John Lennon - Yoko Ono

Discovering the Power of Musical Momentum: John Lennon’s “Imagine”

In songwriting, momentum is that quality of music that causes us to want to keep listening to a song. Another term for momentum is musical energy, or forward motion. When created and used properly, momentum is a pleasant kind of “tension” in the music, where we sense that something needs to be resolved. If you’re stuck trying […]

Guitarist - Songwriter

How to Improvise Your Next Song

I wrote recently about the difference between theory and practice (“What’s Most Important: Theory or Practice?“) The best songwriters are the ones that know a bit of the theory behind what they do, and then spend a good amount of time “practicing” their art. The practical side of songwriting is the actual doing side. In pop […]

John Lennon - Imagine

Creating Melodies Using Melodic Cells

Every once in a while I take a quick glance through a portion of the Rolling Stone Magazine’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” and I’m looking for similarities. I’m willing to accept, of course, that the list is highly subjective, but that doesn’t bother me much. There’s no denying that the songs on the list […]

5 Reasons Your Song Might Use a Pre-Chorus

A pre-chorus can go a long way to building energy and excitement in a song. Here are some handy tips. Download “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 10-eBook Bundle, and increase your song’s HIT potential. Get a copy of “Use Your Words! Developing a Lyrics-First Songwriting Process” FREE with your purchase of the Bundle A pre-chorus is the short section that […]