Why "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum Works So Well

by Gary Ewer, author of “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” suite of songwriting e-books. Click here to read about those e-books. ____________________________ This great new song by Lady Antebellum demonstrates so many things that make great songs work so well. From how the melodies are constructed, how the verse moves into the chorus, the choice […]

Changing Key to Keep a Song Fresh

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. His songwriting e-books are here. _______________ There are lots of things that songwriters do to keep a song from getting boring. Varying instrumentation, throwing in rhythmic surprises, coming up with an interesting solo or bridge – these are all ways that we typcially hold a […]

Six Ways to Turn a Child Into a Good Songwriter

Written by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website: Occasionally when I adjudicate at music festivals, I am given the pleasant “task” of assessing musical works composed by young children. Happily, these types of events are non-competetive, and so it gives me an opportunity to help young musicians with their writing by showing […]

How's Your New Melody? Run it Past This Checklist

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. Learn how to become a better songwriter right now. Since every melody is different, you’d think that there’s basically no way to know if your new melody is going to click or bomb. Not true! There are ways to make pretty sure that your melody […]

How Lyrics Change as Your Song Progresses

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. ________________________ A good lyric is not necessarily good poetry, and in many cases doesn’t need to be. With Gary Ewer’s songwriters’ e-books you can discover how your lyrics can make a connection with the listener, how to create chord progressions, how melodies should be contoured, […]

To Make a Melody Work, Think About the Bass Line

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. ________________________ You could be discovering every good secret of songwriting moments from now, with Gary Ewer’s songwriters’ e-books. Find out more about how good chord progressions work, how melodies should be contoured, how lyrics can really connect with your listeners, and more. For $37, purchase […]