The Music Interval Theory Podcast

Explore the Circle of Interval Magicians: https://www.skool.com/circle-of-interval-magicians/about/ In this episode, Frank explores the double-edged nature of pattern education. While learning common musical patterns is essential, relying on them without reshaping leads to generic results. Composers are encouraged to mutate patterns through changes in rhythm, orchestration, articulation, harmony, and emotional intent. Patterns are public property—but personal creative decisions transform them into original music.

Download the free guide “5 Spells Every Composer Needs” and learn interval-based composition techniques that create motion and emotional growth: https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ In this episode, Frank explores how music can feel alive even when harmony remains static. Using examples like Bolero, he explains how motion comes from shaping intensity through dynamics, register shifts, density, and interval tension. Instead of adding more chords to fix boredom, composers can design the energy arc and let emotional growth unfold within a single harmonic space.

Download the free guide “5 Spells Every Composer Needs” and start using interval-based techniques that create flow and motion in your music: https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ In this episode, Frank explores why leaving patterns exposed can make music feel mechanical and predictable. He shares practical techniques to hide loops, blur transitions, and create seamless motion between sections. You’ll learn how to stretch ideas across bar lines, use fills and countermelodies as camouflage, write transitions backward, and dissolve the grid so listeners feel story instead of structure.

Download the free guide “5 Spells Every Composer Needs” and learn interval-based techniques you can use immediately in your compositions: https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ In this episode, Frank explains why many composers feel slow: they try to generate and refine at the same time. By separating the creative phase (draft one) from the development phase (draft two), composers can work faster, think more clearly, and reduce creative friction. The key is to write the simple core idea first and shape it later. Speed in composing is not about talent—it’s about process.

Explore the Circle of Interval Magicians and dive deeper into interval-based composition techniques: https://www.skool.com/circle-of-interval-magicians/about In this episode, Frank challenges the common advice of “just modulate” when composers feel stuck inside a scale. True freedom doesn’t come from changing scales but from changing perspective. By using equal interval structures and moving them chromatically, composers can step outside traditional scale boundaries while maintaining clarity and coherence. Thinking in interval relationships rather than scale containers opens the door to greater creative control and expressive freedom.

Download the free guide “5 Spells Every Composer Needs” and start using interval-based composition techniques in your own music: https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ In this episode, Frank explores the overlooked concept of interval resolution and explains why single intervals—not just chords—are the true carriers of musical energy. By focusing on how intervals like the minor second resolve and move, composers can create tension, release, and forward motion without relying on heavy harmonic changes. Thinking horizontally instead of vertically opens up new expressive possibilities and leads to more alive, breathing music.

Download the free guide “5 Spells Every Composer Needs.” Spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, Frank explains 5 of his most-used spells with examples so you can implement them in your own music. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ In this episode of The Music Interval Theory Podcast, Frank shares some hard-earned wisdom about mistakes, decision-making, and the hidden costs of creativity. Drawing from over two decades of experience, he talks about how knowing which mistakes are reversible—and which ones aren’t—can shape not only your music, but your whole career. Learn how to navigate tough calls, take smart risks, and keep moving forward in your musical journey.

Download the free guide “5 Spells Every Composer Needs.” Spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, Frank explains 5 of his most-used spells with examples so you can implement them in your own music. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ In this episode of The Music Interval Theory Podcast, Frank explores the idea of “finger painting” as a way to overcome creative blocks and escape overthinking. By leading with intuition and sound rather than technique, composers can unlock faster, more emotional music writing. Frank explains how instinct and theory naturally work together—and how getting playful at the start can spark powerful ideas.

Download the free guide “5 Spells Every Composer Needs.” Spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, Frank explains 5 of his most-used spells with examples so you can implement them in your own music. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ In this episode of The Music Interval Theory Podcast, Frank unpacks the real role of orchestration—not as decoration, but as storytelling. He explains how register, density, and energy placement in your sketch already hint at your orchestration, and how understanding your instrumental vocabulary early in the process can bring your ideas to life. Whether you’re writing for film, games, or the concert hall, this episode will help you think differently about how and when orchestration begins.

Download the free guide “5 Spells Every Composer Needs.” Spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, Frank explains 5 of his most-used spells with examples so you can implement them in your own music. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells In this episode, Frank redefines voice leading as more than just academic theory—it’s a tool for writing smoother, more memorable music and a form of respect for the musicians performing your work. Learn how to approach open harmony with clarity by focusing on linear motion, avoiding awkward jumps, and writing parts that feel natural and inevitable.

Download the free guide “5 Spells Every Composer Needs.” Spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, Frank explains 5 of his most-used spells with examples so you can implement them in your own music. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells In this episode, Frank explains why a perfectly correct orchestral score can still sound wrong—and how the real culprit is often the bass and its overtone series. Learn how strong low notes can generate conflicting harmonies in the upper register, and what you can do to avoid those acoustic traps. Whether it’s dynamic control or harmonic substitution, you’ll walk away with practical tools for writing cleaner, more intentional orchestration.

Download the free guide “5 Spells Every Composer Needs.” Spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, Frank explains 5 of his most-used spells with examples so you can implement them in your own music. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells In this episode, Frank unpacks a powerful idea: you can’t “use up” a composition technique. Instead of constantly reaching for new tricks, learn how to stretch one technique through contrast and transformation. From orchestration shifts to role reversals and rhythmic flips, the secret lies in development—not novelty. This shift in mindset helps your music stay focused, engaging, and full of life.

Download the free guide "5 Spells Every Composer Needs." These spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, I explain 5 of my most-used spells with examples so that you can implement them in your compositions as well. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ In this episode, Frank breaks down why the minor second doesn’t belong in heroic music — but absolutely rules in boss battles. He shows how a simple octave shift and interval displacement can turn a regular progression into a threatening force, giving your music immediate intensity and emotional impact. Learn the difference between music that celebrates and music that challenges.

Download the free guide "5 Spells Every Composer Needs." These spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, I explain 5 of my most-used spells with examples so that you can implement them in your compositions as well. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ Frank explains why orchestration has always functioned as the original EQ and transient shaper, even before plugins existed. He shows how register, doublings, and voicing shape your music’s clarity and emotional power. If your orchestral writing needs tons of EQ and processing, the real fix isn’t in the mix. It’s in the arrangement.

Download the free guide "5 Spells Every Composer Needs." These spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, I explain 5 of my most-used spells with examples so that you can implement them in your compositions as well. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ Frank breaks down the real meaning of dissonance and why it’s not chaos — it’s a choice. Learn how understanding overtone alignment and harmonic resistance gives you full control over emotional tension in your music, so you can use dissonance with intention, not by accident.

Download the free guide "5 Spells Every Composer Needs." These spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, I explain 5 of my most-used spells with examples so that you can implement them in your compositions as well. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ In this episode, Frank explores the true power of the minor second — not just as a small half-step, but as a source of stored energy and emotional tension. Discover why it’s so much more than a dissonance to fix, and how using it with intention can transform your compositions.

Download the free guide "5 Spells Every Composer Needs." These spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, I explain 5 of my most-used spells with examples so that you can implement them in your compositions as well. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ Frank shares a powerful story from a conversation with a magician friend and composer, revealing the real benefit of learning interval theory — not just sounding different or adding tricks to your music, but saving time and eliminating frustration. Discover how interval-based thinking can help you translate your musical ideas into reality faster and with more confidence.

Download the free guide “5 Spells Every Composer Needs.” These spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, Frank explains five of his most-used spells with examples so you can implement them in your compositions right away. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ In this episode of The Music Interval Theory Podcast, Frank challenges the traditional view of the 12 musical intervals and introduces a fresh, practical approach for composers. By grouping intervals into just six core personalities — plus one wildcard tritone — you’ll learn how to simplify your composing process and gain deeper control over tension, emotion, and movement in your music. This mindset shift helps you connect theory with real-world composing in a fun, intuitive way.

Explore the Circle of Interval Magicians. You find the Circle quickly by googling "Circle of Interval Magicians," or by following the link in the show notes. https://www.skool.com/circle-of-interval-magicians/about?ref=bfbebbc3d8d04a84806842a78f42963a Frank shares a surprising insight from the world of Hollywood scoring: most modern film scores are written in C concert with no key signature. Why? Because emotion demands constant modulation, and session players prefer clarity over tradition. By dropping the key signature, composers can let their harmony follow the picture more freely. Frank explains how this shift changed his own workflow and offers encouragement for composers looking to break free from rigid key thinking.

Download the free guide “5 Spells Every Composer Needs.” These are powerful interval-based composition techniques, and yes—counterpoint is part of the magic. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ In this episode, Frank reframes counterpoint as a vibrant conversation between musical lines rather than a rigid academic exercise. You’ll learn how counterpoint can bring clarity and energy to your music, especially when applied to full sections in orchestration. From emotional exchange to structural storytelling, this episode is a fresh take on a classic technique—with some interval theory magic sprinkled in.

Explore the Circle of Interval Magicians. You find the Circle quickly by googling "Circle of Interval Magicians," or by following the link here: https://www.skool.com/circle-of-interval-magicians/about?ref=bfbebbc3d8d04a84806842a78f42963a In this episode, Frank shares a game-changing insight about enharmonic spelling and how simplifying your notation can lead to better performances. It's not about impressing musicians with theory-perfect accidentals—it's about writing parts that read and feel intuitive. A small shift in thinking that can make a big difference on the stage or in the studio.

Download the free guide “5 Spells Every Composer Needs.” Spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, I explain 5 of my most-used spells with examples so that you can implement them in your compositions as well. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ In this episode of The Music Interval Theory Podcast, Frank shares why he refuses to join the “music theory police” and how the internet often turns helpful knowledge into gatekeeping. He explores the value of curiosity in learning, why asking questions should be safe, and how theory is best used as a creative tool—not a strict rulebook. If you're tired of rigid opinions and just want to make great music, this one’s for you.

Download the free guide “5 Spells Every Composer Needs” — interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ In this episode, Frank shares how he stopped overthinking intervals and started using his keyboard or guitar as a simple visual tool to speed up his workflow. He explores the difference between writing inside scales versus composing with intervals — and how blending both approaches can bring uniqueness and familiarity to your music. You’ll also hear practical tips for applying interval thinking in your own compositions, whether you’re scoring for film, games, or just experimenting.

Download the free guide "5 Spells Every Composer Needs." Spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, Frank explains five of his most-used spells with examples so you can implement them in your own compositions. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells/ In this episode of the Music Interval Theory Podcast, Frank shares how years of teaching pattern-based music theory helped him develop instant pattern recognition—both visually and aurally. He breaks down why structured learning is far more powerful than "winging it," and how repeating intervallic patterns can train your inner ear like nothing else. You’ll hear how these concepts apply directly to composition, and how to avoid common mistakes by understanding the “why” behind what works.

Download the free guide "5 Spells Every Composer Needs." These spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. I explain 5 of my most-used spells with examples so that you can implement them in your compositions as well. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells In this episode of The Music Interval Theory Podcast, Frank unpacks why chords like C6 and Am7—despite using the same notes—feel so different. The secret lies in the harmonic series and how we interpret the root. You’ll learn how shifting the fundamental changes the chord's function, complexity, and emotional color. We go from simple sixth chords to rich 13th structures, all using the exact same tones. It’s a powerful lesson in musical context, function, and the nature of harmony.

Download the free guide "5 Spells Every Composer Needs." Spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, Frank explains 5 of his most-used spells with examples so you can implement them in your compositions too. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells In this episode, Frank dives into the technique of Scaling—an interval-based approach that instantly adds emotional depth and that “Disney sparkle” to your music. He explains how using a simple formula from a major triad and an anchor note can unlock rich harmonic textures. With easy step-by-step guidance, you'll see how to use Scaling to create wide, expressive harmonies that still feel grounded and intentional.

Download the free guide "5 Spells Every Composer Needs." Spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, Frank explains 5 of his most-used spells with examples, so you can start using them in your own compositions: https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells In this episode of The Music Interval Theory Podcast, Frank explores the idea that the patterns and habits in your music aren’t mistakes. They’re your musical fingerprints. He shares how years of trying to “correct” his tendencies actually led to less authentic music, and how embracing those repeating ideas brought his compositions to life. If you've ever felt self-conscious about sounding too much like yourself… this one’s for you.

Download the free guide “5 Spells Every Composer Needs.” Spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, Frank explains 5 of his most-used spells with examples, so you can implement them in your own compositions: https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells In this episode of The Music Interval Theory Podcast, Frank shares how recording his composing process inside Sibelius helped him spot creative blocks, speed up his workflow, and become more self-aware as a composer. Inspired by how athletes analyze game footage, this simple practice can help any composer improve—even if you never publish a single video. It’s a behind-the-scenes strategy with surprising power!

Explore the Circle of Interval Magicians. You find the Circle quickly by googling "Circle of Interval Magicians," or by following this link: https://www.skool.com/circle-of-interval-magicians/about?ref=bfbebbc3d8d04a84806842a78f42963a In this episode, Frank shares how composing in isolation can distort your creative judgment—and how inviting feedback into your process can unlock surprising clarity and growth. Through personal studio stories and practical examples, you’ll discover why community matters, how different ears catch different things, and what it really feels like to shape your music while the clay is still soft. Step inside the Circle of Interval Magicians and find your musical mirror.

Download the free guide “5 Spells Every Composer Needs.” These are interval-based techniques that work like magic — and they’re ready for you to use in your own compositions! 👉 https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells Learn why this tone doesn’t appear in the harmonic series, how to frame it so it sounds intentional, and why giving it proper context turns it from a problem into pure musical gold. Plus, get tips for building your pattern recognition and writing with more confidence.

Download the free guide "5 Spells Every Composer Needs." Spells are interval-based composition techniques that work like magic. In this guide, I explain five of my most-used spells with examples so that you can implement them in your compositions as well. https://musicintervaltheory.academy/spells In this episode of The Music Interval Theory Podcast, Frank opens up about the power of unfinished work. From half-orchestrated ideas to 8-bar sketches, these "tiny reps at the gym" are actually the foundation of musical growth. He shares a raw, personal sketch from years ago and discusses how sharing imperfect work with fellow composers builds confidence, sharpens instincts, and keeps the creative momentum alive. If you’ve ever felt like your half-finished cues don’t count, this one’s for you.

Explore the Circle of Interval Magicians. You find the Circle quickly by googling "Circle of Interval Magicians," or by following the link in the show notes. https://www.skool.com/circle-of-interval-magicians/about?ref=bfbebbc3d8d04a84806842a78f42963a In this episode, Frank explores how composers truly discover their unique musical voice. Not by force, but by consistently writing and recognizing their own patterns. From harmonic habits to go-to textures, these so-called “bad habits” are actually key to identity. He shares insights from his own journey in film, animation, and games, and reminds us that innovation doesn’t mean throwing away our taste—it means letting it evolve.