Songwriting

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Finding Time To Write Songs Even When Life Gets In The Way

John Lennon said it best when he sang… “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans” Therefore in life, where the melodies of family and work often dominate, finding a quiet moment to compose our own music can seem like a distant dream. For the passionate songwriter, these moments are not […]

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How to Write More Instinctually According To Andrea Stolpe

I believe that every problem we feel occurring within our songs can be attributed to three principles of songwriting. Just three. When we use these principles, we can identify possible solutions for these problems based on their underlying principal. Let me explain. In the insightful article “How to Write More Instinctually” by Andrea Stolpe, readers […]

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3 Principles of Songwriting — Andrea Stolpe

Lately I’ve been binge-watching songwriting videos on YouTube. With so many time-tested tools, tips, and expert advice, our best songs should be one chord-tone away. In the article “3 Principles of Songwriting” by Andrea Stolpe, the author shares her insights and reflections on the craft of songwriting, drawing from her extensive experience as a writer […]

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Why You Should Make More Short Songs

Since the 1990s, the average song length has been going down, settling at about 3:15 today, according to The Washington Post. And it may continue to decrease because “social media is nudging song lengths downward.” In the insightful article titled “Why You Should Make More Short Songs” by Caleb J. Murphy, published on February 19, […]

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Songwriting Glossary – Song Chops

A songwriter glossary of common terms you’ll be using as you learn how to write songs can be extremely helpful. And, knowing what specific songwriting terms mean will help you grow as you get feedback on your songs. The article from SongChops serves as a comprehensive glossary for songwriters, detailing common terms used in songwriting. […]

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Don’t Think Genre, Think Personality — Andrea Stolpe

I remember a simpler time, when it was easy to identify the genre of the song streaming through my iPod. When a friend said they liked pop, I knew that meant Madonna and Michael Jackson. Classic rock meant Steve Miller Band or the Cars. In my small world, taste was polarized and listeners less likely […]

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Increase Your Sync Licensing Opportunities | BMI.com

Sync licensing is the great equalizer. If your music fits the scene, it doesn’t matter how old you are, where you live, or how you look. It’s all about the music. The article “Increase Your Sync Licensing” by Jason Blume on BMI.com provides valuable insights for songwriters looking to enhance their opportunities in sync licensing, […]

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A Holiday Songwriting Tool Kit – MY SONG COACH

So, start writing your Christmas songs now. Then you can use the next few months to rewrite, polish, and record your shiny-bright seasonal hits. (For you folks Down Under… you can either write about surf and sand and Santa in December, or immerse yourself in classic holiday movies to get in the mood.) The article […]

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The Top Songwriting Tips From 2023 According To The Weekly | BMI.com

Below are excerpts from some of my articles that have garnered the strongest feedback in the past year. To read the articles in their entirety click on the links. The article “Top Songwriting Tips from 2023” from BMI.com, authored by Jason Blume, offers valuable insights and advice for songwriters. Here’s a summary of the key […]

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Writing Songs That Are Less Predictable

You can take practically any song and move it firmly into one genre or another just by adjusting the way the song is performed, and changing the production decisions of that recording, and it’s actually not that hard to do. Every singer-songwriter possesses a unique style, often reflected in their performance and production choices. This […]