How Many Chords Make a Good Progression?

Written by Gary Ewer, Senior Instructor, Dalhousie University, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. • Follow Gary on Twitter • “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6 e-book bundle is available now at a 50% savings! ________________________________ For many of you, what you really feel you need is a set of good chord changes that work. It’s […]

Looking for Free Songwriting Help?

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website: Seems like everything costs you something these days. But here’s something that doesn’t cost you a penny, and and help make you a better songwriter. The Songwriter’s Quick-Tips Newsletter is a monthly ezine that offers tips to help you write better songs. The kind of information […]

Five Steps to Better Songwriting

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website: The previous article dealt with the benefits that result from setting aside a regular time to do your songwriting. But that’s just one thing you can do to make your songs even better. There are at least five activities you can do that will improve your […]

Does it Work to Force Yourself to Write?

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website: When your musical ideas dry up, it’s like a bad itch that doesn’t seem to respond to scratching. And the drought can last for months or longer. Some advocate forcing yourself to write even if you don’t feel like it. Does that work? Yes, even […]

Have You Tried Your Melody in the Opposite Mode?

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website: Like most songwriters, you’re probably looking for ways to look at melody construction. One aspect of melody-writing that we don’t think that much about is what it sounds like in the opposite mode. Here’s what I mean by that. Let’s say that your melody is […]