The Circle of Fifths Explained
The circle of fifths looks complicated but it is just a map of keys. Learn how to read it to find sharps, flats, related keys, and chord progressions.
Nina Cole
Production & Theory Writer
Nina Cole
Nina is a producer and beatmaker who teaches home recording and music theory to people who'd rather make tracks than read textbooks. She demystifies DAWs, mixing, and the circle of fifths in plain English, and she's convinced that theory is just a map for ideas you already feel.
Articles
13 articles by Nina
Nina Cole
How to Mix a Song as a Beginner
A step-by-step beginner's mixing workflow that takes you from a messy session to a balanced, clear track using volume, panning, EQ, and gentle compression.
Nina Cole
How to Write a Melody
Discover how to write memorable melodies using scales, contour, rhythm, and repetition, with practical steps to turn a hummed idea into a finished tune.
Nina Cole
How to Make Your First Beat From Scratch
Make your first beat today with a clear, step-by-step path. Build drums, add bass and melody, then arrange a loop into a real groove from scratch.
Nina Cole
How to Understand Scales
Scales are the patterns behind melody and key. Learn how whole and half steps build major and minor scales, and how to use them when you play.
Nina Cole
How to Record Vocals at Home
A practical guide to recording clean, usable vocals in any room, covering mic placement, budget room treatment, gain staging, and a confident take.
Nina Cole
How to Choose a DAW: A Practical Buyer's Guide
Choosing a DAW does not have to be overwhelming. Learn what really separates the options, which features matter for your style, and how to commit.
Nina Cole
How to Understand Chords
Chords stop being mysterious once you see how they are built. Learn how triads stack, why major sounds happy, and how to read any chord name.
Nina Cole
A Beginner's Guide to Home Recording: Get Clean Takes
Learn home recording the simple way. Set gain right, tame your room, capture clean vocals and guitar, and avoid the mistakes that ruin a take before you mix.
Nina Cole
How to Write a Chord Progression
Learn how to build chord progressions that actually move, using diatonic chords, simple Roman numerals, and a few reliable tricks for tension and release.
Nina Cole
Understanding EQ, Compression, and Mixing Basics
Learn what EQ, compression, and mixing actually do in plain language, with simple moves you can make today to get clearer, more confident-sounding tracks.
Nina Cole
Music Theory Basics for Beginners
A friendly, jargon-free tour of the music theory that actually helps you play and write — notes, intervals, keys, and chords you can use today.
Nina Cole
How to Start Making Music at Home
A friendly, no-fluff roadmap to making music at home. Learn the gear that matters, the software to start with, and habits that finish songs.
Nina Cole