Complete Guide to Songwriting

An introduction to section two, and what we'll be covering over the next few lectures.

In this lecture we take a look at the often difficult process of rewriting, and why being willing to rewrite parts of your compositions can have a dramatic impact on the quality of your songwriting. 

This lecture focuses on the concept of 'finishing' songs, following on from lecture 12 with some useful advice on how to approach your songs throughout the writing process. 

This article continues a discussion from section one, and covers the benefits of changing your environment, including some useful advice on how you can make subtle changes to improve the process of songwriting. 

This article looks at the issue of when you sit down to write your songs, and how you can alter your timings to impact your creative output. 

In this lecture we take a look at some of the classic song structures, and how you can experiment with structures to get different results. Some of the structures we'll look at include AAA, AABA, ABAB and ABABCB, including examples from Radiohead, Frank Sinatra and The Beatles. 

This lecture focuses on the structural elements of song composition, how they're used and how you can experiment with each one to create unique compositions. We'll look specifically at intros, verses, pre-choruses, choruses, bridges, solos and outros. 

In this lecture we focus on the choices available to you as a songwriter, and how limiting your choices can help you overcome creative blocks and push your abilities as a composer. 

In this article we look at conventions in songwriting, in particular at the pop genre. We will highlight a formula for writing the perfect pop song, addressing elements such as structure, tempo, length, subject matter and compositional restrictions.

In the final article of this section, we follow on from lecture 19 with an exercise in pop writing, challenging you to write to the pop formula. 

An introduction to section four, discussing what we'll be focusing on in the coming lectures. 

In this lecture we take a look at subject matter and the main concept for your songs. We'll discuss what constitutes a good idea, and how you can set your song apart from the crowd. 

This lecture covers the widely used and highly effective 3-step writing technique, as employed by numerous professional songwriters and lyricists the world over. We'll outline the technique, and show you how you can apply it to your own writing.

In this article we'll look at an exercise that will help you write titles, and discuss what elements make a good title. 

In this in-depth article we examine how you can improve your lyrics. We'll look at avoiding cliches, being consistent in tone and approach, using repetition, the importance of consistency and how you can portray genuine feeling and emotion. 

In the final article of this section, we take a look a rhyming and structure in modern composition. Using examples from the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, The Undertones and Bob Dylan, we'll look at the most commonly used rhyming structures and discuss the pros and cons of each one. 

In the first lecture of section 5, we'll introduce the concept of 'hooks', and discuss the impact they can have on your songwriting. We'll examine what constitutes a hook, using examples from the likes of Eric Clapton, Queen, Bon Jovi and Pink Floyd. 

This lecture follows on from 'Understanding Hooks', where we look at writing your own hooks. This lecture includes a full performance of an original song, which we'll break down in order to better cover how you can write hooks for your own songs. 

In the last lecture of this section, we'll look at 'magic moments' in songs, and discuss how they're different from traditional hooks. We'll also look at ways of introducing magic moments in your own compositions, and how they can change the impact and emotional resonance of your songs. 

In this lecture we recap some of the elements covered in this course, and discuss the importance of finding out what works for you. 

In the final video lecture of this course, we look at the importance and impact of regular practice, and how this can really make a difference to every element of your songwriting. 

In the last article of this section, and of the course, I'll give you some ideas, tips and suggestions for continuing your learning around composition and songwriting, including some further reading and next steps you can take to further your career in the music industry.