Tables of Secondary Dominant Chords

This blog post is a resource to help you in fulfilling the SpinTunes 25 Round 2 challenge. Included in this post are tables of secondary dominant chords and the chords they resolve to, in 12 major keys and 12 minor keys. 

To use them, find the key of the song you are writing to see which secondary dominant chords and resolutions are available in that key. You are not required to use every progression listed in any given key, and you may of course also use progressions in your key that are not listed here. 

SpinTunes 25 Round 2 Challenge

While the judges finish their Round 1 deliberations, you get a head start on Round 2. While the Round 1 challenge was lyric-based, this one is music-based. It's based on a simple harmonic concept that might be familiar to you, or this might be your chance to learn something new. In either case, your Round 2 challenge is waiting for you. Read on:

ST25 Round 1 Album, and What to Do While the Judges Judge

If you missed Monday night's Listening Party, the full Round 1 album is available to stream or download for free on Bandcamp or embedded below. As always, our faithful and talented graphic designer Matt "Shoobs" Schubbe provides brand-new cover art. Thank you, Shoobs!

The Round 2 challenge is posted on Saturday September 13, and the results of Round 1 judging are posted on Sunday September 14. You may be wondering, "What the heck do I do until then?" Here are a few ideas!

Did you fall in love with someone else's Round 1 song? Record a cover version of it for the Bonus Round! I'll take Bonus Round covers any time throughout the tournament; submit them to me the same way you submit regular entries.

You're also welcome to write your own reviews of the Round 1 songs and post them on the Song Fight! bulletin board. Our friends over at Song Fight! have graciously given us space on their forums to do so, and if you need help registering an account there, they're quick to respond and get you sorted.

If you're simply itching to create more music, Song Fight! is always active throughout the year. Unlike SpinTunes, they post a song title which you are required to use for your song. After the deadline, the songs are all posted, participants (and anyone else) vote for the winner, and another fight begins. You can find the current title, deadline, and submission instructions on the Song Fight! homepage. Be aware: Song Fight! participants do not shy away from criticism of each other's songs, but it's a great way to grow as a musician and a fun community to be part of.

ST25 Round 1 Listening Party and Deadline News

Congratulations to everyone who submitted to Round 1 of SpinTunes 25. We have 29 competing entries as well as two non-competing shadow entries, and your first chance to hear them all is at tonight's Listening Party hosted by Tommy G at 8 pm EDT. Join us on YouTube or embedded below.

The judges have two weeks to listen to, review, and rank your songs. Based on the judges' rankings, the elimination schedule for the tournament will proceed as follows:

• Round 1: 29 entries. 8 eliminated; 21 proceed to Round 2.
• Round 2: 21 entries. 8 eliminated; 13 proceed to Round 3.
• Round 3: 13 entries. 8 eliminated; 5 (top 4 + 1 Wild Card) proceed to the Final Round.
• Final Round: 5 entries. 4 eliminated; 1 named SpinTunes 25 Champion.

SpinTunes 25 - Meet the Contestants!

The Round 1 challenge dropped three days ago - maybe your ideas are still percolating, maybe you're hard at work recording, or maybe you've already finished your song! Either way, you might also be wondering, "Who the heck am I up against?" Read on to find out who is competing in SpinTunes 25!

SpinTunes 25 Round 1 Challenge

It's the dawn of SpinTunes 25. Over four rounds, you will toil away at your songcraft, and when the sun sets on the tournament, one contestant will claim the title of Champion. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Read on for your Round 1 challenge.

SpinTunes 25 Schedule

 All times given are in US Eastern Daylight Time. When in doubt, the SpinTunes Google calendar should list all deadlines in your local time.

Read on for the full SpinTunes 25 schedule.