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songwriting

Songwriting and writers block

Songwriting and writer’s block: 11 tips to help the songwriter get unstuck

February 4, 2023February 5, 2023 Michael Gallant

What do you do when you hit a wall when you’re writing a song? Here are tips from experienced songwriters to help you overcome writer’s block. Read the post.

four takes on big yellow taxi

Anatomy of a cover song: Four takes on “Big Yellow Taxi”

January 20, 2023January 20, 2023 Keith Hatschek

So you picked a cover song, now what? Rather than copying the original version note-for-note, the best covers typically take the essence of the original and reshape it, so that the performing artist makes the song their own while adding something special and recognizable to their repertoire. Read more.

teacher telling student about borrowed chords

Use borrowed chords to add drama, depth, and variety to your music

January 13, 2023January 13, 2023 Scott McCormick

Looking to spice up your chord progressions? Why not borrow a chord or two from a different mode or scale? Borrowed chords are a tried-and-true way to add an unexpected touch to songs. Read the post.

guitarist playing diminished chords

Add zest with diminished chords

December 6, 2022January 13, 2023 Scott McCormick

While major and minor chords get all the attention, don’t neglect music’s lovely diminished chords. They can spice up your boring chord progressions and add drama to your songs. Read the post.

a new songwriter trying her hand to start writing songs

How to start writing songs

November 14, 2022January 13, 2023 Scott McCormick

Have you got the music in you and want to start writing songs? Here’s a no-nonsense primer to getting your songwriting career started. Read the post.

three musicians playing to find best key for their song

What’s the best key for your song?

October 25, 2022October 26, 2022 Michael Gallant

There are a lot of factors that play into choosing the right arrangement for a song — but choosing the best key for you and the musicians might be the most important. Read the post.

sailboat sailing the Southern Cross

“Southern Cross” — From unreleased leftover to enduring classic

September 21, 2022September 22, 2022 Scott McCormick

Here’s a fascinating look at how Stephen Stills took an unreleased leftover and turned it into the enduring classic, “Southern Cross.” Read the post.

songwriting tips and advice

Songwriting tips: Insights and advice on the craft of writing a song

September 15, 2022October 14, 2022 Disc Makers

We’ve posted songwriting tips that cover music theory, the use of interesting chords, lyric writing advice, and ways to channel creativity. Read and enjoy.

A Hard Day's Night and London Calling covers

Mystery chords: “A Hard Day’s Night” and “London Calling”

August 26, 2022August 26, 2022 Scott McCormick

Ever sit down to learn a song and find that no matter what chord you play, it’s just not right? We investigate two mystery chords in two classic songs. Read the post.

man playing a power chord

What makes power chords so powerful?

August 5, 2022August 5, 2022 Scott McCormick

Power chords might not be chords, but they’re powerful intervals — especially when mixed with distortion. Read the post.

Allen Woody with Gov't Mule

When the bassline makes the song

July 20, 2022July 25, 2022 Michael Gallant

There are lots of examples where the bassline is the prominent part of the song. This driving blues track from Gov’t Mule rages atop a super-dense bassline that propels the song. Read the post.

pianist playing the lydian mode

The Lydian Mode can give your song a lift

June 22, 2022June 22, 2022 Scott McCormick

In music, a mode is a formula for creating a musical scale. The Lydian Mode’s formula (W–W–W–H–W–W–H) can give your melody or progression an uplifting and yearning feeling. Read the post.

Paul McCartney onstage

After the Beatles: Paul McCartney’s basslines

June 10, 2022June 10, 2022 Keith Hatschek and Robert Bassett

The genius of Paul McCartney’s basslines never wavered, but his choices as a bass player post-Beatles show his focus was ever more on the song and serving the vocal melody. Read the post.

guitarist at home studio playing when musical inspiration strikes

Be ready when musical inspiration strikes

June 7, 2022June 7, 2022 Michael Gallant

Remove all barriers between you and playing/recording your instrument so you can be ready the moment musical inspiration strikes. Read the post.

songwriting duo, with lyricist in the forefront

Things every lyricist should know

May 10, 2022May 11, 2022 Johnny Dwinell and Brent Baxter

If you are a lyricist, or if you also write melody but you think your strength is more lyric, this is for you. This is more mindset stuff, so this will be helpful no matter what your thing is. Read the post.

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