10 Melody Mistakes that Peg You as an Amateur Songwriter
In this week’s SongTown Songwriting Podcast episode, multi-hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson, who’ve critiqued thousands of songs at SongTown, break down the 10 most common melody mistakes that peg a songwriter as an amateur. Correct these 10 simple things and you will be quickly writing your best songs! Clay & Marty’s 10-day video…
Read MoreWhen the Door Closes, Knock on Another One
By SongTown Co-founder Marty Dodson Years ago, I was doing everything I could to level up my songwriting career. Like a lot of writers trying to break through, I was chasing every opportunity I could find. And there was one particular songwriter in town who was absolutely on fire—cut after cut, hit after hit. Everyone…
Read MoreMake Your Melodies Hit Harder: 3 Pro Songwriting Tips!
Want your melodies to hit harder and feel more emotional? Clay Mills and Marty Dodson break down 3 pro-level melody moves you can use today—plus a bonus tip—to make your hooks more powerful and your lyric-to-melody fit shine. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you level-up your songs and finish…
Read MoreRejection, Resilience, and Rising Again: What One “No” Taught Me About Songwriting
By SongTown Co-founder Marty Dodson Years ago, I finally worked up the courage to ask a “big” hit songwriter to write with me. I had been grinding away, developing my skills, and building a catalog of songs I was proud of. For the first time, I felt like I could hold my own in a…
Read MoreThe REAL Reasons You Don’t Finish Songs!
If you’ve got a hard drive full of “almost done” songs, this one’s for you. Clay Mills and Marty Dodson break down the real reasons songs stall—perfectionism, fear of failure, no process, and lack of focus—plus practical mindset shifts to help you finish what you start. Want better feedback and a clearer path forward? Come…
Read MoreWhen the Muse Goes Missing: How I Jump-Start Inspiration on “Blah” Days
By SongTown Co-founder Marty Dodson There are days I open a blank Google Doc and feel certain I’ve got nothing left to say. I’ve written all the songs I can possibly write—at least that’s what the voice in my head insists. I’ll pick up my guitar and instead of feeling like an old familiar friend,…
Read MoreLyrics Not Hitting Hard? Do These! (5 Pro Moves)
Want lyrics that land harder and feel more real? In this SongTown Studio lesson, Clay Mills breaks down 5 pro moves that help you write with heart, paint emotion-rich pictures, and keep your message clear. If you’re chasing stronger hooks and a lyric-to-melody fit that connects fast, this one’s for you. Clay & Marty’s 10-day…
Read More7 Ways to Hook Listeners In the First 7 Seconds of Your Song (Pro Tips!)
Hook your listener fast. In this SongTown Podcast, hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share 7 ways to hook listeners in the first 7 seconds—starting with the first vocal line, not the production intro. You’ll get practical songwriting tips from hit songwriters you can use today. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video…
Read MoreThese Songwriting Myths are Holding You Back!
These Songwriting Myths Are Holding You Back, Clay Mills and Marty Dodson bust 5 big beliefs that secretly stall your progress—You’ll hear real-world stories from the writing room, learn how pros actually think about creativity, and pick up practical ways to level up your craft starting today. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video…
Read MoreHARSH SONGWRITING ADVICE! (mostly for newer writers)
In this episode, Clay and Marty share the kind of tough-love truths that helped them go from unknowns to hit songwriters—stuff all writers need to hear but nobody says out loud. We’ll talk originality, “your life is not interesting,” writer’s block, rejection, AI shortcuts, and why excuses are quietly killing your songwriting dreams. If you’re serious about…
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