5 Songwriting Tools That Change Everything | ASCAP | Songwriting | Tips & Tricks
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 พ.ย. 2024
- Download Your Free Songwriting Handbook Now: berkonl.in/3wS...
Earn Your Songwriting Degree Online with Berklee: berkonl.in/3wN...
Stop tweaking and make the most essential changes for better songs. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to identify and amplify your strengths while embracing the imperfect characteristics that make your music unique. Find greater creativity and accelerate your writing process by doing the 5 things that matter most in getting your songs heard and appreciated.
About Andrea Stolpe:
Andrea Stolpe is a multi-platinum recorded songwriter, performing artist, and educator. She has worked as a staff writer for EMI, Almo-Irving, and Universal Music Publishing, with songs recorded by such artists as Faith Hill, Daniel Lee Martin, Julianne Hough, and others. Her own recorded output includes a solo release, "Breaking Even." Andrea is the author and instructor of the course Commercial Songwriting Techniques, part of Berklee Online's online songwriting program.
Her book “Popular Lyric Writing: 10 Steps to Effective Storytelling” describes how to apply a unique process for uniting our artistic voice with the commercial market. Andrea graduated with a degree in songwriting from Berklee College of Music. Andrea lives in Los Angeles with her husband, recording engineer Jan Teddy.
About the ASCAP EXPO:
The ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO is the first and only national conference dedicated to songwriting and composing. The event provides a unique opportunity for songwriters, composers, artists, producers, publishers - and those in the industry who support them - to come together in an unprecedented way to share their knowledge and expertise.
Learn more: www.ascap.com/expo
About Berklee Online:
Berklee Online is the continuing education division of Berklee College of Music, delivering online access to Berklee's acclaimed curriculum from anywhere in the world, offering online courses, certificate programs, and degree programs. Call, text, or email an Academic Advisor today:
1-866-BERKLEE (US)
1-617-747-2146 (international callers)
advisors@online.berklee.edu
/ berkleeonline
/ berkleeonline
/ berkleeonline
Andrea Stolpe | Songwriting Tips | Free Songwriting Lesson | Online Songwriting Lesson | Songwriting Tutorial | ASCAP | ASCAP EXPO | I Create Music | Berklee | Berklee Online | Berklee College of Music
![[TH] 2024 PMGC League | Survival Stage วันที่ 1 | PUBG MOBILE Global Championship](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/FVFT-PFwU80/mqdefault.jpg)
I have a tip for lyric writing. You know when you think of a killer line but then every line you try to find to rhyme with it sounds corny or contrived? Put the corny and contrived line first. It works every time and gives huge weight to the killer line.
Wonderful idea. I have noticed this same thing, too. Also works for purely musical aspects. I ended up writing my master's thesis on this topic, UTexas, 2000, "A philosophy of musical composition". Wonderful to see others seeing the same thing independently.
@@mathaha2922 Hi, I would be interested in reading your Thesis. Is it available online?
my dad taught me this, its a set up bar. begin with the end in mind.
thats brilliant. I started to do it because in the rap culture I live is like a really tipical thing, on freestyle rap it is called punchline, it allways goes the last because of what you say.
Love it. You've got the point to the story, and as in music or movies or much of life there's plenty of corn meant to be shared DURING the journey. :)
The most important thing for me in writing songs, at the initial stages, is not to allow the editor in my mind to interfere with the creative process. You can't be creative and judgemental at the same time.
Excellent point!!!
This is the hardest part for me
I have that problem i am to big perfectionist
I am learning this the hard way! It’s easy to edit later, but spending 5 minutes picking out the “right” word will really kill my flow
Needed this
1. Repetition and melodic motifs - What do you like and how does the style of music you want to emulate use repetition?
2. Contrast - is the verse melody clearly defined enough to create contrast in chorus? Length of phrases, note length, pitch, starting position in measure. Shape - map out melody. Harmony - not necessarily more complexity. Chord frequency - changing chords different amounts of time in different sections. Lyrics - verses = detail, chorus = big idea
3. Repetition
4. Harmony and groove - tempo. Mix it up so you don’t get stuck. Experiment with different tempos.
5. Lyrics - include sensory elements
Thanks!! 👏
Rachel Tattersall Music thank you
Thank you
Thanks you Rachel
Thx ! Even better than 2x speed ^^
How in the world can 300+ people down vote this?! When I attended Berklee 30 years ago, my teacher had me transcribe the #1 hit on Billboard every week...and answer 20 questions about it. Such analysis is how the CRAFT of songwriting is learned. Andrea is providing "gold" here...appreciate it!
Thank you! We appreciate the kind words.
What were the 20 questions?
That's actually great advice! Thank you!
That’s a great exercise. I’d love to know what those 20 questions were too!
wrong , analysis kills creativity ..
I'm back like 6 months later to say that this changed my life.
6 months up
Same
Thank you! Much Love! HareKrishna&GodBless❤️🙏
Thank you so much Saleh, I'm so glad this helped you - but I'd like to reframe: You changed your own life. I wish you all the best in your songwriting journey. Stay creative!
that's so awesome
Remember you are writing for the general public---the vast majority are NOT musicians, songwriters, peers, critics, reviewers, etc. The general public simply goes by what a song sounds like to them...how it makes them feel...that's it.
I always forget this. Thank you for reminding me 💖
Nailed it. Most popular music today has the complexity of peanut butter and jelly. It might taste good but it’s not all that. There are exceptions of course. But in general make it sound good, promote an emotion, and do it well.
This video is really about a mindset of intention and self awareness; 'by all means dismiss ideas you don't like, but examine it first, experiment with it, and understand how and why it can work, and how it relates to your own strengths and goals, and how and why you're dismissing it'. I feel like too often aspiring artists (in all forms) sneer at the commercial without ever appreciating what they can learn from it.
I like how she emphasizes how it's important to have a balance between being your own artist and putting your own spin on your music, while still using this formula as a kind of "outline." I also love how she uses the word "tendency." I never thought of it in that way!
Hey Jake, I'm so glad you resonated with this. Finding that balance is so important in helping us stay true to ourselves and craft authentic songs. Thank you so much for watching, I wish you all the best in your songwriting journey.
Speed up x1.25 your welcome
YO BLESS YOU!!!!!!!
x2
Thank you 😅
Hahah legend
×1,5
2:15 👌👌👌
3:25 Strengths
10:20 Melodic Motif
13:50 Contrast
22:40 Lyrics
Thank you!
It's always great as a musician to have all these tips at the end of your keyboard. No matter how experienced you are there is still room to learn.
That is so true @PrioryJonesOfficial, I'm so grateful by all the resources we access to to learn, and how they can help any musician grow. Thanks so much for taking the time to watch, I'm glad to hear this helped you. Stay creative!
After you have a chord progression in mind and are working on the vocal melody, try to force yourself to first develop the "hook" melody - usually in the chorus or at the end of a verse. This will usually be the strongest part of your song and so you need to get it down first whenever possible. If you don't it is likely that you will have painted yourself into a corner by working on the verses first (because they come first chronologically in the song) and by then you have a melody that limits where you are likely to go with your hook. Get the hook melody and work backwards from there, then go on to the melody of the verses.
If you have a C section in your structure, that melody can often be stronger than the hook or chorus. If not, why is it there? If the melody isn't super strong then make the segueway to the C section very strong (e.g. modulation, change of dynamic of the music, maybe some instruments fall away, or another instrument is introduced).
"Serious composers" studying Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Stravinsky, et al learn to write pieces in the style of the great composers. To do this you have to know enough theory to understand the various components of the pieces. Almost anyone who wants to be a song writer can do the same thing with pop music. it's easier because the music structure is much less complex, and is in some genre format with an a, b and c section (sometimes only a and b and sometimes even a d section but rarely more than that) and so while theory is helpful it isn't always necessary depending on what your song model is. Musically, there's something you like about it, the vocal melody, the rhythm, groove and feel, the way the instruments create texture. And then there is the lyric. A lot of casual listeners don't care much about it but obviously song writers do and should, must. Take the same approach to a lyric.
An exercise I find very helpful in writing lyrics is to look at a lyric you admire and would like to write like and write your own line after after each line of the lyric model. Don't worry about your lines all working together as a whole, that comes later, just write the strongest line you can come up with that is like the line that inspires you.
Understand that there are "first lines" there are last lines or punch lines or hooks, and there is the chorus and these lines have their own quality and you should know one from the other (its instinctive because all good songwriting already shows you which lines are which).
The lyrics in the A B and C section are all different and change with the music of each section. You have already established motif (repetitive pattern) and you can modify the motifs. For example, go from major to minor, double time or half time the rhythm or the syllables in the words. There are any number of creative ways to alter your motif. Listen to Mozart's 40th Symphony, Beethoven's 5th, Brahms 4th et al to hear how motifs are altered.
Understand that songwriting is not a diary. You're telling a story as any writer does. That you're the one telling it means the story will already be autobiographical to some extent, so don't worry about making things up. Diary writing is bad writing, it isn't meant to be read by anyone else, and it has no place in your song, unless you happen to create a good line. Sources aren't important. Literal truth isn't important, thematic truth is.
If you're a Dylan fan, look at what he's been doing with point of view of story-teller for some time now -- it isn't Bob that is the "I" or the first person narrator in many of his lyrics. He often has an "unreliable narrator". He has taken lyric writing where no recent pop singer has.
And if you do have Dylanesque aspirations, READ MORE LITERATURE and listen to OLD time music, blues, folk, original sources etc. If your references are only from recent composers/writers you know/were raised on, you're limiting yourself.
If you're working from an established tradition (which I highly recommend you do, blues, early rock and roll, folk, etc) then go out of your way to NOT follow the recent trends. By the time you get your stuff out, it will be old hat and you will constantly be playing catch up. This is why I suggest working from old, well established traditions, your stuff will have a better chance of being timeless if you do.
Teaching song writing is similar to teaching any kind of writing, you can only do so much. ALL CULTURE IS COPYING so I wouldn't listen too much to teachers like the one in this video which personally didn't inspire me. Learn from the old masters as an apprentice should do. Sit at their feet (as it were) and learn. Copy. Don't worry about being derivative. Eventually your own voice will emerge. Know that ALL great composers, artists begin this way. Even if you're not a novice. What did Dylan do when he lost his way in the 80s and early 90s? He made some albums of old folk and blues songs that he loved - he went back to the well, to the source. He's been on a roll ever since. Whomever your model is - they should be great. Superlative. Don't simply use your favorite of the moment. Go to the canon - everything is there you need.
Thank you for taking the time to share so many ideas. Appreciated.
Thank you - a lot of helpful info generously given.Much appreciated. But...IMHO Bob is hugely overrated. Firstly, he's not sold as many records as people think (obviously that's not the only measure of greatness) and he heavily ''borrowed'' a lot of his early work from folk standards that had no copyright. His lyrics are deeply unsatisfying to me, appearing to go nowhere, and rarely follow a metaphor/theme through. They are more ''clever'' and witty than insightful - which is fine for pop, but not for winnning the Nobel Prize for Literatue!! I think Elvis Costello beats him on witty and wordplay anyway. EC's musical literacy is of a higher level and he writes in a wider range of styles too. But on the subject of lyrics, Bernie Taupin is one of the best (1969 - 79)...after that it's hit and miss. Most underrated writer ever has to be G. Louris of The Jayhawks. Beautiful melodies, decent lyrics and hooks galore. Just my 10 cents - thanks again.
I am a musician/songwriter, Rock guitarist, Piano player home studio owner, You name it.Been writng music for 37 years. I stumbled onto this video while looking for something else studio gear related, Anyway I found this video very insightful. The missed opportunities part caught my attention being a rock musician. I would even say that I found this video Fantastic actually. If You understand what She is trying to teach You it can help You see songwriting from a different angle and Me for one really likes that and plans to look for more video's from Her. If Your one of the people commenting below You are really missing the point of this video. Andrea Stolpe, Thanks for sharing Your wisdom with everyone. (thumbs up).
Here is my summary, didn't get some things, maybe you can help to complete it:
What's my strength in songwriting?
Talking about harmony, rythm, melody and lyrics.
What's my weakness?
Identify your audience. My songwriting, what kind of people will like it?
1. Repetition
"Repetition it's important, if we want people to sing our songs"
Simplicity, and rest space it's important.
2. Contrast
"In the highly commercial music, there is huge contrast between the sections."
To create contrast you can use, lyric, melody, harmony and rythm.
5 basic melodic ways to create contrast:
a. The phrase lenght. You can do them longer or shorter to contrast.
b. Position: you can change where the phrase begins.
c. Shape: map out the ahape of your melody, and change it in the next section to get the contrast you want.
Contrast in harmony:
a. Lenght of chords
( There is beuty in simplicity, you don't need alot of complex chords.. Althoug John Mayer knows them.. He relly on Simplicity)
Contrast in lyric:
a. Change the way you are writing. For example in the verse you are more write with more details, so in the chorus you just use feelings and moresummarized language.
( advice: read out loud you lyrics, and make them easy to digest. Also, analyze lyrics that you love)
Harmony and groove
a. Change tempos.
3. Sensory lyric writing: taste, touch, sound, smell and movement.
Thank you so much for watching and sharing your notes, I'm so glad this was helpful to you. I wish you all the best in your songwriting journey, stay creative!
Thanks a lot for this short and valuable comment. Thanks
Cheers from Indonesia.
As far as sensory lyrics go, I’m having some trouble fully understanding how to apply this. How could sensory lyrics be achieved? Do you know any examples in music that has that?
So many great tips! I loved "don't ask your listener to fill in the blanks, say what you mean." Also to create rest space, a chance for the listener to take in the lyrics. Love that.
This is definitely a video I recommend to the artist that I manage. Often times especially early in their journey they struggle with the structure of expressing themselves
This is one of the best discourses on songwriting theory I've ever heard. Many thanks, Andrea!
Thank you!
One of the most intelligent and thought provoking approaches to songwriting that is clear and easy to apply.
Andrea is wonderful! Intelligent, knowledgeable, passionate about her craft and extremely inspiring and helpful.
Thanks!
I've been writing my own songs since I was 16, coming from punk rock influences I have a specific vibe I am trying to capture, then there are my personal tragedy songs, which just share my heartbreak and how to conquer it, and as I got older, I'm finding the rock band "The Tubes" to be a major influence on me, if I decide to keep writing, I have never sold any songs or published or made records to sell, I do it as an art form, I wanted to be a drummer when I was younger, and got into songwriting and guitar totally by chance, so I just make the most of it, the rewards are something they don't teach us in art or music in school, just knowing somebody out there has enjoyed listening to one or more of my songs gives me a buzz, and if they like it, my universe expands with every listeners' perspectives, but yeah, for rock, with a punky new wave twist, the Tubes are paramount to me as influence, they are so under-rated it's criminal.
when all else fails, instrumental institute
I rarely comment on TH-cam, but I am compelled to thank Berklee for posting this. Unimaginably helpful. I will keep it open in a browser tab as reference, perpetually.
Hi John, thank you so much for your kind words. I'm so glad this has been helpful for you. I checked out some of your videos, you are such an amazingly skilled guitar player. I hope you are still writing. I wish you all the best on your songwriting journey, stay creative!
I seldom reply.
Here I am again, two and a half years later...helping me out once again...Andrea is pure Gold....
a couple of years back I heard a songwriter I was a fan of say "If your audience likes that one song of yours, then you'll have to keep doing similar songs". And now I notice that in his writing, he keeps coming back to the same progressions, same tempos, and I certainly think some audiences are much more forgiving today, and they'll accept the changes in style. What I'm saying is who we are changes and so will our songwriting
David Munoz That's what Ed Sheeran seems to be doing.. Sing, Don't, Shape of You.. they re all similar. I might be wrong though
iemandmusic you're right.
bored with eddy , his name sounds like a rural hairdresser ! LOL
Presentation ... what is your presentation?
He definitely abused a trend but he goes all over the place. He hit a gold mine and stuck with it like anyone would... but he's explored a lot with his songwriting and writes a lot for other artists.
The talking points are pretty spot on for finding a way to make your music more memorable. Adding Sensory Language and using chords as a sort of emotional texture element further drive the message home. I would be interested to hear what changes artists make after a talk like this one that dives down into the core of what makes a song commercially successful 😎
She seems like a nice person.
Thank you so much for watching, I hope this helps. Stay creative!
This talk made me write a check list entitled "Hey, what's wrong with my vocals?". I had so many discussions with singers in my life and now I will have actual things to point at.
I feel like I would need to watch this a couple more times to really have it down in my mind
Ye there's so much in there right?
Or, write it down. Practice it. I've been stuck in the "I need more knowledge" loop for what feels like FOREVER. Tip: Get some bullet points nice & neat. Paste them up somewhere. Don't watch any more videos until you've worked through each of them independently, as well as combined, and overlapped.
My favorite part of this is the question, do you give your listener rest space in your melodies?
Awesome, thanks Andrea Stolpe. I learned more in 13 minutes than 10 years of other writing youtube videos. Look forward to the next 20
Some of the best info I’ve ever heard! It’s like a 27min machine gun onslaught of incredible content. I have to pause it so often to consider everything that’s said. This is so incredibly helpful, insightful and inspirational. Thank you
This is the most important and essential that I've seen regarding songwriting.
Beautiful teaching. I used to be the kind of person that would say, "why would I want to know how to make popular music", now it seems so useful. It's like learning scales backwards and forwards so you can break out of them.. but in order to break out of them you have to learn them first right?
She's also on Tik Tok! I love how she articulates things. She's so knowledgable about the songwriting process. Thanks for sharing!!
Andrea Stolpe, I appreciate you.
The Band Little Feat were masters at syncopated rhythmic hits and off beat syncopation. They also made ample use of long extended notes (i.e. Lowell George's distinctive slide guitar style.) They would also do the almost radical shift from verse to chorus (Time Loves A Hero for example.) They could maintain a constant groove, but make subtle changes in the different parts of a song without totally leaving the groove..
Sometimes their songs were complex, but their biggest hits (R&Roll Doctor, Dixie Chicken, All That You Dream, Time Loves A Hero) all made use of all the above that you spoke of in this video.
Steel Dan was also masters of this as well.
Best live show...ever. RIP Lowell...
Very helpful!
11:18 "Some, BODY ONCE TOLD ME"
the world is gonna roll me
YEAH!! They should insert this moment with volume EXTRALEVEL in video. Second JOHN SINA!!!
oh my hahahah I thought the EXACT thing.
LOL
Drake Holliday full same dude thank you for commenting it
Ashton Irwin from 5sos sent me here and i don't regret it
Ashton is fantastic, I'm so grateful he sent you here. All the best to you on your songwriting journey, stay creative!
I am a songwriter. There are some things one can learn about songwriting, but basically great songwriters are born with it. The songs Billy Joel, The Beegees, Steve Goodman, Fleetwood Mac and on and on cannot be taught. I have said for years and heard the same thing from other great songwriters that the song is already there finished, the songwriters job is to hear that and put down what they hear ,organize if you will. The rest is performance, production, arrangement. Most songs today ,if you can call them that aren't really songs .They lack the character and passion and genius that cannot be taught.
What is critical is the fact that you have to ask yourself the question - do you connect with an audience and with that target market is it a "familiar song" they connect to within 10-15 seconds. Being deliberate and consistent with a "sound" will differentiate the leaders from failures.
Tip to get inspired: Open a youtube video's transcript while watching. Copy some sentences that sound nice into a document. Experiment with the order and try to see a story. It's just like a puzzle, but you'll and up with your next song. (for real try it! you'll be able to break this pattern of everyone using the same vocabulary and themes, especially when your primary language isn't English)
She is a very good teacher.
This is one of the best videos about songwriting on TH-cam
She has a talent for lecturing. Makes me think - even if she never made any specific points it would be worth the time to listen and get my own mind working, going over what goes on in my psyche when working on a song. That's kind of rare, really. Most speakers leave me waiting for them to get to a point, or say something I didn't know already. I tend to skip through videos looking for something worth my time, but she has a way of rambling, from the very beginning, that gives me more than enough to think about, even if I've heard of it already. Kind of weird, because my first impression was that I didn't like her and our personalities would clash violently.
I clicked on this video thinking : let's check these tips so I can go do the exact opposite.
But turns out it's pretty interesting the way it is :)
Thank you Ms. Stolpe. Your instruction is extremely helpful and useful. Thank you Berklee.
Dang I just got the most valuable single page of songwriting notes from this lecture. Thanks Andrea!
You're so welcome, I'm so glad you found this valuable. Good luck on your songwriting journey, and stay creative!
I mean these types of tips dont apply to so many musicians. Pink Floyd had plenty of hits with zero to no repitition, complex chord changes, etc
@@johnfisher8401 but I'd argue that the songs they are most remembered for are their more repetitive tracks with simpler melodies. Of course, their whole catalogue is outstanding, but which ones get radio play?
You are an exceptionally talented teacher , thank you 🤝
For me it’s just remembering the melodies and the harmonies and the chords and the riffs that I come up with and then putting it all together. So essentially it’s just memory
I appreciate this video ! I love songwriting! As I watched this video some of this came naturally. Or maybe from my subconscious mind absorbing music over the years. Im currently getting ready to join a aspac to be able to collect money as I create content as a artist. Im very excited to join aspac and reach out to other song writers ! Can't tell you how many times I play a instrumental over and over as I find the words. My mom said if you could do something that doesn't feel like work you will never work another day in your life ! Sometimes I try but the words won't come. Thats when I know to put it down and try at another time ! There are many methods and that is a blessing or we wouldn't have the variety of music we have today !
WHOA! THIS WAS AMAZING! Thank you so much for this. I've written a bunch of songs and these tools have been a perfect addition to how I go about writing. THANK YOU!
I've noticed these "highly commercial" techniques in classical scores. You can find these techniques everywhere in good music. They're general ideas on making any kind of well created music. Harmonic rhythm is one example for noting contrasting sections
I suppose the thing to do is to learn all these tips, since they can help you address neglected aspects of your writing that prevent your songs from connecting with listeners more effectively; but then the next thing would be to forget all these tips so your writing doesn't end up sounding "studied" or formulaic.
Perfectly put!
Such a lucid lecture--so many useful points. Very competent instruction by this teacher. Thank you!
One good approach is going with the original idea(s) and going back later to streamline certain parts, also counting out downbeats and upbeats on your T, P, M, R fingers to see where the lyrics fit w the melody
Some People capability to talk for 15 minutes straight without saying anything significant that still sounds amazing and revolutionary is the most amazing skill in the music business....
Could listen to this young lady all day long
lots of gems in this ...
I tend to compose during the recording process because a lot of what I do is digital (it's hard to get people to show up to band practice so solo and digital is the way)
My advice to mix up your song writing is to BEGIN the process with selecting a tempo, or a scale, or both. This is trivial in a DAW and you don't even have to know music theory to incorporate this. Every time you choose an unusual scale or tempo, you will find completely unique ideas pretty easily.
Also, if you normally write with a guitarist brain, try starting with the drums or the bass or some keys on a DAW even if you would normally only write one part for a band or something. This allows you to take your instrument of choice and experiment in a new landscape which is a new place for ideas. Your bandmates can also use the skeleton of a song you've made to flesh out their own parts and add to what you create.
And finally, the only wrong way to write a song is not to write one!
Hooray, another Andrea Stolpe vid!
More, please...
Gary Reid Music Andrea is my favourite!!
Thank you so much Gary, I'm so glad you're enjoying these videos and resources. Good luck to you and your songwriting journey, stay creative!
1. 10:30 Melodic motif (do you have a repeated motif that is repeated several times)
2. 12:46 Contrast
I really enjoyed this video. I learned a lot in a very short time. I have been to songwriting workshops over the years. I love being around people who share the same pasion. When I write a song, Instrumental, etc, all the rules go out the window. I write how I am feeling at that time. God has blessed me with the gift to write all kind of songs. I study other songwriters styles, but I don't try to mimic them. Diane Warren, Jim Weatherly, Kenny (Baby Face) Edmonds, Rod Temperton, Ashford and Simpson, Gamble and Huff, just to name a few. Lol
I like reading the first couple of comments of a lot of videos like this. I am not going to scroll through all 800 comments. But on TH-cam I just like picking up bonus pieces of information that is extra and the upvotes help show which comments should be at the top.
thank you ashton
Just like all voice coaches talk about everything but the most critical FREE tool you`ll ever have ... YOUR EARS ... song writing classes largely ignore the crucial element of creating music ... it`s TALENT & INSPIRATION ... you can analyze all the songs ever created to figure out whether the melody goes up or down or if a line repeats 4 or 6 times and it will be pointless unless you can create an emotional reaction in a listener ... that comes from true talent and inspiration and never from technical analysis of somebody else`s work ... yes, I`m saying that not everybody has that ability ... we differ ... liking music and being able to create it are not the same thing ... that`s why Salieri was no Mozart ...
Thank You for sharing Andrea! Pretty good stuff!
Definitely I am gonna REVISIT THIS INSTRUCTIONAL SEMINAR. GREAT !!
this presentation is actually really good holy shit
Thank you so much, so glad you enjoyed this. Stay creative!
Excellent advice.I was a little sceptical when I first clicked,but came away seriously impressed.
Very good to hear from you and thanks for the opportunity
This is so crazy good!! I've listened to it like 4 times already and I'm still getting new things out of this session thanks so much!
You're so welcome, thank you so much for watching. So glad to hear that this has been helpful for you even after multiple watches. I wish you all the best on your songwriting journey, stay creative!
So interesting and so inspiring! This is one of the best videos about songwriting! Thank you, Andrea!
Always relisting to this speach to internalize the lessons and not just memorizing them .
A lot of awesome tips Thanks!!! 🙌
I keep coming back to this video. It is inspiring. Songwriting is something that in my case kind of just happens. It is good to analyse and strengthen your weaknesses. Great vid contribution. I have shared it on to my songwriting friends.
So yes - thanks for sharing this.
These points remind me of Brian Eno's "Oblique Strategies". Though less random in application of course.
she makes me want to write.
DO IT
This is so kind, thank you so much. All the best to you and your songwriting journey!
I just put down on my bedside instrument( guitar in my case) or record the melodies I wake up to in the morning and during the day combine lyrics , if lyrics are creatively forthcoming.
This is full of gems
When you mentioned "Rest"...melody...REST...etc. the first song that popped into my head was the David Bowie Song "Fame" a a perfect example (co-written by John Lennon a master at song arrangement and texture). FAAAMME (rest little guitar thingy) and the rest of the lyrics. A perfect example and a million dollar hit song.
Wonderful and insightful talk. Thank you to Andrea Stolpe for sharing their insights on songwriting and a thank you to Berklee for sharing these priceless talks. I have a number of Berklee's A Modern Method for Guitar and do return to them as a source for grounding myself. 💞🎶
Glad you enjoyed it!
I'm a totally beginner in songwriting and came here to learn... But I'm already doing the right things just instinctively, I just have to structure them and doing them on purpose - not as an accident. Sometimes.... When theres too much theory in your head, you're just thinking with the head and not feeling with your heart anymore, which can (not have to) be poisonous to creativity. "There's beauty in simplicity" as Andrea says here :)
Please Thank Pat Patterson - I took a workshop from him in LA in 93 and am still using his "tools"...Let the meaning of the verse - "bleed over the chorus" so the meaning of the chorus changes with each verse...Thanks Pat.
Kris Kristofferson is a great example of a writer that gives a long melody/phrase and giving a rest space too.
omg this is the lady that gives songwriting advice on Tiktok looool I love her
Good things to think about. Good examples.
Bowies cut up method is brilliant for lyrics
20:49 EXAAAAAAAACTLY THE PROBLEM THAT I'M FACING! SO GRATEFUL FOR MENTIONING!
I was very happy to find your channel! This is exactly what I need right now. Thank you very much.
Thank you so much Andrea that's so helpful and thought provoking.
There is a very V E R Y deliberate reason why all my songs are 4:20,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, man ;)
I thought this as well. ha
What is your reason that your songs are 4:20 mins ?
cause dat weed, bruh
I wrote a song called "Potheads of America" Came out 4:20 on the recorder, but when I uploaded it it came out to 4:19! Doh!
SMOKE WEED ERRYDAYY
Thanks for posting 🔥
Little trick i've recently started doing. With all of my newer songs... i play them differently every single time. Whether it be melody, chord progessions or dynamics (maybe even lyrics) because it's the worst when you get stuck in a half decent chorus because its the best you got and u practise it a lot. Force yourself to improve something new everytime and maybe something magical will come out.
Excellent teacher! I am gonna get her book for sure. Thanks a lot for the upload!
Thank you so much for your support, I'm so glad you have enjoyed the resources. I wish you all the best in your songwriting journey, stay creative!
your like a song writing therapist, this was very cool ❤️
When I gave the recording engineer my charts so he would know the arrangements - He asked, "Where'/s the sonic arrangements?" Huh? Every 8 or 16 bars the sonics need to change - (contrast)...so I postponed the recording session a month - worked out bar by bar the sonics - they were primarily dynamics changes. Thank you for the pointers - I always start the vocal line on the 2...becasue when I start on the one - it just seems boring....I just wrote a bass line that starts on the 2 - Wow it magically pulls you forward into a deeper groove...
Thank you I've been struggling but just love playing now if I could find time an I do it's fun when finishing an playing,.. chow
Also to ask yourself what chord tones does the melody do? Off chord tone notes create more color.
Thank you. That was really useful. Didn’t understand it all but grasped enough to make an immediate difference to a song I’m writing and I hope to go back over the lecture to get more. X