The "Hook"

Name: The "Hook"
Rating: 4.5 (53 reviews)

Learn how to create a "Catchy Hook" for your song, from Motown' gold and platinum songwriter Clay Drayton

Created byClay Drayton

Last updated 1/2016

English

What you'll learn

At the end of of my course, students will understand why a catchy hook is necessary for their song, and how to create one. They will be able to create a great title, compose a memorable melody for their title, make a title from a melody, write a hook from a pre-recorded music track, and how to present their song to a producer, publishing company or record label.

Course content

1 section • 27 lectures • 1h 16m total length

Course Overview4:31
What is a HOOK?4:51
Many have asked the question, "What is the difference between the Chorus and the Hook? In this course the student will understand the difference between a Chorus and a Hook and how each is used.
What makes a Great Title?5:39
In this course the student is shown why their song Hook needs a Great Title, what makes a Great Title, and how to create one.
Where do you find a Great Title?0:32
I am often asked this question by songwriters, "Where do you find a Great Title". In this course I help the student understand that there are many ways that are available to them that are right at hand.
How to find Great Titles in Conversations3:14
Great Titles can be found in every conversation we hear or are engaged in. This is a training session for the students' ears to help them recognize Great Titles in every conversation they hear, and use it to their advantage.
How to find Titles in Magazines and Books2:46
Titles for song Hooks can be found wherever there are words in print. But you need a "trained eye". This is an eye-opening lesson for finding Titles in books and magazines you read.
How to find Titles in Street Signs2:46
Street signs give direction and are a great source for Great Titles. The students will be shown how to stop, look and turn the street and highway signs into Titles for their song Hooks.
How to find Titles in Commercials0:50
Commercials are not just to sell you product but are also a great resource for finding Titles for a song Hook. This course will show the students how to spot them.
How to find Titles in Movies and TV3:26
Everyone loves to watch a great movie or their favorite TV program. This course shows the students how to capture great lines that are being quoted by the actors and turning them into great Titles for their song Hooks
How to find Titles in Cliche's1:45
Everyone uses cliche's at one time or another. Why not use them as Titles for your song Hooks? This video will show the studentds how.
How to find Titles in Life Experiences1:44
Everyone has life experiences daily. Why not use them as ideas to create a Title for your song Hook? This lesson will show students how to their dreams or dramas into wonderful Hooky Titles.
How to find Titles in Social Media1:06
Social media is used by almost everyone many times and in many ways daily. It is also a gold mine that is rich in great Hook titles. The student will learn how to prospect and strike it rich in finding great Titles for their song Hooks in this segment.
How to find Titles in Numbers1:13
Nobody likes being a number, But, this video will show students how to turn numbers into song Titles for their Hooks. Several songs that have numbers for their Hooky titles are listed as examples.
How to compose a Melody for your Title6:21
This lesson gives instructions on how to compose a melody for a song Hook. Students will be able to compose a melody for their song Hook from a Title they have created.
List of Short Hooks5:45
Many songwriters feel they need to create long choruses for their songs, which can be hard for the public to remember. Most publishing companies and producers today are looking for Great Short Hooks. In this course Here, the student is given a list of hit songs that have very short Hooks that are memorable, which will encourage them to do likewise.
Bass Hooks3:47
The Bass Guitar was once in the background. But not today! The bass has been placed dominantly in the foreground as a Hook in many songs. This lesson will encourage students to use different types of Hooks for their songs; instrumental or vocally. As a bonus, I personally play several Bass Hooks to demonstrate songs with Bass Hooks.
How to create a Hook from a Drum Beat5:03
Students learn how to create a song Hook by listening to a Drum Beat. I give examples and provide a track with a Drum Beat so the students can practice creating a Hook. Those who don't play an instrument can benefit because they will not have to use an instrument.
How to create a Hook for a Pre-Recorded music track4:08
Learn how to create a song Hook by listening to a pre-recorded music track.
How to create a Hook from a melody within a track2:40
This session is to help you identify the Strong Dominant Melody within the track, and then apply a Hook that best fits the mood and melody.
How to create a Hook for a Melancholy track3:06
Students will learn to match a sad or melancholy track with an appropriate title, and create a melody for it.
How to create Tag Lines for your Hook1:37
This video shows and explains the use of Tag Lines (extra lyrics) to help clarify the Hook.The students will be able to understand Tag Lines and know when they need to use Tag Lines in their Hook.
Collaboration (co-writing)1:18
Your song is always a "work in progress until recorded"1:25
What genre is best to write my song?1:11
How to protect your song2:29
BMI or ASCAP?1:20
When they ask for a "piece of your song".1:55

Requirements

No previous experience is necessary for taking this course. They only need to have a strong desire to learn how to write a song hook.

Description

This course covers, explains and details how to write a song Hook and its' use. In a step by step process the student will be shown what the difference is between the hook and the chorus and the parts that make up a catchy Hook.

They will learn how to create a strong Title for their Hook, which includes; "How to find Titles in Conversations", "How to find Titles in books and magazines", in social media, TV commercials, movies, street signs, etc.

Examples are given on composing melodies for titles, creating a melody from a pre-recorded music track, writing a melody for a sad or melancholy track, and creating a Hook from a drum beat. There is also a session on, "How to add a Tag Line to your Hook".

As a bonus, students will receive pre-recorded music tracks to practice creating their own Hooks. I give them an audio version of me creating ideas to a pre-recorded track, then give them an opportunity to create their own Hook to the track. In some instances, I demonstrate how I created a song Hook from start to finished product; the professional studio recording.

This course is to not to be rushed through. It is to be gone over slowly, many times until it is internalized. Songwriting in any form is an art, and should be not be treated like a speed reading course. It is for anyone who has the desire to understand the basics of writing a song Hook or for those who hunger to make songwriting a career.

Who this course is for:

This course is for anyone who desires to enhance their songwriting skills by learning how to create the most import part of the song; “The Hook”.