Unlock your songwriting potential today
Here are a few ideas to help get you started.
Leave Me Space, I Want to Breathe
We often think of songwriting as a linear process. That's to say we recognise all songs have a start and an end point. How we get there is determined by the choice of structure we use, which in turn is often dictated to us by genre. For instance a folk song may not require a rousing pre-chorus. It may not require a chorus at all. However, the linear journey is only part of the equation. Linear (left to right) does not require much in the way harmonic considerations. Vertically is where it gets a whole lot more interesting. I think of harmony as vertical (up and down).
Think about what is happening in one moment of musical time in your arrangement?
Where possible, keep your vertical axis uncluttered. Don't crowd it with unnecessary chord voicings. A simple and effective tip is to save chord extensions (7ths, 9ths, 2nds, Maj7ths etc) for use by single note instruments, vocals or melody lines. For example, if you want to hear a Cmaj7 tonality, not every instrument needs to voice it. A guitar could play a C5 (C and G notes), the vocals might sing the E note and a string line might be wavering on the B note one octave higher. A great way to 'hear' a Cmaj7 without the air being stuffed out of your song.
A Musical Conversation
As writers our goal should be to communicate. Song structure can aid us in effectively conveying our message. The structure or 'song form' we decide to use helps us deliver our message to those we intend to communicate with.
You And Your Original Inspiration
Always remember the original emotion that became your inspiration. That is yours, it's precious and will set your song apart.
On Songwriting Competitions
When asked to nominate a 'category' for your entry you will need to appropriately identify which style your song is written in. If you're unsure and get it wrong you could rule yourself out of contention much like a horse that never got away at the gates! You see, the judges will not be shuffling your entry from one category to the next. The onus really is on you to know your songs, identify their genre and pitch them appropriately.
What Is Your Genre?
A ridiculously easy and convenient way to access songs by genre is to use internet radio. This can be a useful tool to familiarise yourself in different styles of writing. iTunes has a handy radio icon in their Library menu. Opening up the category/genre 'Country' reveals over 100 Country radio stations and streams! including Radio Country Family, La Country en Languedoc-Rousillon a French Country Music Radio station! Crazy but true.
Have you downloaded our free resources?
Need more helpful songwriting tips? visit our downloads area
Leave Me Space, I Want to Breathe
We often think of songwriting as a linear process. That's to say we recognise all songs have a start and an end point. How we get there is determined by the choice of structure we use, which in turn is often dictated to us by genre. For instance a folk song may not require a rousing pre-chorus. It may not require a chorus at all. However, the linear journey is only part of the equation. Linear (left to right) does not require much in the way harmonic considerations. Vertically is where it gets a whole lot more interesting. I think of harmony as vertical (up and down).
Think about what is happening in one moment of musical time in your arrangement?
Where possible, keep your vertical axis uncluttered. Don't crowd it with unnecessary chord voicings. A simple and effective tip is to save chord extensions (7ths, 9ths, 2nds, Maj7ths etc) for use by single note instruments, vocals or melody lines. For example, if you want to hear a Cmaj7 tonality, not every instrument needs to voice it. A guitar could play a C5 (C and G notes), the vocals might sing the E note and a string line might be wavering on the B note one octave higher. A great way to 'hear' a Cmaj7 without the air being stuffed out of your song.
A Musical Conversation
As writers our goal should be to communicate. Song structure can aid us in effectively conveying our message. The structure or 'song form' we decide to use helps us deliver our message to those we intend to communicate with.
You And Your Original Inspiration
Always remember the original emotion that became your inspiration. That is yours, it's precious and will set your song apart.
On Songwriting Competitions
When asked to nominate a 'category' for your entry you will need to appropriately identify which style your song is written in. If you're unsure and get it wrong you could rule yourself out of contention much like a horse that never got away at the gates! You see, the judges will not be shuffling your entry from one category to the next. The onus really is on you to know your songs, identify their genre and pitch them appropriately.
What Is Your Genre?
A ridiculously easy and convenient way to access songs by genre is to use internet radio. This can be a useful tool to familiarise yourself in different styles of writing. iTunes has a handy radio icon in their Library menu. Opening up the category/genre 'Country' reveals over 100 Country radio stations and streams! including Radio Country Family, La Country en Languedoc-Rousillon a French Country Music Radio station! Crazy but true.
Have you downloaded our free resources?
Need more helpful songwriting tips? visit our downloads area
