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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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