The Role of the Hook in Verse-Only Songs

The most common song hook is found in the chorus. But in verse-only songs, what role does the hook play? ____________ Download “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6-eBook Bundle, and increase your song’s HIT potential. _____________ A song’s hook is, theoretically, that thing that keeps bringing listeners back and building an audience base. As the specifics of a song […]

Downward Key Changes Might “Brighten” a Song – Here’s How

If you’re looking for ways to brighten the feel of a song, moving the key downward might (paradoxically) work. Read on.. ____________ Download “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6-eBook Bundle, and increase your song’s HIT potential. _____________ I’ve written about the matter of changing key within a song before, and most of the time I talk about ways to […]

Easy Music Theory 2.0 is Now Available (Download)

“Easy Music Theory” will take you from nothing to college-level in 25 easy lessons. Guaranteed! ____________ Download “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6-eBook Bundle, and increase your song’s HIT potential. _____________ “Easy Music Theory with Gary Ewer” version 2.0 is now available, as an instant download. If you’ve been intimidated by the thought of trying to learn music theory, […]

5 Catchy Options For the I-IV-V-I Chord Progression

Here are some interesting alternatives to turn a basic I-IV-V-I progression into something that sounds a bit fresher. ____________ Download “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6-eBook Bundle, and increase your song’s HIT potential. _____________ In the balance between innovation and predictability, your songs should only offer a taste of innovation if you want to build an audience base. There […]

Creating a Climactic Moment in a Song’s Melody

Though many listeners aren’t consciously aware of it, most of their favourite melodies have a climactic point. Here’s how to create one. ____________ Download “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6-eBook Bundle, and increase your song’s HIT potential. _____________ Whether people are aware of it or not, the melodies of most hit songs have a moment that can be described […]

5 Ways Your Songs Might Be Too Predictable

The danger of a songwriting formula is that everything becomes predictable. Here’s what you can do about that. ____________ Download “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6-eBook Bundle, and increase your song’s HIT potential. _____________ Using a songwriting formula means one or both of the following: 1- fitting your song into one of many possible song designs (verse-chorus-bridge, for example); or […]