Posts by Clay Mills
Are You Using The “Songwriter Chord”
Want to make your songs contemporary but also not lose that classic feel of great songs? Follow along as Hit Songwriter Clay Mills shares his secret weapon –the songwriter chord. This two-fingered major and minor 10th chord voicing has been used on many mega hits throughout the history of recorded music. So, Grab an instrument,…
Read MoreSongTown: A No Guru Zone- Why We Created Something Real For Songwriters
SongTown – A no “Guru” zone for songwriters… At SongTown, we’ve been pretty protective of our songwriting community. It’s a private community of some of the best up and coming songwriters around. Marty Dodson and I started it 10 years ago to help grow aspiring writers into world-class writers. A lot of folks in the…
Read More10 Characteristics Of Highly Creative People
A different breed… Over the last 20 years of writing and working with artists, producers, and co-writers; I’ve noticed certain traits in myself and others in the creative community. We are wired differently than the other 95% of the population. We are the creative types. Is this you? 1. When inspiration strikes, they forget everything…
Read MoreAre Your Songs Believable? 3 Keys To Ensure You Won’t Miss The Mark
If I had to choose one thing as the most important thing in songwriting, it would be “making your song believable.” Throughout the entire writing process I am asking myself, does this feel real? When someone hears your song for the first time, that’s what hits them first. Nothing loses the listener faster than a line or song that’s…
Read MoreGreat Songwriters Don’t Wait For Inspiration
Clay and Marty respond to a popular social media comment about songwriting and share tips on how to become a more consistent songwriter! Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you level-up your songs and finish them faster. CLICK HERE to begin! SongTown Press Books: Mastering Melody Writing : Check It Out The Songwriter’s…
Read MoreHow To Write Songs For Sync Licensing
In today’s ever changing music landscape, writing music for sync has become an important marketplace for songs and songwriters. Knowing how to write songs for sync will not only supplement a writer’s income but it also has the potential to launch a recording artist from obscurity to stardom. More music content is being consumed now…
Read MoreHeart vs. Head: How To Write Your Best Songs
Songwriting is beautifully complex and yet simple… I am often reminded when teaching aspiring songwriters how simple, and yet complex, writing songs can be. It’s a beautiful mix of emotions, wit, determination, and being in the moment. A very common obstacle I see to great writing is what I call “Heart vs. Head Songwriting.” Too much emotional…
Read MoreSometimes All A Songwriter Needs Is Someone To Believe In Them: When All Else Fails
Yesterday during a mentoring session I was asked the question, “When did you decide to be a songwriter/musician?” I thought about it a couple of moments and realized it was never a conscious decision. It was more like music made me. Music made me a musician by always being there. When everything else failed, I…
Read MoreWhy Good Songs Fail: 4 Huge Reasons!
Clay and Marty share 4 reasons why a technically perfect song doesn’t mean you’ve written a song that will matter to the world…. And stick around till the end as they discuss what success really means for a songwriter. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you level-up your songs and…
Read MoreThe Creative River Series: What’s Stopping You?
I remember sitting in a Mexican restaurant a few years ago with the late songwriter Tim Johnson. We were preparing to play a benefit that evening for a local high school. “What’s stopping you?” Tim asked. You see, I’d just told him that I’d always dreamed of playing the stage at the legendary Ryman Auditorium.…
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