Magazine Articles/Songwriting Tips

 

 

“I learned more from reading these articles than I did from four years of getting a degree in songwriting and music business.” (Attendee at NSAI’s Song Camp)

 

Melody

How (and Why) to Rewrite Your Melodies

Are Your Songs Too Repetitious – or Not Repetitious Enough?

Using Chords and Modulations As Musical Hooks in Your Songs

Are Your Songs Too Rangy?

What’s the difference Between a Signature Lick and an Intro

3 Tips to Shake Up Your Melodies

What's Hot & What's Not When it Comes to Instrumentation

"The Top 5 Melody Pitfalls -- and How to Avoid Them”

How To Write Song Hooks That “Hook” You In

The Power of Post-Choruses

Breakthrough Hits and Signature Songs: What Can They Teach Us?

5 Tips for Strengthening Your Song’s Melodic Hooks

 

Lyrics

“Show – Don’t Tell; 3 Steps to Writing Better Lyrics”

3 Tips for Writing to a Title

Writing Songs In Times of Crises

Get Inspired by Writing Songs to a Prompt

The Most Important Lines of Lyric

Tips for Supporting Your Song’s Title

How to Write Non-Visual Lyrics That Engage Listeners

Don’t Let The Truth Get in the Way of a Great Song

When Clever is Too Clever in Songwriting

The Secret to Writing Great Wedding Songs

The Top 5 Lyric Pitfalls--and How to Avoid Them

Finding Great Song Titles and Fresh Angles

5 Song Rhyming Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

5 Tips for Making Your Lyrics Stand Out

When it Comes to Song Titles, Don't Hit the Nail Too Squarely On the Head

Tips for Writing Songs About Anything…But Love

How to Write Lyrics That Are Both Personal AND Universal

How To Use The “List Technique” in Your Song

 

 

Taking Care of Business

“I Know I have a GREAT song....now what?”

"Staff-Writing: What it Really Means and How to Get a Deal"

How Hard Would You Work for a Hit

"Bring Me Something New" -- What Song Publishers Really Mean

“Pitch Perfect: The Do’s and Don’ts of Pitching Songs”

What If the Music You Love to Write Isn’t What’s On the Charts?

Casting Songs: How to Gauge Which Artist is Right for Your Song

Strategies and Etiquette for “Writing Up”

Networking Tips From an Expert

Do You Need to Move to a Music Center

“How Much Would You Pay To Advance Your Songwriting Career?”

How to Place "Outside" Songs

5 Steps to Getting a YES From Publishers

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Casting Your Songs

5 Tips to Help Find Good Homes for Your Songs

Song Critiques: Which Ones Should You Trust

How To “Sell” Your Songs

The Ups and Downs of Songs “On Hold”

Poor Man’s Copyright is No Substitute For the Real Thing

5 Ways to Get “Lucky"

The 5 Skills You Need to Be a Successful Music Publisher

Tips for Livestreaming Your Music from Home

Are Your Song Pitches as Perfect as They Should Be

 

Demos

How To Get the Demo You Need

Does Your Song Need a New Demo

Which Recording Mixes Do you Need to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Song Cut?

The Top 5 Demo Pitfalls -- and Their Remedies

 

Sync Licensing (Film/TV)

What Kinds of Songs Work Best for TV and Film Placements – and How Do You Find Them?

Placing Music On TV and in Films

 

Collaboration

How To Prepare For a Co-Writing Session

The Inside Track to Writing Songs With Artists

The Pros & Cons of Co-Writing in Person vs. Online

5 Ways to be a Better Collaborator

Tips for a Successful Cowrite

The Good, the Bad, and the Hits That Come From Collaboration

Avoiding and Resolving Conflicts Between Collaborators

Tips For Co-Writing Songs When You Can't Be in the Same Room

 

Christmas & Holiday Songs

Writing and Placing Christmas & Holiday Songs

 

Miscellaneous

 

Top Tips From 2021 That Can Put You on the Road to Songwriting Success in 2022

Reality Check: Looking at Your Songs Objectively

What If Your Songs Are “Better” Thank Those On the Radio

“5 Tips for Songwriting Success in the New Year”

Duets and Featured Artists: The Hot Trend in Recording

Overcoming Obstacles to Songwriting Success

"What Makes a Song a Worldwide Phenomenon"

Country Music: What’s New—and What’s Next

Setting Attainable Songwriting Goals

10 Tips for Switching Gears

5 Tips for Songwriting Success in Today’s Music Industry

How to Write a Song That’s Fun to Listen to — and Fun to Sing

Tips for Writing the Next Big Thing

When to Turn On and Turn Off Your Internal Songwriting Editor

Breaking Through Writer’s Block

Are You Sure Your Song Is Finished

What Genre Are You Really Writing?

Do Your Songs Sound Like Today’s Hits …. or Tomorrow’s?

How to Write and Pitch Songs for the J-Pop and K-Pop Markets

What Makes An Artist Say, “I Have to Record This Song?"

"The Art of Rewriting"

“Current Trends in Country Music: What’s Hot & What’s Not”

How To Stay Positive About Songwriting

The “3 P’s” of Songwriting Success

What's HOT--and What's Not--In Songwriting

“5 Tips for a Happy Marriage of Music and Lyrics”

5 Tips to Rebound, Reset, and Reinvigorate Your Songwriting

The Most Important Trait for Songwriters and Recording Artists - Persistence

10 Ways to Push the Creative Envelope With Your Songs

Producers, Songwriters, and Recording Artists: What Each Can Contribute

5 Tips for Coping When Songs Are Rejected

5 Things to Do in the First 30 Seconds of Your Song

In the Hope of a Hit, Write From Your Heart, Not Just For The Chart

What Makes a Song a Hit

“5 Tips to Turn Good Songs to HIT Songs”

"Writing and Placing Songs Internationally"

 

Magazine Articles/Songwriting Tips

 

“I learned more from reading these articles than I did from four years of getting a degree in songwriting and music business.” (Attendee at NSAI’s Song Camp)

 

Click on the Title to Read the Article

 

Melody

How to Stretch Yourself Melodically

5 Ways to Make Your Melodies More Memorable

How (and Why) to Rewrite Your Melodies

Are Your Songs Too Repetitious – or Not Repetitious Enough?

Using Chords and Modulations As Musical Hooks in Your Songs

Are Your Songs Too Rangy?

What’s the difference Between a Signature Lick and an Intro

3 Tips to Shake Up Your Melodies

What's Hot & What's Not When it Comes to Instrumentation

The Top 5 Melody Pitfalls -- and How to Avoid Them

How To Write Song Hooks That “Hook” You In

The Power of Post-Choruses

Breakthrough Hits and Signature Songs: What Can They Teach Us?

5 Tips for Strengthening Your Song’s Melodic Hooks


Lyrics

The Best Places for Your Title

Show – Don’t Tell: 3 Steps to Writing Better Lyrics

10 Words to Avoid in Your Lyrics

Tips for Writing Great Story Songs

Which Point of View Is Best for Your Song

5 Common Lyric Mistakes -- and How to Avoid Them

3 Tips for Writing to a Title

Writing Songs In Times of Crises

Get Inspired by Writing Songs to a Prompt

The Most Important Lines of Lyric

Tips for Supporting Your Song’s Title

How to Write Non-Visual Lyrics That Engage Listeners

Don’t Let The Truth Get in the Way of a Great Song

When Clever is Too Clever in Songwriting

The Secret to Writing Great Wedding Songs

The Top 5 Lyric Pitfalls--and How to Avoid Them

Finding Great Song Titles and Fresh Angles

5 Song Rhyming Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

5 Tips for Making Your Lyrics Stand Out

When it Comes to Song Titles, Don't Hit the Nail Too Squarely On the Head

Tips for Writing Songs About Anything…But Love

How to Write Lyrics That Are Both Personal AND Universal

How To Use The “List Technique” in Your Song  

 

Taking Care of Business

5 Tips to Make Time for Your Music

5 Lessons I've Learned About the Songwriting Business

How to Get Your Music on Playlists: Demystifying the Process

I Know I Have a GREAT song....Now What?

Are Your Songs Hitting the Right Target?

How to Create the Perfect Lyric Sheet

What to Say and Do When You Meet a Publisher For the First Time

Staff-Writing: What it Really Means and How to Get a Deal

How Hard Would You Work for a Hit

Bring Me Something New -- What Song Publishers Really Mean

Pitch Perfect: The Do’s and Don’ts of Pitching Songs

What If the Music You Love to Write Isn’t What’s On the Charts?

Casting Songs: How to Gauge Which Artist is Right for Your Song

Strategies and Etiquette for “Writing Up”

Networking Tips From an Expert

Do You Need to Move to a Music Center

How Much Would You Pay To Advance Your Songwriting Career?

How to Place "Outside" Songs

5 Steps to Getting a YES From Publishers

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Casting Your Songs

5 Tips to Help Find Good Homes for Your Songs

Song Critiques: Which Ones Should You Trust

How To “Sell” Your Songs

The Ups and Downs of Songs “On Hold”

Poor Man’s Copyright is No Substitute For the Real Thing

5 Ways to Get “Lucky"

The 5 Skills You Need to Be a Successful Music Publisher

Tips for Livestreaming Your Music from Home

Are Your Song Pitches as Perfect as They Should Be


Demos

The "Perfect" Demo

How To Get the Demo You Need

Does Your Song Need a New Demo

Which Recording Mixes Do you Need to Increase Your Chances of Getting

The Top 5 Demo Pitfalls -- and Their Remedies

 

Sync Licensing (Film/TV)

 

Increase Your Sync Licensing

What Kinds of Songs Work Best for TV and Film Placements – and How Do You Find Them?

Placing Music On TV and in Films

 

Collaboration

 

The Perfect Collaborator

How To Prepare For a Co-Writing Session

The Inside Track to Writing Songs With Artists

The Pros & Cons of Co-Writing in Person vs. Online

5 Ways to be a Better Collaborator

3 Tips for a Successful Cowrite

The Good, the Bad, and the Hits That Come From Collaboration

Avoiding and Resolving Conflicts Between Collaborators

Tips For Co-Writing Songs When You Can't Be in the Same Room  

Christmas & Holiday Songs

Writing and Placing Christmas & Holiday Songs

 

Miscellaneous

Hooks: How Many Are Enough

The Difference Between Writing for Yourself vs. Other Artists

The Power of Hybrids

10 Ways to Wake Up Your Muse

How Many Songs Should You Write?

The #1 Mistake Writers and Artists Make

The Most Important Part of Persistence

Top Songwriting Tips for 2023 

What Makes a Song Iconic

Tips to Cope With Stage Fright

The 3 "Ps" of Songwriting Success

The How & Why of Building Bridges In Your Songs

How to Write to a Music Track: The Art of Toplining

Top Tips From 2021 That Can Put You on the Road to Songwriting Success in 2022

Reality Check: Looking at Your Songs Objectively

What If Your Songs Are “Better” Than Those On the Radio

5 Tips for Songwriting Success in the New Year

Duets and Featured Artists: The Hot Trend in Recording

Overcoming Obstacles to Songwriting Success

What Makes a Song a Worldwide Phenomenon

Country Music: What’s New—and What’s Next

Setting Attainable Songwriting Goals

10 Tips for Switching Gears

5 Tips for Songwriting Success in Today’s Music Industry

How to Write a Song That’s Fun to Listen to — and Fun to Sing

Tips for Writing the Next Big Thing

When to Turn On and Turn Off Your Internal Songwriting Editor

Breaking Through Writer’s Block

Are You Sure Your Song Is Finished

What Genre Are You Really Writing?

Do Your Songs Sound Like Today’s Hits …. or Tomorrow’s?

How to Write and Pitch Songs for the J-Pop and K-Pop Markets

What Makes An Artist Say, “I Have to Record This Song?"

The Art of Rewriting

Current Trends in Country Music: What’s Hot & What’s Not

How To Stay Positive About Songwriting

The “3 P’s” of Songwriting Success

What's HOT--and What's Not--In Songwriting

5 Tips for a Happy Marriage of Music and Lyrics

5 Tips to Rebound, Reset, and Reinvigorate Your Songwriting

The Most Important Trait for Songwriters and Recording Artists - Persistence

10 Ways to Push the Creative Envelope With Your Songs

Producers, Songwriters, and Recording Artists: What Each Can Contribute

5 Tips for Coping When Songs Are Rejected

5 Things to Do in the First 30 Seconds of Your Song

In the Hope of a Hit, Write From Your Heart, Not Just For The Chart

What Makes a Song a Hit

5 Tips to Turn Good Songs to HIT Songs

Writing and Placing Songs Internationally