Songwriting for Everyone
Episodes
EPISODE #48 - Songwriting - Song Analysis: "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran
22 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe discusses the techniques of songwriting, chord cycles, chord and non-chord tones, rhythmic and melodic motives, repetition of mo...
EPISODE #47 - Songwriting with Unlimited Chord Progressions
13 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast Joe illustrates how, through the use of an unlimited reservoir of chords and their progressions, songwriters will never be at a loss f...
EPISODE #46 - Songwriting - Song Analysis: "Circles" by Post Malone
03 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe discusses the techniques of songwriting, Chord Cycles, Chord and Non-Chord Tones, Rhythmic and Melodic Motives, Repetition of Mo...
Podcast #45 - Songwriting - Song Analysis: - "Bad Guy" 2019
21 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast Joe analyzes "Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish O'Connell and Finneas O'Connell. Discussed are techniques such as implied ...
Podcast #44 - Songwriting - Songs through Time - "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
16 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast Joe analyzes Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Discussed is the impact of this song on modern songwriting and the te...
Podcast #43 - Songwriting - Songs through Time - "Something" Guitar Solo
09 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast Joe analyzes George Harrison's guitar solo. George's solo, considered by many his finest, is a textbook example of a how to ...
Podcast #42 - Songwriting - Songs through Time - "Something" 1969
02 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this series of podcasts Joe traces the evolution of song from the Middle Ages until the present. In "Something" by George Harrison we hav...
Podcast #41 - Songwriting - Songs through Time -Troubadours and Trouveres ,12th -13th centuries
20 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe discusses the influence on music, poetry, songwriting and history in general by the Troubadours and Trouveres. They were the first...
Podcast #40 - Songwriting - Songs through Time - "Laura" 1944
14 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this series of podcasts Joe traces the evolution of song from the Middle Ages until the present. Throughout time, songs have mirrored the lives of ...
Episode #39 -Songwriting - Lyrics and Intervals
06 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe discusses and illustrates the importance of linking a certain lyric with a particular interval. This connection underscores the im...
Episode #38 Songwriting - Modulation
31 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe discusses the use of shifting keys and tonalities in creating an unlimited reservoir of chord progressions. This influences melodi...
EPISODE #37 - Songwriting - Song Analysis: Sucker by The Jonas Brothers
22 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe discusses the use of songwriting techniques such as repetition, repetition with variation, ambiguity, motivic development, lyric a...
Episode #36 Songwriting - Bass Lines for Songwriters
14 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe examines various techniques for songwriters making a demo or finished recording of their songs, utilizing the baseline to make a m...
EPISODE #35 - Songwriting - Song Analysis: You Need To Calm Down by Taylor Swift
03 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe discusses the use of Songwriting, Chord Cycles, Chord and Non-Chord Tones, Rhythmic and Melodic Motives, Repetition of Motives e...
Episode #34 - Songwriting - Songs Without Words
30 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we hear 5 songs composed for flute and classical guitar using the compositional method Counterpoint, as well as chords formed by 2nds,...
Episode #33 Songwriting - A Modal Song -Part 2
27 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe constructs a Modal Song's Background using the Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian and Mixolydian Modes - however this time we move into...
Episode #32 Songwriting - A Modal Song
24 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe constructs a Modal Song's Background using the Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian and Mixolydian Keys for the Intro, Verse, Pre Chorus,...
Episode #31 - Songwriting with Modal Scales and Keys - Mixolydian
18 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe continues discussing the construction of Modal Scales and Keys along with the use of the Mixolydian Key in creating chord prog...
Episode #30 - Songwriting with Modal Scales and Keys - Lydian
14 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe continues discussing the construction of Modal Scales and Keys along with the use of the Lydian Key in creating chord progress...
Episode #29 - Songwriting with Modal Scales and Keys - Phrygian
12 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe continues discussing the construction of Modal Scales and Keys along with the use of the Phrygian Key in creating chord progre...
Episode #28 - Songwriting with Modal Scales and Keys - Dorian
06 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe discusses the construction of Modal Scales and Keys along with the use of the Dorian Key in creating chord progressions for use ...
Episode #27 - Songwriting - The Use of "Sound-Color-Melody" (Klangenfarbenmelodie)
03 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe discusses the use of "Sound-Color-Melody" (Klangenfarbenmelodie). Techniques covered include: Aleatoric Music, Pandiaton...
Episode #26 - Songwriting with Minor Scales and Keys
01 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe discusses the use of Minor scales - Natural, Harmonic and Melodic - in the construction of chords, keys and progressions.Songwriti...
EPISODE #25 - Songwriting - Song Analysis: Mary Jane's Last Dance by Tom Petty
29 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe discusses the use of Chord Cycles, Chord and Non-Chord Tones, Melodic and Rhythmic Patterns, Instrumental Interludes, Symmetrica...
Episode #24 - Songwriting with Motives (Motifs)
29 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe discusses the use of Motives in developing a melody.Elements discussed include: Repetition, Sequence, Augmentation, Diminution, Ra...
Episode #23 - Songwriting - Song Analysis: "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X, featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
24 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This year "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X broke the record to become the longest consecutive No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.At just ...
Episode #22 - Songwriting with Dominant 7th Chords
23 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe discusses the use of secondary dominant chords, applying Dominant 7th Chords to the I, II, III, IV and VI Chords to add color, dis...
Episode #21 - Songwriting with Chord and Non-Chord Tones
28 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe shows how the interplay of Chord and Non-Chord Tones are used to create varying degrees of color and tension vs. calm.The Chord to...
Episode #20 - Songwriting with Suspended and Added Note Chords
10 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Joe discusses how suspended chords and added note chords are formed, and how they are used by songwriters to add varying degrees of c...
Episode #19 - Songwriting - Song Analysis: "Mercy" by Shawn Mendes
02 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe breaks down the song "Mercy" by Shawn Mendes, in order to look at the craft that went into creating this work, and to us...
Episode #18 - Songwriting - Song Analysis: "Under The Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
11 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe looks at the songwriting technique of rock group Red Hot Chili Peppers in their song "Under The Bridge." He looks at the...
Episode #17 - Song Analysis: "Reelin' In The Years" by Steely Dan
03 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe looks at the songwriting technique of hit group Steely Dan in their song "Reelin' In The Years."He looks at the son...
Episode #16 - Songwriting Chord Progressions with the Minor 7th and Dominant 7th Chords
29 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we move beyond Major chord progressions, adding color to our song by introducing the Minor 7th and Dominant 7th chords.
Episode #15 - Songwriting - 1,848 Alternative C Chords for the Guitar to Give you Songwriting Freedom
23 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe shows how the 1,848 Alternative C Chords in his book, "Guitar Chords for the 21st Century" can be used to give you creat...
Episode #14 - Songwriting with the II Chord | Diminished Chords
14 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe shows how to use the II Chord in songwriting, incorporating it into your chord progressions. He also introduces the concept of a D...
Episode #13 - Chords and Progressions - Using the III Chord in Songwriting
08 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Joe shows how to use the III Chord in songwriting, incorporating it into your chord progressions.
Episode #12 - Songwriting Four-Chord Progressions with the VI Chord
07 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our last podcast we covered how to create songs with three chords, like the Blues. In this episode we will add in the sixth (VI) chord in the key t...
Episode #11 - Chords and Progressions - The Blues - 3 Chord Songs
03 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Joe shows how chords and progressions are used to build songs, using 3-chord songs and blues progressions as examples.
Episode #10 - Completing the Song
30 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we complete our song with all elements included: Backing Track, Intro, Verse, Pre-Chorus ,Chorus ,Bridge, and Outro.
Episode #9 - "Take it to the Bridge" Pt. 2 - The Outro
22 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we continue working on "The Bridge" for our song, moving on to the section known as "The Outro."
Episode #8 - "Take it to the Bridge"
18 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we discuss the musical section called "The Bridge" - its history and formation. For songwriter examples Joe uses songs by Ri...
Episode #7 - Adding the 2nd Verse
15 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we'll review our song components so far - the Introduction, 1st Verse, Pre-Chorus and Chorus. Then we'll move on to adding t...
Episode #6 - The Chorus
08 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we work on the chorus for our song. For examples of chorus development, Joe uses songs from Rihanna and Ed Sheeran.
Episode #5 - Developing the Pre-Chorus
08 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we work on developing the pre-chorus for our song. Joe uses examples including Stay by Rihanna, and three songs by Ed Sheeran: Perfec...
Episode #4 - Four Musical Phrases and the First Verse
30 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we will add our fourth musical phrase, and work on the first verse for your song. Songwriting examples that Joe references in this ep...
Episode #3 - Combining Three Musical Phrases
20 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we continue building our song by adding a third musical phrase. Joe discusses how this is done in songs by Steely Dan and Santana.
Episode #2 - Combining Two Musical Phrases to Build Your Song
18 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our second episode, we take our musical phrase from the 1st lesson/episode, and add a second phrase, building towards our first song.
Episode #1 - Getting Started: Creating a Musical Phrase
22 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In our first episode, we start writing a song by learning about musical phrases, the building blocks of songs.