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write a great chorus

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.

guitarist playing a song with one chord

Can you write a song with just one chord?

March 9, 2022March 10, 2022 Scott McCormick

While it might be difficult to keep a song interesting if you limit it to one chord, it can help create tension, highlight your lyrics, or drive a hypnotic groove. Read the post.

Acoustic guitarist playing a pedal point

The pedal point: A quick study

February 3, 2022February 4, 2022 Scott McCormick

A pedal point can make a standard progression more interesting or ground a complex progression in something familiar. Read the post.

two chords

Can you write a song with just two chords?

November 8, 2021February 3, 2022 Scott McCormick

These songs from decades past show us that you can do a lot with just a little. Let’s explore the magic of the bVII-I progression and how two chords can make a song. Read the post

conversational lyrics

Writing conversational lyrics: Say it like you say it

April 28, 2021April 5, 2022 Johnny Dwinell and Brent Baxter

Song lyrics are not poems put to music. Lyrics can be poetic and should be interesting, but there’s power in conversational lyrics that sound like something the character in your song would actually say. Read the post.

eleventh chord

Liven things up with eleventh chords

March 9, 2021March 9, 2021 Scott McCormick

Eleventh chords can provide lush texture to your songs, but they can be confusing. We’ve got charts and real-world examples to help you better understand these extended chords. Read the post.

flat-six chord

Add drama with a flat-six chord

February 9, 2021February 23, 2021 Scott McCormick

The flat-six chord can add drama to your music, and with some exceptions, is best used sparingly in your songwriting. Read the post.

sixth chords

Sixth chords add moody complexity to your music

January 19, 2021July 26, 2021 Scott McCormick

Sixth chords have an inherent lack of identity and purpose that can be riveting — a sixth chord can provide ambiguity, set curiously dark moods, and add a layer of complexity to your music. Read the post.

ninth chords

Ninth chords add ambiance to your compositions

December 22, 2020March 9, 2021 Scott McCormick

There are many kinds of ninth chords, and they can be used in different ways. This post explores different kinds of ninth chords and how you can use them, with plenty of examples of their use in popular music. Read the post.

substitution chords

Use substitution chords to spice up your songs

December 3, 2020December 3, 2020 Scott McCormick

Jazz musicians know and integrate substitution chords on a regular basis, but musicians who play other genres of music can also employ this concept to great effect. Read the post.

songwriting

Songwriting Dos and Don’ts

May 4, 2020May 10, 2022 Johnny Dwinell and Brent Baxter

A recent “Play For a Publisher” event featured Stacey Willbur, VP of Publishing and A&R for Full Circle Music sharing her feedback about 10 songs that were selected to be showcased. Read the post.

songwriting tips from the beatles

Songwriting tips from the Beatles’ “Help!”

September 26, 2019May 23, 2022 Scott McCormick

Few popular songs meld music, lyrics, and theme as potently as the Beatles’ 1965 hit single, “Help!” Here’s how they did it. Read the post.

augmented chords

Using augmented chords in your songs

May 8, 2019October 26, 2021 Scott McCormick

Augmented chords can add drama and tension, as shown in these examples from popular songs from the ’60s through the ’80s. Read the post.

iconic songs

Breaking down two iconic songs from the Rolling Stones

September 25, 2018September 25, 2018 Keith Hatschek

In part two of our series, we break down two more iconic songs from the Rolling Stones’ library: 1966’s “Under My Thumb” and “Ruby Tuesday.” Read the post.

guitar riffs

Guitar riffs, sonic hooks, and the Rolling Stones’ iconic sound

September 11, 2018September 12, 2018 Keith Hatschek

With guitar riffs like the one in “The Last Time,” the Rolling Stones established their musical signature on the way to becoming songwriting legends. Read the post.

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