Tag: how to write songs
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Did You Know You’ve Been Writing Lyrics Backwards? Stop Now!
Most beginners try to write their lyrics from the top down — first line, first verse, chorus later. It feels logical, right? Start at the beginning and work toward the end. But that’s actually one of the biggest reasons songs fizzle out halfway. When you start with the beginning, you’re guessing at what the song is about.…
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Learn the Ultimate Method to Writing A Chorus
You’ve probably heard it said — or even thought it yourself — that the chorus is simply the part where the lyrics repeat.But that’s not quite right. If the chorus was just the repeating part, that would be like saying your favorite TV show is “the bit where people talk to each other.” Technically true, but not remotely…
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Here’s the Solution to the Enormous Lie Beginner Songwriters Believe
“Lyrics or music?”…Wrong question. If you’ve ever asked, “Should I start with lyrics or music?” you’ve bumped into the biggest beginner lie: that there’s a single right way to start a song—and a bunch of wrong ones that will “ruin” your idea. Today’s tutorial flips that. You’ll see how experienced writers actually begin: not with fear of doing…
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You’ll Never Guess Why “Golden” Is Surprisingly Catchy
You’ll Never Guess Why “Golden” Is Surprisingly Catchy Whether you’re a fan or not, you would have surely heard of K-Pop Demon Hunters by now. Netflix’s latest movie has taken the world by storm, with multiple songs from the soundtrack gracing the Billboard with their presence. In this article, we’ll discuss the secrets hidden within…
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What’s the Most Crucial Melody Mistake Songwriters Make? Discover Now
What’s the Most Crucial Melody Mistake Songwriters Make? Discover Now One might think that the biggest melody mistake songwriters make would be something that’s directly related to melody. For example, some might think it has to do with the repetitiveness of a melody. Meanwhile, others might think it has to do with the number of…
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What’s Your Song’s Focus? Find Out with The Campfire Test!
What’s Your Song’s Focus? Find Out with The Campfire Test! Imagine you’re sitting around a campfire with a bunch of your friends. The sun is setting, and someone hands you a guitar. As you go through your list of songs trying to choose something to play, you’re also asking yourself the question “Which one of…
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Here’s 2 Simple Ways to Erase Music Theory Confusion Forever
Here’s 2 Simple Ways to Erase Music Theory Confusion Forever If you’ve ever found music theory overwhelming, you’re not alone. Many songwriters feel frustrated —bogged down by dense terminology and abstract concepts that seem far removed from the creative process. But what if you could unlock a world of musical understanding with just two simple…
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The Unexpected Secret Behind this Popular Song
The Unexpected Secret Behind this Popular Song Many songwriters think that there are only a few traditional song forms which they can use to write with. However, the truth is that song form is modular – you can write a song arranged in any way you wish. To help you understand how to do this,…
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Stuck? This One Change Made Me Write 20 Songs in a Year
A few weeks ago, I asked some songwriters here what was stopping them from writing more.Here are just a few of the painfully familiar responses: “It’s not my job. Other things constantly get higher on my to-do list.”“When I finally have time, I’m too knackered to do anything decent.”“I have 10,000 lyric snippets… and 0…
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3 Expert Tips to Write Killer Choruses Instantly
3 Expert Tips to Write Killer Choruses Instantly Crafting a memorable chorus can feel intimidating for many songwriters – even the most experienced ones. But what if you knew the formula for writing an amazing chorus? In this post, we’ll unpack three radically practical tips that will help you write a knockout chorus every time.…
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Unlock Powerful Rhythms with These 12 Fingerpicking Patterns
Unlock Powerful Rhythms with These 12 Fingerpicking Patterns If you’re a songwriter who uses guitar as your main instrument whilst songwriting, you may have run into the problem of not having enough rhythmic variation in your song. After all, strumming is great. However, when used too much, strumming quickly transforms from great to repetitive. We’ll…
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Here’s How to Write Breathtaking Lyrics
Here’s How to Write Breathtaking Lyrics Every songwriter dreams of writing lyrics that resonate, tell compelling stories, and evoke deep emotions. Yet, even the most seasoned lyricists sometimes find themselves struggling to squeeze their story into a song. This often results in them overloading their song with multiple perspectives, thus muddling the clarity of their…
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Uncovering Songwriting Techniques with Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now”
Uncovering Songwriting Techniques with Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” Joni Mitchell is a songwriting legend whose techniques continue to inspire musicians and lyricists around the world. In this article, we break down one of her biggest hits—“Both Sides Now”—to reveal six signature songwriting moves that you can incorporate into your own creative process. This article…
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Make Your Songs Twice As Good with Power Positions
Make Your Songs Twice As Good with Power Positions Every songwriter dreams of creating lyrics that not only tell a story but also resonate emotionally with the listener. What if a simple concept could take your lyrics to the next level, and make them unforgettable? In this article, we’ll dive deep into the concept of…
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The Big Problem with Writing Melody First
I recently got a message from one of the songwriters in our membership Community, Leigh Ann, who expressed a very common frustration: “I create melodies but get stuck with putting lyrics to them – or visa versa.” I get it. Finding the right words to a pre-written melody can feel awkward, and often feels like we…
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When “Do What You Love” Fails You
One question I’ve been asking songwriters who feel stuck is “what gets in the way of you writing regularly?” Of the hundreds of responses I’ve gotten in the past few months, there is a persistent theme. Recognise any of these in your life? “I have a full time job, and take care of my family, home,…
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Write Stunning Lyrics And Melody With This Remarkable Technique
One of the hardest technical and creative challenges for songwriters is creating a natural relationship between lyrics and melody. In our tutorial on our YouTube channel, I break down how to master the rhythm of your lyrics, so that writing lyrics and melody together becomes natural – no need to sacrifice one for the other!…