Unlocking Your Creative Potential: 6 Fun and Effective Songwriting Exercises Every musician has their own songwriting rituals. They’re the tried and true methods for writing your next favorite tune. It can involve anything from sitting down in a coffee shop with your songwriting journal or inviting over a couple of fellow musicians to jam out […]
Category: Songwriting
What is the Hook in a Song: Exploring the Essential Elements that Keep Us Singing
Having a song stuck in your head can be one of the best and worst things in the world. And it never seems to be the whole song either! It’s always that one line that you find yourself coming back to over and over. It can drive you crazy (or others crazy, depending on how […]
Using Music Theory to Enhance Your Songwriting
“Music theory” is a term that gets thrown around a lot nowadays, particularly by musicians and producers who want to put on airs. The term itself can feel intimidating to those who’ve never studied it, like a subject you need a 4-year degree in to really understand. However, music theory isn’t quite the gatekept academic […]
What Is An Outro?
The ending of a song can be the most memorable part. It’s the chance for a final word, an epic climax, or a beautiful, quiet goodbye. It’s the chance to make a lasting impression. But writing an outro is easier said than done. As many musicians (me included) will attest, you can go into a […]
Best Songwriting Courses of 2023
You may have had your lightning-in-a-bottle moments. You were able to get your lyrics down exactly as you want them, or you were able to play the perfect guitar riff. However, replicating that can be tough. That’s where songwriting courses come in. One thing I love about being a songwriter is that there’s always more […]
7 Best Songwriting Contests of 2023
Why Songwriting Contests? Sure, now (more than ever) there’s plenty of different platforms to release your music through. SoundCloud, Bandcamp, and even getting your music on Spotify and Apple Music can be done in a few simple steps. However, outside of one-in-a-million stroke of luck scenario, the chances of getting recognized and put on playlists […]
What is a Refrain in Music?
You’ve got an idea of what refrain in music is, but it’s still a bit fuzzy. If you’re new to songwriting, you’ll quickly find out the whole process can be downright puzzling. There are countless different methods to making catchy originals, each with its own confusing roadmap. Even with conventional song structures, there’s a litany […]
The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Pop Song
Have you ever heard the latest, greatest pop hit and thought, “I wish I would have written that!” It’s understandable. Pop songs are catchy, they’re fun, and listeners can’t get enough of them. Your favorite pop songs might seem to flow effortlessly, but what most listeners don’t see is all the work goes on behind […]
20 Best Songwriting Blogs to Get You Inspired
Whether you want to improve your craft, find inspiration, or search for technical information, you can’t go wrong with blogs about songwriting and music. Many of the best have been around for years, growing into virtual treasure troves of songwriting gold. Blogs give you a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips — articles that educate, […]
What is the Bridge of a Song? (And How to Use One)
If you want to write memorable songs, and especially radio hits, you owe it to yourself to learn the art of writing strong song bridges. A well-written bridge is the icing on the cake of your verses and choruses, and a great one can take your song to a whole new level. On one hand, […]