Your Song's Bridge: The Most Creative Part?

Written by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. For songwriting tips and notification of blog updates, FOLLOW GARY ON TWITTER Download “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” suite of 6 e-books now. ____________________ If you study the music of Classical-era composers, you’ll come across something called the “Development” section. It has been a […]

One Song, Three Lyrics: How to Get Your Words to Work For You

Written by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. FOLLOW GARY ON TWITTER Make songwriting enjoyable again. Purchase “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” bundle and get a free e-book. _________________ A week or so ago I wrote an article about the word “progression,” and how it’s really got to apply to every aspect of […]

Controlling the Energy Levels of Your Songs

Written by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. FOLLOW GARY ON TWITTER Make songwriting enjoyable again. Purchase “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” bundle and get a free e-book. _________________ It’s a standard principle of songwriting that the basic energy level of your song should increase as it progresses. There are exceptions to this, […]

How a Bridge Melody Differs from Verse and Chorus

Written by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website __________ The bridge of your song is usually the section that builds energy beyond what the chorus can do for you. Not all songs have bridges, and actually, whether your song needs one or not is more an issue of lyrical development than it […]

What Your Song’s Bridge Needs to Do

Written by Gary Ewer, Senior Instructor, Dalhousie University, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. • Follow Gary on Twitter • Good songs sell! Check out “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6 e-book bundle – available now at a 50% savings! ________________________________ When I adjudicate performers at festivals, I love pointing out that good music is often more about […]

Song Analysis: Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi"

Written by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting“. Download “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6 e-book bundle, and improve your songwriting skills. ______________ Paparazzi is a recent single from Lady Gaga’s “Fame.” It’s written in a standard verse-chorus format, and it’s worth looking at various compositional elements, particularly chord progression and melodic shape. […]