The Key You’re In – Is It The Best Key For Writing Your Song?
I was producing someone whose song’s melody was considerably lower in the Chorus than it…
Songwriting: Solving The NYT Crossword During a Therapy Session?
“Songwriting is like attempting to solve the NYT crossword during a therapy session.” I came…
Let The Faucet Run – Bad Music and Lyrics Can Lead To A Good Song
In my recent songwriting, I’ve noticed something that I take to be a positive development…
The Early Genius of Brian Wilson
As time passes – in a few months it’ll officially be over 50 years since…
In A Good Song, Some Things Are More Important Than Others
In a good song everything is important, everything matters – every melody note, word, chord.…
The Importance of Writing At Different Tempos
I had a gig with my band and some special guests Monday night. It went…
What Makes A Song Sound ‘Beatle-esque’?
A lot of Lennon & McCartney’s early songs were what you might call ‘genre’ songs.…
Does It Matter What Key Your Song Is In?
There’s no question in my mind that, when writing a song, an awareness of what…
How To Use the ‘Tender Notes’ In Your Melodies
This week I make a pitch for the use in melodies of what I call…
‘Just My Imagination’ – An Appreciation Of A Great Song
I recently was invited to see the new Broadway show about The Temptations, ‘Ain’t Too…
Is Your Chorus Really A Pre-Chorus?
A while back I attended a Songwriters Hall Of Fame Masters Session @ NYU that…
Why The Beatles Didn’t Write As Many Great Choruses As You Think
In discussing great Choruses, The Beatles usually come up; no discussion of superior songwriting is…
When To Write A Song Using Less Than 20 Words
Sometimes songs with very few words can be really effective. I’m not talking here about…
Take This Step Before Recording Or Performing A New Song
I recently wrote a song call ‘Rise To Your Love’. Given the feel of the…
Unblocking The Songwriting Channel – A Lesson From Carole King
“Another thing I do is I might play someone else’s material that I really like…
Songwriting Patience & Persistence – A Lesson From Tom Petty
One of my favorite songwriting lessons comes by way of the late great Tom Petty…
Why Are Some Songs Easy To Write? And Some A Slog?
Some songs take weeks, months, even years to write… and even then they might not…
What To Do When “I’ve Used These Same Chords Too Many Times!”
I think most songwriters (who write music) feel at times that they go to the…
Inside ‘We Are The Champions’
Queen’s ‘We Are The Champions’ (written by Freddie Mercury) consistently intrigued me. I’ve always been…
Staying Open To Songwriting Influence and Inspiration
Sometimes a songwriter is inspired – excited creatively and/or financially – to use a chunk…
Watch the ‘Ask Tony’ Videos
