by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website: Looking for chords to harmonize your minor-key song? There are actually two different ideas out there for what it means to be “in a minor key.” The one idea is based on traditional harmony, while the other is a more “modal” approach. I’ve put some […]
by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website: Contrast is what sets the different sections of your song apart. And a song without enough contrast will make it about as interesting as your Great Aunt Bertha, who just keeps saying the same thing. Contrast, simply put, means that one part of your song says […]
by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website: Writer’s Block: When You Just Can’t Write Good No More Every songwriter suffers from it from time to time. The ideas just don’t happen. And even when they do, you don’t know what to do with them. Writer’s block is curable if you really […]
by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website: There’s nothing random about a good chord progression. Starting on any chord, descending by 3rds will give you a great one to try. Let’s use the key of A major as our example. Starting on the tonic chord (A), then allowing the progression to descend […]
by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. Let “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” turn your songs into hits! _________________________ Ever been on a roller coaster? It’s not about the scenery. It’s about the excitement. “Just Dance” is all about the energy of the ride, and if you’re looking for something profound, it ain’t […]
by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website: I have a theory that people judge your song within the first 7 seconds. By that time, a listener has decided if they like or dislike what you’re doing. That shouldn’t really surprise us. It’s a product of the age we live in. Television producers […]
