Download - Jong's the art and craft of songwriting
The first amp FREE part of the workshop series by
Jong Azores
Former Artist amp Repertoire Manager
The Art amp Craft of Songwriting
A songwriter is an individual who writes
both the lyrics and music to a song
Someone who solely writes lyrics may be
called a lyricist and someone who only
writes music may be called a composer
The Songwriter
As an Art
skill acquired by experience study or
observation the conscious use of skill
and creative imagination especially in
the production of aesthetic objects
(merriam-webstercom)
As a craft
skill in planning making or executing
(merriam-webstercom)
Not all songwriters have formal musical
training
There are those who do not even know
how to play any musical instrument
The Songwriters
words + music = a song Great lyrics + great music = Hit Song
A great lyric is simply a mix of easy nice words revolving around an interesting topic Rhyming is nice what matters most is the flow of the words
Great music means simple catchy melody and well-structured chord patterns
Music + Lyrics need to be put into a concrete Song Structure
Lyrics is not always poetry where there are rules of meter amp rhyme Lyrics are the words that fit the music nicely and neatly that may result to have amazing metaphors or glamorous word combinations It is extremely important that the lyrics be confined in an
interesting topic Topic is the subject matter of the song
1 Include the title in the chorus
2 Make sure the chorus is a general
explanation of the topic
3 The verses are detailed explanation of
the chorus
4 Use the language you are confident
with
Some lyrical guidelines
Lyrics that rhyme are the most memorable and the easiest to remember But take care Rhyming too much sounds STUPID and keep in mind that rhyme should come second to meaningNever sacrifice the idea for the sake of a rhyming word and never put stuff together just because they rhyme
Mahmoud Ibrahim (How To Get Started With Songwriting)
Why Rhyme
1 Do you have a specific audience
2 Is there a theme yoursquore trying to get across If so
obviously you need to stick to it
3 If yoursquore going for the story telling option you need to
have a start middle and an end to the story
4 Do you want it to rhyme If so get your thesaurus out
5 Is there a hidden message in your song If so define
it and think about how yoursquore going to convey it to
your audience
Simon Smith
Composing Made Easy
More about lyrics
Give identity to the song
May give those who read a little shock
Maybe something FAMILIAR or a
COMBINATION with other words that
everybody uses but nobody had put
them together before
Maybe words that you are not used to
hearing it
a good melody has a design that makes us feel like
wersquove been taken somewhere
Most songs start in a very understated way
gathering power as they go finishing at a much
higher energy level The majority of songs do this
ldquopower grabrdquo in stages starting at a relatively low
energy level then building toward the chorus
subsiding again in the next verse building toward
the next chorus etc Herersquos a sample (but by no
means definitive) plan
If rhythm is the backbone of a song chords the muscle and lyrics the heart then surely melody is the soul Melody is the element that transcends all else and is remembered before the words are fully comprehended and long after they are forgotten
Melody is the thread that ties a song together If done
poorly every seam will be apparent and it will not hold together for long When sewn together carefully a song becomes a melodic whole with one section flowing seamlessly into the next mdash David Pomeranz
The melody of your song determines how
your chord progression is going to sound
With a chord progression however you
can create a melody
Melody amp Chord Progression
Harmony is the tuneful sound melody the combination of
simultaneous musical notes in a chord
Rhythm is the aspect of music comprising all the elements (as
accent meter and tempo) that relate to forward movement
Good harmony like almost every other aspect of music will
make us feel like wersquore taking a walk around the
neighborhood where we might see something out of the
ordinary but most of what we encounter is pleasantly
predictable
Theory tells us why chords work but not necessarily which
ones to use Creativity has always been up to you
Gary Ewer httpsecretsofsongwritingcom
HarmonyRhythm
Music first bull Melody is defined
bull Chord progression established
Lyrics first bull Poetry
bull Approved copy
Music amp Lyrics at the Same Time
Which comes first
all songs to be successful need a perceivable somewhat simplistic form - Gary Ewer
1 Parts of a Song
A Intro
B Verse
C Pre-chorus Refrain
D Chorus
E Interlude
F Bridge
a) provide additional melodic material reducing the risk of melodic
boredom
b) intensify melodic and lyric energy
G Outro
2 Combinations of these parts
Form The Song Structure
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
A songwriter is an individual who writes
both the lyrics and music to a song
Someone who solely writes lyrics may be
called a lyricist and someone who only
writes music may be called a composer
The Songwriter
As an Art
skill acquired by experience study or
observation the conscious use of skill
and creative imagination especially in
the production of aesthetic objects
(merriam-webstercom)
As a craft
skill in planning making or executing
(merriam-webstercom)
Not all songwriters have formal musical
training
There are those who do not even know
how to play any musical instrument
The Songwriters
words + music = a song Great lyrics + great music = Hit Song
A great lyric is simply a mix of easy nice words revolving around an interesting topic Rhyming is nice what matters most is the flow of the words
Great music means simple catchy melody and well-structured chord patterns
Music + Lyrics need to be put into a concrete Song Structure
Lyrics is not always poetry where there are rules of meter amp rhyme Lyrics are the words that fit the music nicely and neatly that may result to have amazing metaphors or glamorous word combinations It is extremely important that the lyrics be confined in an
interesting topic Topic is the subject matter of the song
1 Include the title in the chorus
2 Make sure the chorus is a general
explanation of the topic
3 The verses are detailed explanation of
the chorus
4 Use the language you are confident
with
Some lyrical guidelines
Lyrics that rhyme are the most memorable and the easiest to remember But take care Rhyming too much sounds STUPID and keep in mind that rhyme should come second to meaningNever sacrifice the idea for the sake of a rhyming word and never put stuff together just because they rhyme
Mahmoud Ibrahim (How To Get Started With Songwriting)
Why Rhyme
1 Do you have a specific audience
2 Is there a theme yoursquore trying to get across If so
obviously you need to stick to it
3 If yoursquore going for the story telling option you need to
have a start middle and an end to the story
4 Do you want it to rhyme If so get your thesaurus out
5 Is there a hidden message in your song If so define
it and think about how yoursquore going to convey it to
your audience
Simon Smith
Composing Made Easy
More about lyrics
Give identity to the song
May give those who read a little shock
Maybe something FAMILIAR or a
COMBINATION with other words that
everybody uses but nobody had put
them together before
Maybe words that you are not used to
hearing it
a good melody has a design that makes us feel like
wersquove been taken somewhere
Most songs start in a very understated way
gathering power as they go finishing at a much
higher energy level The majority of songs do this
ldquopower grabrdquo in stages starting at a relatively low
energy level then building toward the chorus
subsiding again in the next verse building toward
the next chorus etc Herersquos a sample (but by no
means definitive) plan
If rhythm is the backbone of a song chords the muscle and lyrics the heart then surely melody is the soul Melody is the element that transcends all else and is remembered before the words are fully comprehended and long after they are forgotten
Melody is the thread that ties a song together If done
poorly every seam will be apparent and it will not hold together for long When sewn together carefully a song becomes a melodic whole with one section flowing seamlessly into the next mdash David Pomeranz
The melody of your song determines how
your chord progression is going to sound
With a chord progression however you
can create a melody
Melody amp Chord Progression
Harmony is the tuneful sound melody the combination of
simultaneous musical notes in a chord
Rhythm is the aspect of music comprising all the elements (as
accent meter and tempo) that relate to forward movement
Good harmony like almost every other aspect of music will
make us feel like wersquore taking a walk around the
neighborhood where we might see something out of the
ordinary but most of what we encounter is pleasantly
predictable
Theory tells us why chords work but not necessarily which
ones to use Creativity has always been up to you
Gary Ewer httpsecretsofsongwritingcom
HarmonyRhythm
Music first bull Melody is defined
bull Chord progression established
Lyrics first bull Poetry
bull Approved copy
Music amp Lyrics at the Same Time
Which comes first
all songs to be successful need a perceivable somewhat simplistic form - Gary Ewer
1 Parts of a Song
A Intro
B Verse
C Pre-chorus Refrain
D Chorus
E Interlude
F Bridge
a) provide additional melodic material reducing the risk of melodic
boredom
b) intensify melodic and lyric energy
G Outro
2 Combinations of these parts
Form The Song Structure
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
As an Art
skill acquired by experience study or
observation the conscious use of skill
and creative imagination especially in
the production of aesthetic objects
(merriam-webstercom)
As a craft
skill in planning making or executing
(merriam-webstercom)
Not all songwriters have formal musical
training
There are those who do not even know
how to play any musical instrument
The Songwriters
words + music = a song Great lyrics + great music = Hit Song
A great lyric is simply a mix of easy nice words revolving around an interesting topic Rhyming is nice what matters most is the flow of the words
Great music means simple catchy melody and well-structured chord patterns
Music + Lyrics need to be put into a concrete Song Structure
Lyrics is not always poetry where there are rules of meter amp rhyme Lyrics are the words that fit the music nicely and neatly that may result to have amazing metaphors or glamorous word combinations It is extremely important that the lyrics be confined in an
interesting topic Topic is the subject matter of the song
1 Include the title in the chorus
2 Make sure the chorus is a general
explanation of the topic
3 The verses are detailed explanation of
the chorus
4 Use the language you are confident
with
Some lyrical guidelines
Lyrics that rhyme are the most memorable and the easiest to remember But take care Rhyming too much sounds STUPID and keep in mind that rhyme should come second to meaningNever sacrifice the idea for the sake of a rhyming word and never put stuff together just because they rhyme
Mahmoud Ibrahim (How To Get Started With Songwriting)
Why Rhyme
1 Do you have a specific audience
2 Is there a theme yoursquore trying to get across If so
obviously you need to stick to it
3 If yoursquore going for the story telling option you need to
have a start middle and an end to the story
4 Do you want it to rhyme If so get your thesaurus out
5 Is there a hidden message in your song If so define
it and think about how yoursquore going to convey it to
your audience
Simon Smith
Composing Made Easy
More about lyrics
Give identity to the song
May give those who read a little shock
Maybe something FAMILIAR or a
COMBINATION with other words that
everybody uses but nobody had put
them together before
Maybe words that you are not used to
hearing it
a good melody has a design that makes us feel like
wersquove been taken somewhere
Most songs start in a very understated way
gathering power as they go finishing at a much
higher energy level The majority of songs do this
ldquopower grabrdquo in stages starting at a relatively low
energy level then building toward the chorus
subsiding again in the next verse building toward
the next chorus etc Herersquos a sample (but by no
means definitive) plan
If rhythm is the backbone of a song chords the muscle and lyrics the heart then surely melody is the soul Melody is the element that transcends all else and is remembered before the words are fully comprehended and long after they are forgotten
Melody is the thread that ties a song together If done
poorly every seam will be apparent and it will not hold together for long When sewn together carefully a song becomes a melodic whole with one section flowing seamlessly into the next mdash David Pomeranz
The melody of your song determines how
your chord progression is going to sound
With a chord progression however you
can create a melody
Melody amp Chord Progression
Harmony is the tuneful sound melody the combination of
simultaneous musical notes in a chord
Rhythm is the aspect of music comprising all the elements (as
accent meter and tempo) that relate to forward movement
Good harmony like almost every other aspect of music will
make us feel like wersquore taking a walk around the
neighborhood where we might see something out of the
ordinary but most of what we encounter is pleasantly
predictable
Theory tells us why chords work but not necessarily which
ones to use Creativity has always been up to you
Gary Ewer httpsecretsofsongwritingcom
HarmonyRhythm
Music first bull Melody is defined
bull Chord progression established
Lyrics first bull Poetry
bull Approved copy
Music amp Lyrics at the Same Time
Which comes first
all songs to be successful need a perceivable somewhat simplistic form - Gary Ewer
1 Parts of a Song
A Intro
B Verse
C Pre-chorus Refrain
D Chorus
E Interlude
F Bridge
a) provide additional melodic material reducing the risk of melodic
boredom
b) intensify melodic and lyric energy
G Outro
2 Combinations of these parts
Form The Song Structure
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
Not all songwriters have formal musical
training
There are those who do not even know
how to play any musical instrument
The Songwriters
words + music = a song Great lyrics + great music = Hit Song
A great lyric is simply a mix of easy nice words revolving around an interesting topic Rhyming is nice what matters most is the flow of the words
Great music means simple catchy melody and well-structured chord patterns
Music + Lyrics need to be put into a concrete Song Structure
Lyrics is not always poetry where there are rules of meter amp rhyme Lyrics are the words that fit the music nicely and neatly that may result to have amazing metaphors or glamorous word combinations It is extremely important that the lyrics be confined in an
interesting topic Topic is the subject matter of the song
1 Include the title in the chorus
2 Make sure the chorus is a general
explanation of the topic
3 The verses are detailed explanation of
the chorus
4 Use the language you are confident
with
Some lyrical guidelines
Lyrics that rhyme are the most memorable and the easiest to remember But take care Rhyming too much sounds STUPID and keep in mind that rhyme should come second to meaningNever sacrifice the idea for the sake of a rhyming word and never put stuff together just because they rhyme
Mahmoud Ibrahim (How To Get Started With Songwriting)
Why Rhyme
1 Do you have a specific audience
2 Is there a theme yoursquore trying to get across If so
obviously you need to stick to it
3 If yoursquore going for the story telling option you need to
have a start middle and an end to the story
4 Do you want it to rhyme If so get your thesaurus out
5 Is there a hidden message in your song If so define
it and think about how yoursquore going to convey it to
your audience
Simon Smith
Composing Made Easy
More about lyrics
Give identity to the song
May give those who read a little shock
Maybe something FAMILIAR or a
COMBINATION with other words that
everybody uses but nobody had put
them together before
Maybe words that you are not used to
hearing it
a good melody has a design that makes us feel like
wersquove been taken somewhere
Most songs start in a very understated way
gathering power as they go finishing at a much
higher energy level The majority of songs do this
ldquopower grabrdquo in stages starting at a relatively low
energy level then building toward the chorus
subsiding again in the next verse building toward
the next chorus etc Herersquos a sample (but by no
means definitive) plan
If rhythm is the backbone of a song chords the muscle and lyrics the heart then surely melody is the soul Melody is the element that transcends all else and is remembered before the words are fully comprehended and long after they are forgotten
Melody is the thread that ties a song together If done
poorly every seam will be apparent and it will not hold together for long When sewn together carefully a song becomes a melodic whole with one section flowing seamlessly into the next mdash David Pomeranz
The melody of your song determines how
your chord progression is going to sound
With a chord progression however you
can create a melody
Melody amp Chord Progression
Harmony is the tuneful sound melody the combination of
simultaneous musical notes in a chord
Rhythm is the aspect of music comprising all the elements (as
accent meter and tempo) that relate to forward movement
Good harmony like almost every other aspect of music will
make us feel like wersquore taking a walk around the
neighborhood where we might see something out of the
ordinary but most of what we encounter is pleasantly
predictable
Theory tells us why chords work but not necessarily which
ones to use Creativity has always been up to you
Gary Ewer httpsecretsofsongwritingcom
HarmonyRhythm
Music first bull Melody is defined
bull Chord progression established
Lyrics first bull Poetry
bull Approved copy
Music amp Lyrics at the Same Time
Which comes first
all songs to be successful need a perceivable somewhat simplistic form - Gary Ewer
1 Parts of a Song
A Intro
B Verse
C Pre-chorus Refrain
D Chorus
E Interlude
F Bridge
a) provide additional melodic material reducing the risk of melodic
boredom
b) intensify melodic and lyric energy
G Outro
2 Combinations of these parts
Form The Song Structure
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
words + music = a song Great lyrics + great music = Hit Song
A great lyric is simply a mix of easy nice words revolving around an interesting topic Rhyming is nice what matters most is the flow of the words
Great music means simple catchy melody and well-structured chord patterns
Music + Lyrics need to be put into a concrete Song Structure
Lyrics is not always poetry where there are rules of meter amp rhyme Lyrics are the words that fit the music nicely and neatly that may result to have amazing metaphors or glamorous word combinations It is extremely important that the lyrics be confined in an
interesting topic Topic is the subject matter of the song
1 Include the title in the chorus
2 Make sure the chorus is a general
explanation of the topic
3 The verses are detailed explanation of
the chorus
4 Use the language you are confident
with
Some lyrical guidelines
Lyrics that rhyme are the most memorable and the easiest to remember But take care Rhyming too much sounds STUPID and keep in mind that rhyme should come second to meaningNever sacrifice the idea for the sake of a rhyming word and never put stuff together just because they rhyme
Mahmoud Ibrahim (How To Get Started With Songwriting)
Why Rhyme
1 Do you have a specific audience
2 Is there a theme yoursquore trying to get across If so
obviously you need to stick to it
3 If yoursquore going for the story telling option you need to
have a start middle and an end to the story
4 Do you want it to rhyme If so get your thesaurus out
5 Is there a hidden message in your song If so define
it and think about how yoursquore going to convey it to
your audience
Simon Smith
Composing Made Easy
More about lyrics
Give identity to the song
May give those who read a little shock
Maybe something FAMILIAR or a
COMBINATION with other words that
everybody uses but nobody had put
them together before
Maybe words that you are not used to
hearing it
a good melody has a design that makes us feel like
wersquove been taken somewhere
Most songs start in a very understated way
gathering power as they go finishing at a much
higher energy level The majority of songs do this
ldquopower grabrdquo in stages starting at a relatively low
energy level then building toward the chorus
subsiding again in the next verse building toward
the next chorus etc Herersquos a sample (but by no
means definitive) plan
If rhythm is the backbone of a song chords the muscle and lyrics the heart then surely melody is the soul Melody is the element that transcends all else and is remembered before the words are fully comprehended and long after they are forgotten
Melody is the thread that ties a song together If done
poorly every seam will be apparent and it will not hold together for long When sewn together carefully a song becomes a melodic whole with one section flowing seamlessly into the next mdash David Pomeranz
The melody of your song determines how
your chord progression is going to sound
With a chord progression however you
can create a melody
Melody amp Chord Progression
Harmony is the tuneful sound melody the combination of
simultaneous musical notes in a chord
Rhythm is the aspect of music comprising all the elements (as
accent meter and tempo) that relate to forward movement
Good harmony like almost every other aspect of music will
make us feel like wersquore taking a walk around the
neighborhood where we might see something out of the
ordinary but most of what we encounter is pleasantly
predictable
Theory tells us why chords work but not necessarily which
ones to use Creativity has always been up to you
Gary Ewer httpsecretsofsongwritingcom
HarmonyRhythm
Music first bull Melody is defined
bull Chord progression established
Lyrics first bull Poetry
bull Approved copy
Music amp Lyrics at the Same Time
Which comes first
all songs to be successful need a perceivable somewhat simplistic form - Gary Ewer
1 Parts of a Song
A Intro
B Verse
C Pre-chorus Refrain
D Chorus
E Interlude
F Bridge
a) provide additional melodic material reducing the risk of melodic
boredom
b) intensify melodic and lyric energy
G Outro
2 Combinations of these parts
Form The Song Structure
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
Lyrics is not always poetry where there are rules of meter amp rhyme Lyrics are the words that fit the music nicely and neatly that may result to have amazing metaphors or glamorous word combinations It is extremely important that the lyrics be confined in an
interesting topic Topic is the subject matter of the song
1 Include the title in the chorus
2 Make sure the chorus is a general
explanation of the topic
3 The verses are detailed explanation of
the chorus
4 Use the language you are confident
with
Some lyrical guidelines
Lyrics that rhyme are the most memorable and the easiest to remember But take care Rhyming too much sounds STUPID and keep in mind that rhyme should come second to meaningNever sacrifice the idea for the sake of a rhyming word and never put stuff together just because they rhyme
Mahmoud Ibrahim (How To Get Started With Songwriting)
Why Rhyme
1 Do you have a specific audience
2 Is there a theme yoursquore trying to get across If so
obviously you need to stick to it
3 If yoursquore going for the story telling option you need to
have a start middle and an end to the story
4 Do you want it to rhyme If so get your thesaurus out
5 Is there a hidden message in your song If so define
it and think about how yoursquore going to convey it to
your audience
Simon Smith
Composing Made Easy
More about lyrics
Give identity to the song
May give those who read a little shock
Maybe something FAMILIAR or a
COMBINATION with other words that
everybody uses but nobody had put
them together before
Maybe words that you are not used to
hearing it
a good melody has a design that makes us feel like
wersquove been taken somewhere
Most songs start in a very understated way
gathering power as they go finishing at a much
higher energy level The majority of songs do this
ldquopower grabrdquo in stages starting at a relatively low
energy level then building toward the chorus
subsiding again in the next verse building toward
the next chorus etc Herersquos a sample (but by no
means definitive) plan
If rhythm is the backbone of a song chords the muscle and lyrics the heart then surely melody is the soul Melody is the element that transcends all else and is remembered before the words are fully comprehended and long after they are forgotten
Melody is the thread that ties a song together If done
poorly every seam will be apparent and it will not hold together for long When sewn together carefully a song becomes a melodic whole with one section flowing seamlessly into the next mdash David Pomeranz
The melody of your song determines how
your chord progression is going to sound
With a chord progression however you
can create a melody
Melody amp Chord Progression
Harmony is the tuneful sound melody the combination of
simultaneous musical notes in a chord
Rhythm is the aspect of music comprising all the elements (as
accent meter and tempo) that relate to forward movement
Good harmony like almost every other aspect of music will
make us feel like wersquore taking a walk around the
neighborhood where we might see something out of the
ordinary but most of what we encounter is pleasantly
predictable
Theory tells us why chords work but not necessarily which
ones to use Creativity has always been up to you
Gary Ewer httpsecretsofsongwritingcom
HarmonyRhythm
Music first bull Melody is defined
bull Chord progression established
Lyrics first bull Poetry
bull Approved copy
Music amp Lyrics at the Same Time
Which comes first
all songs to be successful need a perceivable somewhat simplistic form - Gary Ewer
1 Parts of a Song
A Intro
B Verse
C Pre-chorus Refrain
D Chorus
E Interlude
F Bridge
a) provide additional melodic material reducing the risk of melodic
boredom
b) intensify melodic and lyric energy
G Outro
2 Combinations of these parts
Form The Song Structure
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
1 Include the title in the chorus
2 Make sure the chorus is a general
explanation of the topic
3 The verses are detailed explanation of
the chorus
4 Use the language you are confident
with
Some lyrical guidelines
Lyrics that rhyme are the most memorable and the easiest to remember But take care Rhyming too much sounds STUPID and keep in mind that rhyme should come second to meaningNever sacrifice the idea for the sake of a rhyming word and never put stuff together just because they rhyme
Mahmoud Ibrahim (How To Get Started With Songwriting)
Why Rhyme
1 Do you have a specific audience
2 Is there a theme yoursquore trying to get across If so
obviously you need to stick to it
3 If yoursquore going for the story telling option you need to
have a start middle and an end to the story
4 Do you want it to rhyme If so get your thesaurus out
5 Is there a hidden message in your song If so define
it and think about how yoursquore going to convey it to
your audience
Simon Smith
Composing Made Easy
More about lyrics
Give identity to the song
May give those who read a little shock
Maybe something FAMILIAR or a
COMBINATION with other words that
everybody uses but nobody had put
them together before
Maybe words that you are not used to
hearing it
a good melody has a design that makes us feel like
wersquove been taken somewhere
Most songs start in a very understated way
gathering power as they go finishing at a much
higher energy level The majority of songs do this
ldquopower grabrdquo in stages starting at a relatively low
energy level then building toward the chorus
subsiding again in the next verse building toward
the next chorus etc Herersquos a sample (but by no
means definitive) plan
If rhythm is the backbone of a song chords the muscle and lyrics the heart then surely melody is the soul Melody is the element that transcends all else and is remembered before the words are fully comprehended and long after they are forgotten
Melody is the thread that ties a song together If done
poorly every seam will be apparent and it will not hold together for long When sewn together carefully a song becomes a melodic whole with one section flowing seamlessly into the next mdash David Pomeranz
The melody of your song determines how
your chord progression is going to sound
With a chord progression however you
can create a melody
Melody amp Chord Progression
Harmony is the tuneful sound melody the combination of
simultaneous musical notes in a chord
Rhythm is the aspect of music comprising all the elements (as
accent meter and tempo) that relate to forward movement
Good harmony like almost every other aspect of music will
make us feel like wersquore taking a walk around the
neighborhood where we might see something out of the
ordinary but most of what we encounter is pleasantly
predictable
Theory tells us why chords work but not necessarily which
ones to use Creativity has always been up to you
Gary Ewer httpsecretsofsongwritingcom
HarmonyRhythm
Music first bull Melody is defined
bull Chord progression established
Lyrics first bull Poetry
bull Approved copy
Music amp Lyrics at the Same Time
Which comes first
all songs to be successful need a perceivable somewhat simplistic form - Gary Ewer
1 Parts of a Song
A Intro
B Verse
C Pre-chorus Refrain
D Chorus
E Interlude
F Bridge
a) provide additional melodic material reducing the risk of melodic
boredom
b) intensify melodic and lyric energy
G Outro
2 Combinations of these parts
Form The Song Structure
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
Lyrics that rhyme are the most memorable and the easiest to remember But take care Rhyming too much sounds STUPID and keep in mind that rhyme should come second to meaningNever sacrifice the idea for the sake of a rhyming word and never put stuff together just because they rhyme
Mahmoud Ibrahim (How To Get Started With Songwriting)
Why Rhyme
1 Do you have a specific audience
2 Is there a theme yoursquore trying to get across If so
obviously you need to stick to it
3 If yoursquore going for the story telling option you need to
have a start middle and an end to the story
4 Do you want it to rhyme If so get your thesaurus out
5 Is there a hidden message in your song If so define
it and think about how yoursquore going to convey it to
your audience
Simon Smith
Composing Made Easy
More about lyrics
Give identity to the song
May give those who read a little shock
Maybe something FAMILIAR or a
COMBINATION with other words that
everybody uses but nobody had put
them together before
Maybe words that you are not used to
hearing it
a good melody has a design that makes us feel like
wersquove been taken somewhere
Most songs start in a very understated way
gathering power as they go finishing at a much
higher energy level The majority of songs do this
ldquopower grabrdquo in stages starting at a relatively low
energy level then building toward the chorus
subsiding again in the next verse building toward
the next chorus etc Herersquos a sample (but by no
means definitive) plan
If rhythm is the backbone of a song chords the muscle and lyrics the heart then surely melody is the soul Melody is the element that transcends all else and is remembered before the words are fully comprehended and long after they are forgotten
Melody is the thread that ties a song together If done
poorly every seam will be apparent and it will not hold together for long When sewn together carefully a song becomes a melodic whole with one section flowing seamlessly into the next mdash David Pomeranz
The melody of your song determines how
your chord progression is going to sound
With a chord progression however you
can create a melody
Melody amp Chord Progression
Harmony is the tuneful sound melody the combination of
simultaneous musical notes in a chord
Rhythm is the aspect of music comprising all the elements (as
accent meter and tempo) that relate to forward movement
Good harmony like almost every other aspect of music will
make us feel like wersquore taking a walk around the
neighborhood where we might see something out of the
ordinary but most of what we encounter is pleasantly
predictable
Theory tells us why chords work but not necessarily which
ones to use Creativity has always been up to you
Gary Ewer httpsecretsofsongwritingcom
HarmonyRhythm
Music first bull Melody is defined
bull Chord progression established
Lyrics first bull Poetry
bull Approved copy
Music amp Lyrics at the Same Time
Which comes first
all songs to be successful need a perceivable somewhat simplistic form - Gary Ewer
1 Parts of a Song
A Intro
B Verse
C Pre-chorus Refrain
D Chorus
E Interlude
F Bridge
a) provide additional melodic material reducing the risk of melodic
boredom
b) intensify melodic and lyric energy
G Outro
2 Combinations of these parts
Form The Song Structure
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
1 Do you have a specific audience
2 Is there a theme yoursquore trying to get across If so
obviously you need to stick to it
3 If yoursquore going for the story telling option you need to
have a start middle and an end to the story
4 Do you want it to rhyme If so get your thesaurus out
5 Is there a hidden message in your song If so define
it and think about how yoursquore going to convey it to
your audience
Simon Smith
Composing Made Easy
More about lyrics
Give identity to the song
May give those who read a little shock
Maybe something FAMILIAR or a
COMBINATION with other words that
everybody uses but nobody had put
them together before
Maybe words that you are not used to
hearing it
a good melody has a design that makes us feel like
wersquove been taken somewhere
Most songs start in a very understated way
gathering power as they go finishing at a much
higher energy level The majority of songs do this
ldquopower grabrdquo in stages starting at a relatively low
energy level then building toward the chorus
subsiding again in the next verse building toward
the next chorus etc Herersquos a sample (but by no
means definitive) plan
If rhythm is the backbone of a song chords the muscle and lyrics the heart then surely melody is the soul Melody is the element that transcends all else and is remembered before the words are fully comprehended and long after they are forgotten
Melody is the thread that ties a song together If done
poorly every seam will be apparent and it will not hold together for long When sewn together carefully a song becomes a melodic whole with one section flowing seamlessly into the next mdash David Pomeranz
The melody of your song determines how
your chord progression is going to sound
With a chord progression however you
can create a melody
Melody amp Chord Progression
Harmony is the tuneful sound melody the combination of
simultaneous musical notes in a chord
Rhythm is the aspect of music comprising all the elements (as
accent meter and tempo) that relate to forward movement
Good harmony like almost every other aspect of music will
make us feel like wersquore taking a walk around the
neighborhood where we might see something out of the
ordinary but most of what we encounter is pleasantly
predictable
Theory tells us why chords work but not necessarily which
ones to use Creativity has always been up to you
Gary Ewer httpsecretsofsongwritingcom
HarmonyRhythm
Music first bull Melody is defined
bull Chord progression established
Lyrics first bull Poetry
bull Approved copy
Music amp Lyrics at the Same Time
Which comes first
all songs to be successful need a perceivable somewhat simplistic form - Gary Ewer
1 Parts of a Song
A Intro
B Verse
C Pre-chorus Refrain
D Chorus
E Interlude
F Bridge
a) provide additional melodic material reducing the risk of melodic
boredom
b) intensify melodic and lyric energy
G Outro
2 Combinations of these parts
Form The Song Structure
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
Give identity to the song
May give those who read a little shock
Maybe something FAMILIAR or a
COMBINATION with other words that
everybody uses but nobody had put
them together before
Maybe words that you are not used to
hearing it
a good melody has a design that makes us feel like
wersquove been taken somewhere
Most songs start in a very understated way
gathering power as they go finishing at a much
higher energy level The majority of songs do this
ldquopower grabrdquo in stages starting at a relatively low
energy level then building toward the chorus
subsiding again in the next verse building toward
the next chorus etc Herersquos a sample (but by no
means definitive) plan
If rhythm is the backbone of a song chords the muscle and lyrics the heart then surely melody is the soul Melody is the element that transcends all else and is remembered before the words are fully comprehended and long after they are forgotten
Melody is the thread that ties a song together If done
poorly every seam will be apparent and it will not hold together for long When sewn together carefully a song becomes a melodic whole with one section flowing seamlessly into the next mdash David Pomeranz
The melody of your song determines how
your chord progression is going to sound
With a chord progression however you
can create a melody
Melody amp Chord Progression
Harmony is the tuneful sound melody the combination of
simultaneous musical notes in a chord
Rhythm is the aspect of music comprising all the elements (as
accent meter and tempo) that relate to forward movement
Good harmony like almost every other aspect of music will
make us feel like wersquore taking a walk around the
neighborhood where we might see something out of the
ordinary but most of what we encounter is pleasantly
predictable
Theory tells us why chords work but not necessarily which
ones to use Creativity has always been up to you
Gary Ewer httpsecretsofsongwritingcom
HarmonyRhythm
Music first bull Melody is defined
bull Chord progression established
Lyrics first bull Poetry
bull Approved copy
Music amp Lyrics at the Same Time
Which comes first
all songs to be successful need a perceivable somewhat simplistic form - Gary Ewer
1 Parts of a Song
A Intro
B Verse
C Pre-chorus Refrain
D Chorus
E Interlude
F Bridge
a) provide additional melodic material reducing the risk of melodic
boredom
b) intensify melodic and lyric energy
G Outro
2 Combinations of these parts
Form The Song Structure
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
a good melody has a design that makes us feel like
wersquove been taken somewhere
Most songs start in a very understated way
gathering power as they go finishing at a much
higher energy level The majority of songs do this
ldquopower grabrdquo in stages starting at a relatively low
energy level then building toward the chorus
subsiding again in the next verse building toward
the next chorus etc Herersquos a sample (but by no
means definitive) plan
If rhythm is the backbone of a song chords the muscle and lyrics the heart then surely melody is the soul Melody is the element that transcends all else and is remembered before the words are fully comprehended and long after they are forgotten
Melody is the thread that ties a song together If done
poorly every seam will be apparent and it will not hold together for long When sewn together carefully a song becomes a melodic whole with one section flowing seamlessly into the next mdash David Pomeranz
The melody of your song determines how
your chord progression is going to sound
With a chord progression however you
can create a melody
Melody amp Chord Progression
Harmony is the tuneful sound melody the combination of
simultaneous musical notes in a chord
Rhythm is the aspect of music comprising all the elements (as
accent meter and tempo) that relate to forward movement
Good harmony like almost every other aspect of music will
make us feel like wersquore taking a walk around the
neighborhood where we might see something out of the
ordinary but most of what we encounter is pleasantly
predictable
Theory tells us why chords work but not necessarily which
ones to use Creativity has always been up to you
Gary Ewer httpsecretsofsongwritingcom
HarmonyRhythm
Music first bull Melody is defined
bull Chord progression established
Lyrics first bull Poetry
bull Approved copy
Music amp Lyrics at the Same Time
Which comes first
all songs to be successful need a perceivable somewhat simplistic form - Gary Ewer
1 Parts of a Song
A Intro
B Verse
C Pre-chorus Refrain
D Chorus
E Interlude
F Bridge
a) provide additional melodic material reducing the risk of melodic
boredom
b) intensify melodic and lyric energy
G Outro
2 Combinations of these parts
Form The Song Structure
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
If rhythm is the backbone of a song chords the muscle and lyrics the heart then surely melody is the soul Melody is the element that transcends all else and is remembered before the words are fully comprehended and long after they are forgotten
Melody is the thread that ties a song together If done
poorly every seam will be apparent and it will not hold together for long When sewn together carefully a song becomes a melodic whole with one section flowing seamlessly into the next mdash David Pomeranz
The melody of your song determines how
your chord progression is going to sound
With a chord progression however you
can create a melody
Melody amp Chord Progression
Harmony is the tuneful sound melody the combination of
simultaneous musical notes in a chord
Rhythm is the aspect of music comprising all the elements (as
accent meter and tempo) that relate to forward movement
Good harmony like almost every other aspect of music will
make us feel like wersquore taking a walk around the
neighborhood where we might see something out of the
ordinary but most of what we encounter is pleasantly
predictable
Theory tells us why chords work but not necessarily which
ones to use Creativity has always been up to you
Gary Ewer httpsecretsofsongwritingcom
HarmonyRhythm
Music first bull Melody is defined
bull Chord progression established
Lyrics first bull Poetry
bull Approved copy
Music amp Lyrics at the Same Time
Which comes first
all songs to be successful need a perceivable somewhat simplistic form - Gary Ewer
1 Parts of a Song
A Intro
B Verse
C Pre-chorus Refrain
D Chorus
E Interlude
F Bridge
a) provide additional melodic material reducing the risk of melodic
boredom
b) intensify melodic and lyric energy
G Outro
2 Combinations of these parts
Form The Song Structure
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
The melody of your song determines how
your chord progression is going to sound
With a chord progression however you
can create a melody
Melody amp Chord Progression
Harmony is the tuneful sound melody the combination of
simultaneous musical notes in a chord
Rhythm is the aspect of music comprising all the elements (as
accent meter and tempo) that relate to forward movement
Good harmony like almost every other aspect of music will
make us feel like wersquore taking a walk around the
neighborhood where we might see something out of the
ordinary but most of what we encounter is pleasantly
predictable
Theory tells us why chords work but not necessarily which
ones to use Creativity has always been up to you
Gary Ewer httpsecretsofsongwritingcom
HarmonyRhythm
Music first bull Melody is defined
bull Chord progression established
Lyrics first bull Poetry
bull Approved copy
Music amp Lyrics at the Same Time
Which comes first
all songs to be successful need a perceivable somewhat simplistic form - Gary Ewer
1 Parts of a Song
A Intro
B Verse
C Pre-chorus Refrain
D Chorus
E Interlude
F Bridge
a) provide additional melodic material reducing the risk of melodic
boredom
b) intensify melodic and lyric energy
G Outro
2 Combinations of these parts
Form The Song Structure
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
Harmony is the tuneful sound melody the combination of
simultaneous musical notes in a chord
Rhythm is the aspect of music comprising all the elements (as
accent meter and tempo) that relate to forward movement
Good harmony like almost every other aspect of music will
make us feel like wersquore taking a walk around the
neighborhood where we might see something out of the
ordinary but most of what we encounter is pleasantly
predictable
Theory tells us why chords work but not necessarily which
ones to use Creativity has always been up to you
Gary Ewer httpsecretsofsongwritingcom
HarmonyRhythm
Music first bull Melody is defined
bull Chord progression established
Lyrics first bull Poetry
bull Approved copy
Music amp Lyrics at the Same Time
Which comes first
all songs to be successful need a perceivable somewhat simplistic form - Gary Ewer
1 Parts of a Song
A Intro
B Verse
C Pre-chorus Refrain
D Chorus
E Interlude
F Bridge
a) provide additional melodic material reducing the risk of melodic
boredom
b) intensify melodic and lyric energy
G Outro
2 Combinations of these parts
Form The Song Structure
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
Music first bull Melody is defined
bull Chord progression established
Lyrics first bull Poetry
bull Approved copy
Music amp Lyrics at the Same Time
Which comes first
all songs to be successful need a perceivable somewhat simplistic form - Gary Ewer
1 Parts of a Song
A Intro
B Verse
C Pre-chorus Refrain
D Chorus
E Interlude
F Bridge
a) provide additional melodic material reducing the risk of melodic
boredom
b) intensify melodic and lyric energy
G Outro
2 Combinations of these parts
Form The Song Structure
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
all songs to be successful need a perceivable somewhat simplistic form - Gary Ewer
1 Parts of a Song
A Intro
B Verse
C Pre-chorus Refrain
D Chorus
E Interlude
F Bridge
a) provide additional melodic material reducing the risk of melodic
boredom
b) intensify melodic and lyric energy
G Outro
2 Combinations of these parts
Form The Song Structure
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
The hook was what people sang over and over to themselves after song was done and thatrsquos what you want a hook to do - Gary Ewer
Types of hooks
bull Melodic hook
bull Lyrical hook
bull Musical hook
bull Rhythmic hook
bull Sound-effect hook
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
You Can Always
Change Your Song
Later
Just Get Started
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
1 Have a notebook with you at all times
2 Have a digital recorder with you at all
times
3 Ask people what they think about your
creations
4 Keep your hit ideas organized
5 Practice
- Mahmoud Ibrahim
6 Experiment
Songwritersrsquo Habits
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
1 Find a message you feel passionate about Write about your
interests amp what you know Keep it simple
2 Find a simple melody Songwriters are not paid by the note
Often the easiest melodies are the longest lasting
3 Find the chords If you canrsquot play an instrument record your song
and find an accompanist later
4 Find a place to write Find a quiet peaceful setting to clear your
mind and let the melodies and emotions flow
5 Hear whatrsquos in your head Imagine how your finished song will
sound like
6 Find the confidence to put your heart and soul on the line and
share your song with others Learn from the feedbacks to
improve your songs Take it all in but before making any
changes always consult your heart for the truth
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
Itrsquos time to
make a Demo
Recording
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session
The Business of
Songwriting
See You Next Session