Dorian Mode, Aeolian Mode, Minor Key… What's the Difference?

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting”. Gary is the author of several e-books that open the world of song composition to budding writers. If you’d like to know how to get your songs working, let his texts show you the way. ____________ In traditional harmony (i.e., the kind you’d learn in a […]

Five Reasons Bach is Still Relevant to Today's Songwriters

Written by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. You can read Gary’s songwriting e-books (and take advantage of a free deal) by visiting the Online Store. It never ceases to amaze me how similar melodies are, no matter what genre, or even historical period, you examine. There really isn’t much difference between […]

Connecting Verse and Chorus Progressions with Chord Substitutions

Written by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. You can find Gary’s songwriting e-books here, and read about a free offer. ______________ For most songs, you want to make a connection between the chords you use in your verse and the ones you choose for your chorus. A really neat way to […]

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. […]

Invert Melodic Shapes: Create a Connection Between Verse and Chorus

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” suite of 6 e-books shows you how to write great songs. (His newest e-book, “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting- Chord Progression Formulas” is being offered for free when you purchase any other of his songwriting e-books.) Let these six e-books […]

The Dangling Metaphor: Why Your Lyric May Not Be Working

by Gary Ewer, from “The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” website. Gary’s e-books can get you writing the music that you’ve always wanted to write. They’re downloadable, and available here. _______________________________ It’s important to note right at the start that good lyrics are not necessarily poetry. A poem can make a fantastic lyric, but it’s much […]