The Difference Between Inspiration and Motivation for Songwriting

If you write songs only when inspired, you’re missing out on the benefits of motivation. ____________ Purchase “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6-eBook Bundle TODAY, and receive your free eBook “From Amateur to Ace: Writing Songs Like a Pro”. _____________ In casual conversation, you may be inclined to use the words “inspiration” and “motivation” interchangeably. For example, you might […]

One Quick Way to Diagnose a Song Melody That Needs Help

Comparing the melodic ranges of each section in your song can reveal a major problem. ____________ “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6-eBook Bundle comes with this FREE eBOOK: “From Amateur to Ace: Writing Songs Like a Pro”. 7 Songwriting eBooks for $37 _____________ We like to think that the best music happens spontaneously. You’re walking down the […]

The Problem of Too Many Chords in a Song

Chord progressions that are long require a way to allow the listener to rest. ____________ Purchase “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6-eBook Bundle TODAY, and receive your free eBook “From Amateur to Ace: Writing Songs Like a Pro”. _____________ If we think of chord progressions as representing a kind of musical journey, then you might think that longer chord […]

Create Ideas First, Songs Second

Listeners are attracted to hooks first, so let that determine how you write. ____________ “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6-eBook Bundle comes with this FREE eBOOK: “From Amateur to Ace: Writing Songs Like a Pro”. 7 Songwriting eBooks for $37 _____________ Listeners are generally attracted to bits of songs first, and then attracted to a song as […]

Song Tempo, and How it Affects Song Meaning

Experimenting with tempo can provide interesting subtext to your music that you hadn’t considered. ____________ Purchase “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6-eBook Bundle TODAY, and receive your free eBook “From Amateur to Ace: Writing Songs Like a Pro”. _____________ Here’s a quick little experiment: listen to Willie Nelson’s version of “Always On My Mind.” Now listen to the same […]

Simplifying the Melody-Writing Process

Repetition and focus around a specific pitch can help simplify the writing of song melodies. ____________ “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6-eBook Bundle comes with this FREE eBOOK: “From Amateur to Ace: Writing Songs Like a Pro”. 7 Songwriting eBooks for $37 _____________ If you ask songwriters to identify the most important quality in good song melodies, […]