I'm amazed at the amount of ignorant comments. People don't appear to realize that songwriting is a craft as well as an art. Not only craft can be taught but she is an excellent teacher, and the techniques that she is sharing are pure gold - if you have the ears to receive it.
Music is (foremost) a JOB, it's work. By the time you get to be on that stage, you have done a ton of work. That work needs to be recognised...and loved...
Your skepticism is a good thing However, there are tools for songwriting that can be learned to improve our craft. Those tools don't need to replace our original process, but can offer flexibility and growth. When those tools combine with our inspiration, that's when magic can really happen. If you're looking for raw art, look elsewhere than Billboard top 100. Just because you asked, you will find some of my songs there as well. Search for a process that works for you if this isn't it.
I like the melody! If i had come up with those motifs i would’ve make the prechorus, the chorus, with the necessary changes in other sections obviously . I’ll be listening to your songs!
Thank you so much for this. Very well explained. Melodic motif: the fingerprint or DNA of a song that belongs only to that song. It is pitch and rhythm e.g. 4 notes. Pick a motif and then add techniques. Techniques: 1. Repetition 2. Lengthening 3. Contrast with the next section (chorus or pre-chorus) E.g change in note length, raised pitch, shorter phrases, half-measure motif, add new/change motif 4. Start the phrase/melody before the downbeat in the pre-chorus & chorus (in the verse it started after the downbeat)
It doesn't hurt to have some theory down, it can only help you expand your creativity. Before, I was writing purely by feel but after reading Andrea's "Popular Lyric Writing" I'm able to write more engaging songs and with greater ease. Don't hate, you'd be surprised how many of your favourite artists have learned and used the exact things that Andrea has mentioned.
Thanks for this great lesson, you made the concept of motif and how to use it in an actual song very clear! And what a beautiful motif and moving harmonic accompaniment!
Wonderful, it is really nice to meet amazing people, my songs are going to be different from now one. That is going to add a lot flavor for sure. Many Thanks...! Listened to Arvil, as well and it is same style as you did, how wonderful.
This is awesome! Thank you so much confirmation of everything big starts small. Alot has been learned and benefited here. I look forward to be an awesome song writer one day just like you Andrea. Thank you for this video.
This is the best lesson on songwriting I have found on youtube.com so far. It's obvious this lady understand song structure. I approach screenwriting in a very structure orientated way, so this is how I would prefer to approach songwriting. I'm just learning to play guitar, but I'd like to write some songs once I feel comfortable enough playing where I can make up some simple melodies and riffs. If anyone knows of a better songwriting instructor (free is best), please let me know.
Love this channel... Great, love Berklee, our friend Ed Roland went there! It's amazing how simple songwriting is if you can just remember all the things you learned at the moment of writing the song. So much to consider! Great melodies are hard to write. Ximre's session player talks about general beginner writing ideas and ways to write songs. Ximre has their first video out March 1, 2018.
Many of these comments remind me of the old joke: "How many guitarists does it take to change a lightbulb?" Answer: "100. One to change the lightbulb and 99 to stand around and say 'I can do it better than that." Stop being competitive and enjoy what other musicans have to offer. Or go make your music that's "better" and leave the rest of us alone already. Andrea, thanks for your efforts, I found this most helpful!
That is so brutal, but so damn true. I literally just got into a heated argument with someone in a youtube comments section today who was doing that, I dont even know if they're actually a musician but i find people who actually take music seriously dont tend to go into comments sections to try to convince everyone else theyre a musician because they already know they are. Its always the ones that dont actually do it that have to go around and proclaim thats what they are, and they're only fooling themselves because its obvious to everyone else how insecure they are. And what's more, they like to get all skeptical if you say you're a musician, as if you care or if from reading your comment they could actually tell. A legitimate musician may be ale to tell based on whether or not they seem to know what they're talking about but you cant tell if they arent giving any signs, its all in how they portray it and the language they do or dont use. But it seems like the ones that go around being a dick about it are the ones that just picked up an instrument and learned maybe 5 songs, and they now feel accomplished and want everyone to know they're the best musician, and after a week or two they don't pick up the instrument again. I've known so many people like that.
"I'm with you" is a song you use often...I remember backing a girl a while ago and that was one of her favorites...and I notice that you refer to it often!
Excellent video!! Clear, and we'll explained. I am grateful. Now I can see why Ben Folds "Brick" was so powerful and well structured. Thank you for sharing your tips!
I found you on Berklee Andrea, this is going to be my last try at learning to make tune to song I have written and find out how to play it which chords to choose etc. I have subbed you. I'm from Oswestry, Shropshire UK Thank you!
Nice to meet you Andre Stoelpe,Love the way you approach teaching songwritting.Hope to get into the Berklee EdX . Just purchasd your ebook through google playstore and it's very good so far :-)
I just love your eloquent way of speaking &'teaching. You're knowledge & musicianship are priceless & I am thankful for your gracious gift. My band & I write hard rock kinda like early Heart, Evanescences, etc. We seem to struggle with our ballads. We start out with a nice repetition of arpeggios for the verse, bridge &'chorus. It sounds ok, except that it always feels like these songs need to flourish into more towards the mid section traveling towards the second chorus, but it always seems abrupt & clumsy. It sounds forced,. What would you do in these situations? Take care.
Really good video I've been stuck trying to write another song and this really made me think about my approach to writing. I tend to write by just doing it and often I feel dissatisfied with the results but by doing something simple by just really doing a section and seeing how it contrasts with another is quite effective!
Tom Sullivan These techniques are legit designed to teach you to write the most generic song ever. I suppose once you understand the concepts of generic songwritng, you can then make it unique. Lol idk why I’m responding this was so long ago
Andrea, this video helped me a lot. I've been writing for a few years but for some reason I never tried to look into certain definitions or methods outside of listening to music and breaking down and studying songs and lyrics I like, (especially leonard cohen, my god his lyrics are just, so good). But this helps a lot, I appreciate this. Also, I am so damn sorry all these dudes are objectifying you in the comments, its really gross to see how people get when they're essentially anonymous on the internet. I bet it gets tiring to have to see all that every time you go over comments.
i agree with you in some ways. This girl is good and has writing techniques but what makes an artist an artist is making his own stuffs and style. Musicians study how to play instruments and explore them by themselves and experiment by doing something new..i love School of Rock too!!! This girl should go out there play her own songs even though some artist already sang those.
Andrea, I wrote 19 note books of songs, so far.. I have no clue how to do quality recording, can you help me maybe get in touch with folks that need songs, etc, maybe they can record it and make a hit, like how Bob Dylan let people use his songs, but he still got paid by it? Any way you can maybe help me get it happening with the music, if you want to, thanks.
awesome and very inspiring... thank you... and as for the smart ones posting negativities; research and factual information support criticisms . if you look at her website you'll see who's actually cut her songs. lol. and as for those who take lessons. wow, i guess you've never heard of john mayer or melissa ethridge who both went to berklee. john mayer actually said he wrote some of his first song in his first semester of the songwriting course. haha, this is blunt honesty... peace ns.
@trikespotter Actually, that quote was first found in a famous Woody Allen film which was produced when Jack Black was in diapers...lol. You'd be surprised how often and to what extent successful artists study their craft. It's usually those who are creatively blocked who perpetuate the notion that "you either got it or you don't" and that "true artists don't need to study or work at it". The whole process requires a great deal of work, technical, and spiritual. And the work never ends .
Wow! Not always I get someone to even half agree with my point of view. BTW, aren't you that girl who has the song Sana? I heard that. Love the production on it. Rock, without actually being rock. :D
@trikespotter im a finalist for make it break it awards iv just played my first gig im getting noticed and i started writing because of this video-so jog on :P
The whole point of song-writing is to illuminate "theory" and embrace "practice". You must write by feel. Once you achieve the foundation of a song through musical instinct and intuition, you can then worry about the theory by dissecting it to make sure it lives up to its optimum potential be it lyrically but especially musically. To write GOOD songs, you MUST understand music and have an ear. I have yet to hear of my faves who've learned this way. In any case, all the best to your song-writing!
Hi i have a question: So i wrote lyrics down on paper before putting some chords down the song is a sad rock song with Dm, Am, Bm, chords. but i am having trouble coming up with the melody part for it?
@izaacmusic1 Sheeks! I can't remember that. It's been a few years alright. When I think of Annie Hall, all I can picture at the moment is the dinner preparation scene. lol... Think it's about time I grabbed myself a copy again. - That's what I thought also about the 'not saying anything offensive', but it didn't stop some other eejits from resorting to immediate name calling. Emotionally unstable cats. lol...
Ok, so maybe I was a bit blunt. Each to their own I suppose. You always need a bit of theory just to get the ball rolling. Actually using the Billboard Top 100 as a reference was a really bad choice coz I don't care much for commercial music and I'm not even from the US. :D Just thought it was a suitable comparison at the time. In the music biz myself, but I'm just a stubborn fool who believes in original talent more so than "by the book" stuff. No disrespect intended. Keep up the good work! :D
Hello, I want to write a song, and I never have before. I have a son who is not with me and it has devastated me. I am trying to write a song about the experience. However, every time I attempt it, I end up rambling or writing whole paragraphs. Also, I was reading some of the comments and people actually believe that you are not good if you are not on the Billboard hits list. Anyone with half a brain knows that Billboard hits are not necessarily talent; but rather good to a vast majority. The true gems are the people that produce some good music, but they are not popularized. I am not saying Michelle Branch and Avril Lavigne are bad. But, I am saying that the reason you might not hear from Michelle and others is because they realized what the industry was doing to them and their music and left those record companies to find someone who truly cared. I need help, but I don't have a lot of money. Plus, I don't want someone helping me who might try to pass my song off as their own. I would like to make the song for my son and release it to the media in a limited capacity. Although, from a business standpoint, if it is restricted it might not generate as much revenue or publicity as I would like. Anyway, if you know how to help me, I would appreciate it. Sorry about the RU-vid novella.
I think it is wonderful that you want to use music to help channel your emotions, and in doing so kind of help yourself deal with them. I also enjoy expressing myself with music. It is hard because you do get discouraged when you try to compare yourself to top 40 people. I don't like to compare my work to others in that way very often, but it does happen and there is no avoiding it. I am curious to know what kind of equipment you are using to record. I have found that it literally takes thousands of dollars to acquire even the least amount of tools. Start of with some kind of DAW. Cubase is a very good one, and is user friendly. Also, invest in a good microphone. Nothing under 150-200$. You will probably also need at least a keyboard and some kind of audio interface. We haven't even got to the monster topic of speakers and head phones. Of course this is for recording. You can take a guitar and sing your heart out, but you are going to need to record it. I don't like the idea of paying a studio because it usually charges by the hour, and I have sat for endless hours before I come up with something I like. I don't think even the wealthiest person could ever afford to do that. Anyway, starting with videos like this one is a good start. Even after all these years I am still studying the general rules or mechanics of song writing. It is a practice, very few master such a thing. And also remember when you are making music that you are tapping into our most ancient form of art. It is something that is very sacred and magical. Don't let yourself worry about if anyone is going to like it. You are doing it for yourself and as long as you try to follow some simple rules like this video and others provide you should be off to a good start. That being said, music is art and it is constantly changing and evolving. I'm sure if you look at the money some of these screamer bands are making you would realize that there is a place for every type of song or singing style. So now I am rambling, just moved by your desire to express yourself, and I hope you birth a beautiful song that will commemorate your lost love and make him smile.
+éanna o'sullivan I want to write a song about not being able to raise my son. I love him and I was ready for motherhood, but it was ripped away from me. I wish I had seen your message long ago. I wrote out a poem, but I lost it. I don't even know if it could have been turned into a song.
This is clearly a very delicate matter but I am going on the basis that your son was taken from you via forced adoption or the loss of parental rights but is still alive and healthy?
@andreastolpe heya-can i thank you for poasting this vid iv written some great material and came top 6 in my agegroup (14-16) for make it break it awards :D (an international british songwriting competition) kind regards from across the pond arthur
Only those who can do can teach e.i. Andres Segovia's Masterclass, Kurt Vonnegut's/E.B. White's/ Frank Lloyd Wright's Collegiate History. There is a curve in education just like everywhere else in the world. Just because you had a subpar gym teacher doesn't mean you can't learn a thing or two from this woman.
