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
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
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
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?
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
The Ups and Downs of Songs “On Hold”
Poor Man’s Copyright is No Substitute For the Real Thing
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
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)
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
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
The Difference Between Writing for Yourself vs. Other Artists
How Many Songs Should You Write?
The #1 Mistake Writers and Artists Make
The Most Important Part of Persistence
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
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?"
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