Balancing descriptive words with emotional ones is a matter of focus. _______________ A good lyric is usually structured in such a way that it alternates between being a) mainly descriptive, and b) mainly emotional. Verse lyrics are the ones that are descriptive, describing people, situations, and story lines. Chorus lyrics are the ones that are […]
“Fix Your Songwriting Problems -NOW!” is being offered free when you subscribe to the Songwriter’s Quick-Tips Newsletter (also free) ___________ I’ve recently finished a short eBook that addresses some of the most common songwriting problems I’ve encountered as I’ve listened to and worked with students and their music. “Fix Your Songwriting Problems – NOW!” takes […]
Songwriting games help to take the pressure off and let you have a bit of fun. ___________ Many authors will start their day by doing some free-writing, which is a sort of speedwriting “write-whatever-pops-into-your-mind” kind of thing. The benefit of speedwriting is that it focuses the mind, clears the cobwebs out, and perhaps most importantly, […]
Take advantage of the repetitious nature of the circle of fifths to create strong, memorable melodies. _____________ A circle of fifths progression is one of the strongest types of progressions we use in music. There’s something about chords where the roots move by 5ths — it’s what we might call “pleasantly predictable.” You shouldn’t worry […]
Good songwriting students can appreciate and learn from music they don’t necessarily like ____________ Do you describe yourself as being a “student” of songwriting? If you do, I applaud you. To be a student of songwriting means that you’ve risen above being a fan of musicians and their music, and you actively study what makes […]
Avoiding use (or at least overuse) of the tonic note in verses is a natural energy builder for songs ____________ It’s an important songwriting principle that the energy at the end of a song should be as great or greater than the energy at the beginning. There are many ways to boost the energy level […]
