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There’s a HUGE ongoing debate in the music world about whether learning music theory is important – and if so, why is music theory important? If you’re reading this, then you’re probably wondering yourself! In particular, today’s musicians and songwriters want to know...
Finishing a season of your new favorite show in just one weekend? Simple. Finishing the last slice of pizza? Easy as pie. Finishing the song you've been writing for weeks? Now, that's tough! But just because you're having trouble completing a song doesn't...
![What Makes a Song Good? [5 Great Song Tips for Songwriters]](https://improvesongwriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/What-Makes-a-Song-Good-400x250.jpg)
"Dude... That. Song. ROCKED!" Have you ever said that? Have you heard a song that's reached into your soul and built a home for itself there? A good song can stay with you for your whole life. It's sometimes difficult to articulate what makes one song good and another...
![How Long Does It Take to Write a Song? [Plus 3 Tips to Write Faster!]](https://improvesongwriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/How-long-does-it-take-to-write-a-song-2-400x250.jpg)
"It takes 42 minutes to write a song." Just kidding... I wish it were that easy to predict! But as you probably know, writing a song isn't like working an assembly line – there is no precise, repeatable process to spit out a snazzy-sounding new song on demand....
![Do Songs Have to Rhyme? [Plus 3 Rhyme Schemes to Know!]](https://improvesongwriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Do-songs-have-to-rhyme-1-400x250.jpg)
When we listen to a song, it can often feel wrong if it doesn't rhyme. But don't start to fret if you can't rhyme yet – it happens all the time! (See what I did there? ... Ahem.) So, the question is: Do songs have to rhyme? Well, most songs in English tend to have...
Let's face it: songwriting is HARD sometimes. So if you need some quick ideas to break out of a rut or find inspiration, you're in luck! According to John Braheny in his incredible book The Craft and Business of Songwriting, there are 7 basic song plots (ie topic...
Think of the most recognizable song intros of all time: Perhaps the boom-boom-clap beat in “We Will Rock You”... Or the plaintive acoustic guitar and recorder riffs in “Stairway to Heaven.” What about the resonant acoustic guitar chords of...
Next to sideways baseball caps and pinky rings, there's just nothing cooler than the humble power chord. It's incredible what a blast of distortion from two notes can do to the human body – when you hear a few of these kick off a song, the headbanging is sure to...
Changing keys in music is an amazing effect that adds energy, contrast, and interest into your songs. Come on, give it a try... all the cool kids are doing it! https://giphy.com/gifs/bootsy-collins-jTByV2aZDFvuU If you're interested in learning how to change keys in...
Yes, there's a difference between hook and chorus in popular songs. (Just wanted to get that out of the way...) We all instinctively know what the chorus is: the section of a song that's usually the loudest, catchiest, and most memorable. It's the highlight of the...
![Why is Songwriting So Hard? [The 3 Top Reasons]](https://improvesongwriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Why-is-songwriting-so-hard-400x250.jpg)
"Ugh! Why is songwriting so HARD?!" Sound familiar? If you're learning how to be a better songwriter, you may sometimes find yourself frustrated by a lack of progress or ability. That's understandable, but think about it this way: as a consumer, you’re constantly...
So you've been wondering: how many chords do you need to know to write a song? Well, I have good news! The topic of chords is huge, but the answer here is simple: by learning just four basic chords, you have everything you need to write great songs. In the major...
