A Good Hook: Keep it Short, Make it Catchy

Written by Gary Ewer, Senior Instructor, Dalhousie University, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. • Follow Gary on Twitter • Write great songs consistently with “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6 e-book bundle ________________________________ There are a lot of myths surrounding the role and importance of the hook in a song. There’s sometimes a belief that all […]

Even in the Songwriting World, Opposites Attract

Written by Gary Ewer, Senior Instructor, Dalhousie University, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. • Follow Gary on Twitter • Write great songs consistently with “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6 e-book bundle ________________________________ Some of the features of good songwriting have been with us for centuries. For example, composers have known for a very long time […]

Songwriting is a Process, Not an Event

Written by Gary Ewer, Senior Instructor, Dalhousie University, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. • Follow Gary on Twitter • Write great songs consistently with “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6 e-book bundle ________________________________ The simple fact that songwriting is a process, where the final product can take anywhere from days to years to complete, may […]

Kaskade's "Dynasty": The Perfect Igloo-Shaped Melody

Written by Gary Ewer • Check out “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6 e-book bundle • Follow Gary on Twitter ________________________________ A lot of my posts lately have dealt with melody, specifically issues surrounding melodic shape. It’s usually the shape of the melody that determines how memorable it is. Melodies that lack shape, seeming to dwell […]

Melody and Bass: They Need to Work Together

Written by Gary Ewer, Senior Instructor, Dalhousie University, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. • Follow Gary on Twitter • Check out “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6 e-book bundle ______________________ It is a very useful exercise to sing through your latest song, accompanying yourself with just the bass line. How melodies and bass lines […]

5 Ideas For Making Melodies People Can Hum All Day

Written by Gary Ewer, Senior Instructor, Dalhousie University, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. • Follow Gary on Twitter • Check out “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6 e-book bundle ______________________ If hit songs are what you’re trying to write, you need to be concerned about composing something that keeps your listeners humming. In order […]