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Music Information |
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Songwriting - The Art of Writing a Good Song
Did you know that good songwriting is often the key to establishing a successful music career? But more than that, it can be fun! When you write a song you are able to express yourself in new and creative ways. Whether you're sad, happy, angry, or in love... with words, you can fly! Freedom of expression is one of the greatest priviledges we have, but with it comes some responsibility. Words are very powerful and have been used successfully by many for better, or worse. When writing a song, consider how your words are going to impact your listener. Do you wish to alienate them, or draw them into your perspective on things? A good song will create an emotional reaction in people, and that's exactly what you're trying to achieve! You want to get your listener to feel with you. You want to move them emotionally. You want them to like your song and be willing to listen to it again and again. If you can get your audience to identify with you on some level, you will be on the road to creating a good song. As you are stirring up your creative juices you may discover that finding just the RIGHT word is sometimes a bit frustrating. But with the RIGHT songwriting tips and resources it becomes a lot easier! Here are three of the most important songwriting tools you should have: 1. DICTIONARY - A dictionary is essential when writing. Besides giving you the correct meaning of a word, it will also help you to express yourself more clearly. You will discover new words while expanding your vocabulary too! 2. THESAURUS - A thesaurus is another important tool to help with creating your songwriting material. You can use a thesaurus to find different words that have similiar meaning. 3. RHYMING DICTIONARY - As the name implies, a rhyming dictionary organizes words that rhyme in alphabetical order using the vowel sounds A E I O U. For example, if you were looking for a word that rhymes with Abel you would look under A sounds. Words rhyming with Abel would be listed in alphabetical order. There isn't really a secret formula for writing a good song because determining what is "good" is subjective and a matter of personal opinion (some great songs have broken all the so called "rules"). However, many successful songwriters have used the following format to write a "Hit" song: INTRO: Approximately 4-8 measures of instrumental music that contains part or all of "the hook" (a part of the melody that is easy to remember). VERSE: Each verse should be written in such a way as to "set up" the chorus. Try to keep the meter of your song even by matching the syllables of your words. Be consistent with the sentences that rhyme. Verses should create an anticipation of fulfillfment. CHORUS: This is where you make your statement. Stress the most important part of your song and make it tasty. Think of your chorus or "hook" as being like the icing on a cake. You want your words to be worth remembering. VERSE: Continue to follow the idea of your song all the way through, don't get side-tracked! CHORUS: This is where you have the opportunity to repeat your "hook" which should continue to emphasize your songs main theme. BRIDGE: This is where you can create some interest and tension by changing your melody line, modulating to a different key, or adding an instrumental guitar part, etc. Don't make it too long, approximately 8 measures or so. It should build or crescendo to the final chorus. FADE CHORUS: This is generally the same as your first chorus, but you will end by repeating it over and over, then gradually fade out to end your song. Use your "hook" generously, but don't over-kill! Be flexible and use your imagination! Don't just copy or mimic what is currently popular. Remember that some of the biggest names in the music business made it to the top because they were not afraid to be ORIGINAL or have a different sound. So, experiment, be yourself, and most of all- have fun! FREE Reprint Rights - You may publish this article in your e-zine or on your web site as long as you include the following information: Kathy Unruh is a singer/songwriter and webmaster of ABC Learn Guitar. She has been writing songs and providing guitar lessons to students of all ages for over 20 years. For free guitar lessons, plus tips and resources on songwriting, recording and creating a music career, please visit: http://www.abclearnguitar.com
MORE RESOURCES: Why I Like Making Music John Scalzi's Whatever Olivia Newton-John’s 10 best songs – sorted! The Guardian Fitbit Discontinues Music Sync – But Wait, It Gets Worse Digital Music News ARCH ENEMY Releases Music Video For 'The Watcher' BLABBERMOUTH.NET The largest YouTube royalties heist in history is just a spotlight on a much larger problem. Mashable Radio Station Responds to Jamey Johnson's Scathing Comments Saving Country Music Sun Valley Music Festival to End with Three Memorable Concerts Eye On Sun Valley Spotify vs. Deezer: Which Music Streaming Service Is Better? MUO - MakeUseOf Lea Desandre Gives a Modern Voice to Early Music The New York Times New Music From Me: “8/13/22 (They Were Not Aware They Had Become Ghosts)” John Scalzi's Whatever Israeli music icon Zvika Pik passes away, age 72 The Jerusalem Post 23rd annual Springfield music festival celebrates Irish music and heritage Western Massachusetts News Five Bands With Music Perfect for Stranger Things Season 5 CBR - Comic Book Resources Gerds/Review: Classical music scene on the mend WeAreGreenBay.com Want Music To Both Trip and Study? Try Post-Rock Study Breaks What's The Best Opening Line In Country Music? Whiskey Riff Photos: Country music fans party it up at Tailgate Fest in Fontana San Bernardino County Sun Ozomatli Headlines Free Concert Live at The Music Center September 3 | The South Pasadenan The South Pasadenan Conducters with controllers: OSU's unique music class | Entertainment | ocolly.com Daily O'Collegian Summer in the South End: An August Roundup of Live Music and Block Parties South Seattle Emerald ‘A Little Night Music’ Review: A Rueful Take at Barrington Stage The New York Times Last week in music industry commentary hypebot.com Gather Around the Midway 'Music at Night' Stage at the SWW Fair for Free Nightly Concerts Centralia Chronicle Phish Dive Into "1999" and "Fluffhead" on Night Two of Alpine Valley Music Theatre Stand in East Troy jambands.com SummerFest 2022 Brings Excitement, Musical Innovation to La Jolla Times of San Diego Spanish-language streaming and music coming to Walla Walla County Rural Library District Walla Walla Union-Bulletin ANTHRAX's CHARLIE BENANTE: 'For Us, The Music Always Came First' BLABBERMOUTH.NET The Composer Who Turns Hayao Miyazaki’s Humane Touch Into Music The New York Times From Woodstock to Coachella: 50 historic music festivals | Entertainment News | wfmz.com 69News WFMZ-TV Environmental advocacy, music blend at second annual 'Honoring the Land' rally in Turners Falls The Recorder Kids are on a mission for music Abilene Reporter-News With 'Bullet Train,' Bad Bunny joins Camila Cabello, Desi Arnaz, Leslie Grace and more as Latin music star to make jump to acting New York Daily News Ari Lennox Stunts In Her “Hoodie” Ratings Game Music A Guide to the Dance Music on Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ The New York Times It's official: New music is SHRINKING in popularity Music Business Worldwide A Proclamation on Black Music Appreciation Month, 2022 The White House Is Old Music Killing New Music? The Atlantic Pop Music's Nostalgia Obsession The Atlantic The music lives on Apple The Best Music of 2021 The New Yorker Jack Antonoff’s Gift for Pop-Music Collaboration The New Yorker ‘Making music is about making assets for social media’: pop stars battle digital burnout The Guardian How music can help kids pay attention and more The Washington Post |
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