Talent vs Knowledge: Which is More Valuable?

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. FOLLOW Gary on Twitter, for songwriting tips and news. ___________ Talent – the word refers to a natural ability; to describe someone as talented is to say that they have an innate understanding of the intricacies of their field, and can produce something impressive, even if they lack […]

How Melodic Shape Can Determine a Song's Success

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website: ______________ You would think that a beautiful melody is what we’re all after when we write songs. But you could make the case quite easily that the world’s most successful songs over the past five decades do not necessarily have melodies you’d call “beautiful.” Like […]

Can You Fix a Tin Ear?

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website: __________ Whether you call it “having a tin ear” or “being tone deaf”, many musicians feel the great frustration of not being able to accurately label the sounds they’re hearing. It’s a sophisticated activity when you think about it: we’re essentially listening to the air […]

Stimulating Your Other Senses to Help Cure Writer's Block

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website; __________ Every songwriter goes through a rough patch, when writing the next tune seems all but impossible. Despite our best efforts, it happens. And even though you may do the things most people – including me – will offer as solutions (setting a regular time […]

What Your Song’s Bridge Needs to Do

Written by Gary Ewer, Senior Instructor, Dalhousie University, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. • Follow Gary on Twitter • Good songs sell! Check out “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6 e-book bundle – available now at a 50% savings! ________________________________ When I adjudicate performers at festivals, I love pointing out that good music is often more about […]

Composing from the Chorus Backwards

Written by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. _____________ It’s not unusual for songwriters to get the chorus of their new song working before any other section. After all, it’s the hooky part that often coalesces before the other sections become apparent. But once you’ve got that great hook, how do you work backwards […]