Posts by Marty Dodson
5 Ways To Get Out of Your Songwriting Comfort Zone
Most songwriters find themselves in a complacent songwriting “comfort zone” from time to time. Personally, I find myself at times resting on a little plateau of my own making. I work really hard for a stretch and then I coast for a bit. When I find myself coasting, here are some things I do to…
Read MoreSongwriting Success After 40 – Is it too late?
What are the realities of songwriting after 40? Are you more creative when you’re young? Is success still possible when you’re 40 and beyond? Multi-hit/Grammy nominated writers Clay Mills and Marty Dodson discuss Songwriting after 40. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you level-up your songs and finish them faster. CLICK…
Read MoreWhy You Should Be Writing More Conversational Lyrics
One of the questions I get most often when I mentor songwriters is “Why does everyone tell me I need to write more conversational lyrics?” While there is no “one size fits all” answer to how your lyrics “should” be written, there is a reason that people give you that advice. When I’m having that…
Read MoreSongs Are My Footprints
I look at the songs I write as footprints. They are what remain of me after I pass through a place. Yesterday, I passed through another day of writing and I left behind a song that represents ME. Two songs, actually. I poured my heart and soul into them and I’m proud of what I…
Read More12 Pro Re-Writing Tips that Amateur Songwriters MISS!
Multi-hit/Grammy nominated songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share their top 12 checklist for re-writing songs. Great writers know that great songs aren’t written, they’re re-written! 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…
Read MoreWrite The Song In The Room (5 Pro Tips for Next-Level Songwriting)
In this week’s SongTown Songwriting Podcast episode, multi-hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson discuss the “Write The Song In The Room” songwriting technique. Here are 5 tips to lock you into this approach for next-level songwriting and songs. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you level-up your songs and…
Read MoreSync Song vs Single: Great Songwriters Know These 3 Key Differences
In this week’s SongTown Songwriting Podcast episode, multi-hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson, break down the differences in writing a sync song vs a single. Master these to excel in one or both genres! Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you level-up your songs and finish them faster. CLICK HERE to…
Read MoreThe Songwriter’s Achilles Heel
When I first started trying to write as a profession, I talked to my wife (now my ex-wife) and asked for 2 years to chase my dream of becoming a songwriter. She agreed to work part time and I would work part time writing and we would tag-team with the kids. When she worked, I…
Read MoreHow To Write A New Song Every Day
I can’t count the number of times I’ve been asked “How in the world do you come up with a song-a-day – every day?” Learning how to write a new song every day can seem like a daunting task. Here’s how I pull that off… Coming In With Ideas I have a database that includes…
Read MoreHow To Keep Your Song Ideas Organized (Like Pro Songwriters)
Hey SongTown! Marty Dodson here, and today, we’re diving deep into a topic that can make or break your songwriting career—organizing your song ideas, titles, and melodies. If you’ve ever found yourself fumbling through endless voice memos, scrolling through a jumbled mess of notes, or forgetting that one golden idea you had last month, you’re…
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