In common usage within the pop genres, a refrain is a closing line at the end of a verse, usually used in place of a chorus. A classic example is Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are a-Changin’”. “Chord Progression Formulas” shows you how to create dozens of great progressions practically instantly by using some powerful […]
For musicology students who delve mainly in the world of Classical music, history has a way of filtering out “bad” music, leaving them with what might otherwise be known as “the hits.” And there are lots of them to study. Ask those same students to list every Classical composer they know, and they’ll be able […]
In case you were wondering: yes, people do listen to lyrics. I’ve mentioned on this blog many times that if you take a look at “Worst-Songs-Ever” types of lists (all unscientific, of course, but still…), you’ll find that songs are considered bad, corny, or otherwise unsatisfactory based mostly on the quality of the lyric. There has […]
A cadence happens at the end of a musical phrase, and how you end that phrase can contribute to (or stifle) musical energy. _______________ “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6-eBook Bundle will strengthen your songwriting technique, and take you to a new level of musical excellence. It comes with a 7th free eBook, “From Amateur to Ace: Writing […]
Has your songwriting come to a grinding halt lately? More often than not, it’s your songwriting technique that’s to blame. Thousands of songwriters are using “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6-eBook Bundle to improve their songwriting technique. Find out why.. _______________ You’ll notice that some instruments, like the trumpet, sound more intense the higher they’re played. As […]
Not only can plateau pitches improve your melody-writing technique, it can simplify the process. _____________ Download “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6-eBook Bundle, and find out which songs become hits, and why they sound so good. _____________ It’s possible to simplify the notion of writing song melodies by simply saying that most good melodies move in a […]
