Recording Studio

The Business End of Songwriting

Spending your days writing songs might be your dream job, but if it really is a job, you’re going to have to put your guitar down once in a while and deal with the business end of songwriting. But all the words we associate with songwriting business — royalties, copyright, splits, points, etc. — can be […]

Kate Bush

Why Old Songs Like “Running Up That Hill” Reappear as Hits Today?

It’s exciting to hear a song that was a hit several decades ago make a reappearance on the Billboard Hot 100. The latest example of this is Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” from her 1985 album “Hounds of Love.” It’s exciting because in a funny sort of way it’s like a validation that we […]

Music Studio Sound Board

Getting a Handle On the Business of Songwriting

Like starting the songwriting process by working out the chords first? There are benefits and dangers. Read “Writing a Song From a Chord Progression” to get this process working properly for you. If you read my blog regularly you know that I deal mainly with the structure of songwriting. I think of songwriting in the popular genres […]

Songwriter and guitar

Producing Your Own Songs: Making the Tough Choices

I was told once by someone that there are two kinds of people near the top of any successful company: ideas people and doers. I’m not a business specialist, so I have no idea if this is really true, but it makes sense. You need people who can come up with some great ideas, and […]

Band in rehearsal

Getting Chords to Support the Mood of the Lyric

As a songwriter you likely already know the importance of having a strong partnership between the melodies you write and chords underneath them. That partnership between melody and chords is a crucial one. But don’t forget that lyrics are an important member of that partnership. And in that regard, the chords you choose can have […]

Rock Concert Audience

The State of Mind That Makes You a Professional Songwriter

Many years ago when I was a junior high school band director, a student asked me,”What is a professional?” Before I could answer, several students said, “Someone who gets paid for what they do.” “Chord Progression Formulas” shows you how to create dozens of great progressions practically instantly by using some powerful formulas. Get it […]