fourths Sound So Mysterious — From McCoy Tyner to Steely Dan

What Songwriters Can Learn From Elton John’s “Daniel”

“Let Him Run Wild”: The Brian Wilson Song That Predicted Pet Sounds

Production Analysis Jukebox (June 2026)

Beach Boys ‘She Knows Me Too Well’: A Chord Progression Masterclass (Music Theory for Songwriters)

Why ‘PLEASE LET ME WONDER' Is One of Brian Wilson’s Most Beautiful Songs

Exploring the Masterful Composition "WOULDN'T IT BE NICE" (BEACH BOYS)

THAT'S NOT ME (The Chords & Songwriting Secrets of a Beach Boys Classic)

CABINESSENCE - Exploring the Chords, Orchestration, and Lyrical Themes of a Beach Boys Masterpiece

My Thoughts on the Passing of Brian Wilson

Learn the Chords of ONE FINE DAY (Songwriting Lesson)

Learn "ANY DAY NOW" (by Sam Cooke and The Soul Stirrers)

CHORD ANALYSIS: "I Know There's An Answer" (Beach Boys, PET SOUNDS)

Exploring the Chords of "Let's Go Away For Awhile." (Beach Boys, Pet Sounds)

All Possible Extensions of a Dominant 7th Chord

Exploring the Compositional Depth of Mr. Bungle's Sweet Charity

Taking 13th Chords Through The Circle of 4ths

The Elevated Chords of "Till Then" (a lesser known 50s classic)

Tips For Crafting Creative Background Vocal Parts (Jan. 2025)

How To Build All Quad Chords

How To Build All Triad Chords

Mr. Bungle’s “Slowly Growing Deaf”: An Avant-Garde Songwriting Masterclass (Trevor Dunn)

Understanding Sub-Dominant 7 Chords (Secondary Dominants)

THE LONELY SEA: The Chords & Songwriting Secrets (The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson)

Tim Smolens Sings WIND CHIMES (Beach Boys cover)

WIND CHIMES: Songwriting Analysis of a Brian Wilson Masterpiece

HCC - Live Class (11/2/2024, 5pm Mountain Time, EDIT)

DOCTOR WU: Songwriting Exploration of a Steely Dan Masterpiece

YOU STILL BELIEVE IN ME: Chords and Songwriting Oddities

CHOPIN'S Fantasy Impromptu As A Chord Chart

The Perplexing Chords of Bill Joel's "THE STRANGER"

Babylon Sisters: Steely Dan Songwriting & Chord Secrets Explained

Tim Smolens Sings Steely Dan's "Peg" and Shows the Chords

Steely Dan’s “Peg”: How Fagen & Becker Broke the 12-Bar Blues

Billy Joel's "Allentown": The Hidden Jazz Harmony & Masterful Key Changes

How to Tune Your Guitar to the Dominant 7th Chord of the Universe

The Strange Genius Chords of “In The Back of My Mind” (Beach Boys / Brian Wilson)

MUSIC APPRECIATION FRIDAY (8/2/24)

The Girls on the Beach: Brian Wilson’s Wildest Modulation Explained (Beach Boys Chords)

MUSIC APPRECIATION FRIDAY (7/26/24)

The Wonderful Chords & Melody of "A Rose For Emily" (by The Zombies)

Deacon Blues: Steely Dan Chord Secrets & Songwriting Breakdown

My Review of Mr. Bungle's Chemical Marriage (Disco Volante)

Understanding Cents (¢) and 12 Tone Equal Temperament (HARMONIC SCIENCE w/ Tim Smolens)

I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times: Brian Wilson’s Chords & Songwriting Secrets (Pet Sounds)

I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (Beach Boys cover) by Tim Smolens

Preview of Wild International Music Collection

MUSIC APPRECIATION FRIDAY (5/31/24)

The 3 inversions of Major Chord

Slash Chords, Inversions, & Alternate Bass Notes (Everything You Need To Know)

Pool Shark: Sublime's Surprisingly Brilliant Key Modulations

Caroline No: Brian Wilson’s Elevated Chords & Songwriting Secrets (Pet Sounds)

Songwriting Secrets of The Sicilian Clan (Ennio Morricone)

How I Transformed Brian Wilson's Craziest Vocals On Original Song

Half-Diminished Masterclass (The Hidden Versatility of the mi7b5 Chord)

The Greatest Truck Commercial Anthem You Never Heard (American Tough)

Every Type of Key Modulation (Everything You Need to Know)

C5 is the Secret Power Chord of the Universe

Surf’s Up: Exploring Brian Wilson’s Pop Masterpiece | Chords, Themes & Songwriting

Steely Dan's MU MAJOR Chord Explained (w/ Stack o' 4ths & Minor 11th)