Nashville-based songwriting coach Mark Cawley provides some vital co-writing advice, with an extended extract from his best-selling book ‘Song Journey’...
Review: BBC Maestro Gary Barlow Songwriting course
The creative process
Writing team dynamics
10 components of a Christmas classic
Four chords that changed the world (and how to use them)
8 things to know about co-writing
3 key production tips for collaborating online
8 ways to resolve songwriting conflict
16 song starters
Prinz Grizzley: 5 ways exploring different genres can add something new to your style
Using scales to write songs
Jenna Andrews’ tips on getting the most out of a publishing deal
Principles Of Modern Songwriting
How to come up with 100 new song ideas
Judith Owen: how to find your own truth in other people’s songs
Dear songwriter (are you in a boredom funk?)
When ‘Airy Met Fairy on the art of emotions
Solomon Grey’s 5 top tips for writing music pre-picture
Emily Keener’s 5 top tips on connecting with your creativity
Songwriter’s guide to home recording: acoustic guitar
5 top tips on entering songwriting competitions
Fink’s top 10 songwriting tips
How to overcome writer’s block: 10 top songwriting tips
The importance of developing a standout brand in the music business
Tips & Techniques
Articles
Square Halo’s Minnesota-based producer Treyvonce Ambers-Moore shares some advice for lockdown music-makers after working with co-writers in London and Tokyo...
‘Staying Sane In The Music Game’ author Brett Leboff outlines a number of ways to handle creative differences and disagreements...
We pick a selection of kick-off ideas The Song Foundry founder Ed Bell’s book ‘The Ultimate Book Of Song Starters’...
The quintet’s multi-instrumentalist and Ed Sheeran collaborator knows a thing or two (or five) about coming up with great ideas...
An Austrian singer-songwriter whose music is informed by blues, country and Americana teaches us about how to subvert different genres...
Our guitar and production aficionado Dave Chrzanowski shows how different scales can be used to write riffs, melodies and solos...
As a songwriter, producer and publishing company head, we can be pretty sure Jenna knows her way around a deal....
Experienced session guitarist Jake Gakovik takes us through the basic elements of song craft: form, lyrics, melody, harmony and rhythm...
Author of ‘The Art Of Songwriting’ Ed Bell suggests how to decide what to write about and become more prolific...
The Welsh piano-playing singer-songwriter explains how learning to perform cover versions can help you discover what really matters to you...
Brisbane-based singer-songwriter and founder of I Heart Songwriting Club, Francesca de Valence offers three ways out of a creative rut...
How I wrote ‘Beds Are Burning’ by Midnight Oil’s Rob Hirst
1
How I wrote 'Girl From Mars' by Ash's Tim Wheeler
2
How I wrote 'Luka' by Suzanne Vega
3
How I wrote 'Enola Gay' by OMD's Andy McCluskey
4
16 song starters
5
How I wrote 'Place Your Hands' by Reef's Gary Stringer
6
How I wrote 'Turning Japanese' by The Vapors' David Fenton
7
Shelf help: 10 of the best books for songwriters
8
How I wrote 'I Alone' by Live's Ed Kowalczyk
9
How I wrote 'The Life Of Riley' by The Lightning Seeds' Ian Broudie
10
Comments
I have plenty of ideas and try to get one end product at one time! Focus, making, listen to it until I am satisfied with
Continue to build an incredible music catalogue
I have been writing songs privately for the last 5 years, but never recorded any. I almost gave up on recording, and was going to
It's my passion, to be honest.
I'm putting out a new solo song next week, and am writing for my band's new album. On top of that, I want to challenge
Songwriting is truly part of me, and it was there for me during 2020. Now, in 2021, I’m more grateful for songwriting than ever. This
We have to use all our talents to find the songs which are out there in heaven.
I write songs all the time, I have written an album that I am going record and have professionally produced when lockdown ends.
I pledge to be song-full.