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The Craft of Songwriting

 

The Craft of Songwriting - turntable and computer.jpg

 

The Craft of Songwriting Blog Category

Do you like writing songs, but get stuck when inspiration dries up? Do you enjoy the songs you’ve made, but feel they could be better? Songwriting is both a craft and an art. That’s why I named the category The Craft of Songwriting, so I can help you learn how to write well-crafted songs.

 

The art happens when ideas seem to come out of nowhere, sometimes coming together like magic. The craft comes in when you look at what you have written and ask yourself, “Hmm… can I make this better?” Then, you use songwriting strategies to sculpt and shape the raw ideas in your song.

 

Also, how do you defeat writer’s block? It can be a pain when inspiration ditches you. What do you do then?

 

Let me tell you a story.

 

My Story

Back in 1988, I got my worst case of writer’s block ever. Up to this point, when I wanted to write a song, I just did it. But suddenly, the ideas just would not flow. Dealing with my writer’s block forced me to also work on my craft and actually made my writing a lot stronger.

 

Fast forward a decade, I became involved with the Boston Songwriter’s Workshop (BSW). I started sharing my starter ideas and writer’s tips in articles for the BSW Newsletter. When I became the director of the BSW, I organized and taught special events as well.

 

Now I am going to share these starter ideas and writer’s tips with you too in the blog category The Craft of Songwriting.

 

Songwriting and More

The Craft of Songwriting blog category obviously focuses on writing lyrics and music. However, the Rock Star series of posts from the Intonation Blog Category has information on playing in alternate tunings that guitarists will find helpful. Singers should check out the Singing in Tune Blog Category.

 

Posts

Cornerstone Category Post:

 

Songwriting Posts:

 

Related Content

Guitar:

 

Ensemble:

 

Singing in Tune:

 

The previous topic lists will be updated periodically. See the post grid below for the full list and full descriptions with featured images.

 

– Geoffrey Keith

 

© 2022 Geoffrey Keith

 

Back to the Successful Music Student Blogs page

 

How Do I Write Good Songs Using Metaphors and Similes - Woman Working on Computer - Does ADD and ADHD Make People More Creative

How Do I Write Good Songs Using Metaphors and Similes?

The Craft of Songwriting / /

Do you want to write better songs using vivid imagery? Do you need to learn about figurative imagery? Figurative imagery expands your pallet of description beyond just literal imagery. Metaphors and similes are important literary tropes that help you to do just that. Read more to learn the answer to the question, “How do I write good songs using metaphors and similes?” Estimated reading time 2 minutes.

How Do I Write Good Songs Using Metaphors and Similes? Read More »

Do You Want Cool Chords for Your Song - Sheet Music with Chords - after they can sight-read what’s left for musicians to learn - Can I Become a Music Teacher if I Have Special Needs - Need Advice for Teaching a First Year High School Jazz Pianist - Tonic vs. Root in Music Theory - What Exactly Does I7-vi7-V7, I-iii-IV-I, and IV-V-I-V Mean - Chord Progression (Including the 12 Bar Blues) - What Is the Precise Meaning of Scaffolding in Teaching - An Easy How to Guide to Understanding Triads - Why Is EADGBE the Unquestioned Standard Guitar Tuning?

What Exactly Does I7-vi7-V7, I-iii-IV-I, and IV-V-I-V Mean? (Part 3)

The Craft of Songwriting / /

Do the Roman numerals used to analyze music make your eyes cross? Do you want someone to explain how it works? Roman numeral analysis might seem a bit cryptic. However, it can be really useful once you understand it. Read more answer the question, “What exactly does I7-vi7-V7, I-iii-IV-I, and IV-V-I-V mean?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

What Exactly Does I7-vi7-V7, I-iii-IV-I, and IV-V-I-V Mean? (Part 3) Read More »

Tonic vs. Root in Music Theory: Are They the Same Thing? (Part 2) - Sheet Music and Pencil - How to Graduate from Color Coded Music Symbols - Musical Talent and Giftedness

Tonic vs. Root in Music Theory: Are They the Same Thing? (Part 2)

The Craft of Songwriting / /

Are you confused about the difference between the root and the tonic in music theory? Some musicians treat the terms root and tonic as if they were interchangeable. However, they have different, but equally important roles in music theory. Click to learn the difference between the tonic vs. root in music theory. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

Tonic vs. Root in Music Theory: Are They the Same Thing? (Part 2) Read More »

Can Someone Explain Roman Numeral Analysis in Layman's Terms for Me - Lego Roman - Tonic vs. Root in Music Theory - What’s the Deal with These i-VII-VI-V and iv-V-VII Chords and Stuff

Can Someone Explain Roman Numeral Analysis in Layman’s Terms for Me? (Part 1)

The Craft of Songwriting / /

“Can someone explain Roman Numeral Analysis in layman’s terms for me?” The Roman numerals you see in music might seem arcane. However, once you get a handle on them, they can really help your understanding of music. Click to have the secrets of music theory explained in simple terms. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.

Can Someone Explain Roman Numeral Analysis in Layman’s Terms for Me? (Part 1) Read More »

What is Required of Me to Write a Good Song if I Have no Experience with Songwriting - Girl Playing Guitar on Beach - Positives to Dyslexia - Everything is Connected to Everything - How to Write a Song with a Catchy Chorus (Including Lyrics)

What is Required of Me to Write a Good Song if I Have No Experience with Songwriting?

The Craft of Songwriting / / ,

Do you want to write songs, but don’t know where to start? To write a song, you need both imagination and the skill to put your imagination to work. If you see pictures in the clouds and have words and melodies pop into your head, songwriting will be well suited to your abilities. Click to answer the question, “What is required of me to write a good song if I have no experience with songwriting?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

What is Required of Me to Write a Good Song if I Have No Experience with Songwriting? Read More »

How Do I Get the Music and Lyrics to Match Together – Musician Singing

How Do I Get the Music and Lyrics to Match Together in My Songwriting?

The Craft of Songwriting / / ,

Frustrated that you can’t get the mood of your music and lyrics to match? Do you have problems getting the syllables of your lyrics to work with the music? If you answered, “yes,” you have problems with prosody in your songwriting. Read more to answer the question, “How do I get the music and lyrics to match together in my songwriting?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

How Do I Get the Music and Lyrics to Match Together in My Songwriting? Read More »