Songwriting
SongTown: 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 MoreSongwriters: Don’t Focus On The Songwriting Summit!
Songwriting can be a wonderfully, beautifully frustrating pursuit. But it can be especially maddening if your singular goal is something outside of your control like focus on the songwriting summit. So, let’s say your obsession and songwriting summit is a Bruno Mars cut… There are several reasons that you are going to likely spend 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 MoreThe Single Biggest Distinction Between Pro And Amateur Songwriters
In my mind, the single biggest distinction between pro and amateur writers is their way of thinking. Here are some of the most significant differences I’ve seen over the years in my day to day life as a full-time staff songwriter: 1. Amateurs think “Somebody is going to steal my song.” Pros think, “I’m going to…
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 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 MorePut Yourself In Position To Succeed In Songwriting
Many writers that I mentor struggle with the idea of getting themselves in position to succeed. In fact, I see two extremes play out. Sometimes writers adopt the idea that “all I have to do is write a great song”. Others go to the extreme of trying desperately to “meet the right people” while ignoring…
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 More5 Lyric Pitfalls For Songwriters
These are the 5 most common lyric mistakes I see songwriters making over and over… 1. Saying the same thing in the second verse that you said in the first verse. Don’t just re-word the first verse to make verse two. Give me something new. Take the idea to another place. 2. Letting pro-nouns get…
Read MoreA Day Of Practice Songwriting
One day, my friend Danny Wells and I wrote a song. We were really excited about it, so Danny wanted to play it for his publisher. We went in the man’s office and Danny played it live. I could tell as he was playing that the guy didn’t seem like he liked it. When Danny finished, his…
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