Write Your First (Or Next) Great Song Now TUTORIAL
Everything you need to know to become a skilled and prolific writer of songs people will love.
What you’ll learn:
- Gain in-depth, hands-on knowledge of how to write powerful songs in any genre
- Follow a tried and true 8-Step songwriting path to complete your first or next great song
- Understand all the elements of song structure and how to use them
- Quick Start: Jump in by writing a quick 3-chord song to break the ice
- Learn how to write songs starting with either the music or the words
- Explore a wealth of concepts and ideas to inspire you and keep you writing
- Learn how to assess, edit, polish, and performance-proof your song
- Develop the motivation, enthusiasm, and self-confidence to make songwriting a positive, creative force in your life
- Learn to see yourself as a songwriter and then become one
Requirements:
- The only prerequisite for this course is to possess a curiosity or desire to write songs that move people
- If you don’t play an instrument, there are a few brief lessons included to help get you started playing guitar
Description
This songwriting course is a labor of love. Written during the pandemic and over a year in production, Write Your First (or Next) Great Song Now is a comprehensive and inspiring road map for becoming a powerful and confident working songwriter. So, what does that mean? A “working songwriter” is someone who regularly writes and performs highly original songs that garner recognition and accolades from peer musicians, fans, and venues alike. The majority of people you will compete with at the local and regional level for stage time typically play covers. Writing head-turning, beautifully crafted songs sets you apart, elevating you to the upper ranks of visibility and respect.This course is designed and structured to get you there as quickly as possible–giving you everything you need to do the work and make it happen. The only missing ingredient is you. Your passion. Your energy and commitment. Your unique voice. Complete all the assignments and the 8-Step songwriting process and you will be well on your way with a calling card in hand that confirms for all who hear it that you are a songwriter. Thousands of people on any given day are dreaming of becoming songwriters. The difference is in the doing. Seize this moment. Right now. And begin turning your dream into the daily, life-affirming reality of the working songwriter. Course Highlights:Over 7 hours of on-camera teaching across more than 90 highly structured lectures (no Powerpoints!)Packed with practical theory, real world examples, and hands-on exercises so you can move quickly and confidently forward on your songwriting journeyLearn everything you need to know to start and complete a high quality song by the end of the courseSelf-paced and available 24/7Works on a Mac, PC, and a variety of other devicesPurchase risk-free with Udemy’s 30-day money back guaranteeMajor Course Sections Include:Start Simply. Simply Start.You Are a SongwriterWhat Are Your Goals?Finding InspirationCreativity and The MuseThe Whole Mentor/Apprentice ThingDon’t Borrow. Steal!Let’s Jump In: Write a Simple 3 Chord Scratch Draft SongWriting the Music FirstThe Not-So-Secret Songwriter’s Super Hot Sauce For SuccessGuitar Chords and TheoryRhythm, the Pulse, and Time SignaturesMajor and Minor KeysWriting Chord ProgressionsWriting Melodies That Move PeopleWriting the Words FirstWhat Are You Going To Write About? Points of ViewTypes of SongsTelling Tales: Friction Creates FictionCharacter In ActionRhyme-SchemingThe Elements of Song Structure and How To Use ThemEditing and Performance-Proofing Your SongBuilding On Your Momentum8 Steps To Finishing Your Song:STEP 1: Write Your Song’s ProgressionSTEP 2: Choose Your Song’s RhythmSTEP 3: Find Your MelodySTEP 4: Write Verses 1 and 2STEP 5: Write Your ChorusSTEP 6: Write a BridgeSTEP 7: Building Out Your VersesSTEP 8: Editing Your SongAssignments:Assignment #1: Let’s Write Our First Verse TogetherAssignment #2: First Chord ProgressionAssignment #3: Sneak Up On ItAssignment #4: Steal SomethingAssignment #5: Choose Your MentorAssignment: #6: Rhyme-Mapping The MasterExtra | Motivator Videos (for when you need a boost!):Motivator: Nothing Is MissingMotivator: Space and RoutineMotivator: Make TimeMotivator: Perfection Doesn’t ExistMotivator: Stick The LandingMotivator: Fear of Failure
Overview
Section 1: Welcome
- Lecture 1 Welcome
- Lecture 2 A Note On Notetaking
Section 2: Beginnings
- Lecture 3 You Are A Songwriter
- Lecture 4 Assignment #1: Let’s Write A Verse Together Right Now
- Lecture 5 What Are Your Goals?
Section 3: Start simply. Simply start.
- Lecture 6 Creativity: This or That
- Lecture 7 The Muse
- Lecture 8 Your Phone Is A Powerful Songwriting Tool
- Lecture 9 Assignment #2: First Chord Progression
Section 4: Finding Inspiration
- Lecture 10 Assignment #3: Sneak Up On It
- Lecture 11 Don’t Borrow, Steal
- Lecture 12 Assignment #4: Steal Something
- Lecture 13 The Whole Mentor/Apprentice Thing
- Lecture 14 Steve Earle and Me
- Lecture 15 Assignment #5; Choose Your Mentor
Section 5: Let’s Jump In and Write A Song!
- Lecture 16 Let’s Jump In: Chords: Pick 3
- Lecture 17 Let’s Jump In: Find A Strum Pattern
- Lecture 18 Let’s Jump In: Words – Be The Bard
- Lecture 19 Let’s Jump In: Melody – Uncovering A Little Magic
- Lecture 20 Let’s Jump In: Putting It All Together
Section 6: Music First
- Lecture 21 Music First
- Lecture 22 Guitar Chords Part 1: A Quick Survey
- Lecture 23 Guitar Chords Part 2: Chord Relationships By Note Number In the Scale
- Lecture 24 Circle of Fifths (The Songwriter’s Cheat Sheet)
- Lecture 25 7th Chords
- Lecture 26 Barre Chords
- Lecture 27 The Capo
- Lecture 28 It’s Emotional: Major vs. Minor Keys
- Lecture 29 The Not-So-Secret Songwriter’s Super Hot Sauce For Success
- Lecture 30 Hot Sauce Ingredients
Section 7: Chord Progressions
- Lecture 31 Intro To Chord Progressions
- Lecture 32 The I-IV-V Chords
- Lecture 33 The Flat VII Chord
- Lecture 34 The Major and Minor II Chords
- Lecture 35 The Minor VI – The Closet Relative
- Lecture 36 Walking Up and Down
- Lecture 37 Advanced Progressions
- Lecture 38 Major/Minor Swap Fest
- Lecture 39 STEP 1: Write Your Song’s Progression
Section 8: Rhythm: Feel the Pulse
- Lecture 40 Rhythm: Feel the Pulse
- Lecture 41 The Vibe: Strumming Patterns (A Very Quick Survey)
- Lecture 42 Tempo: The Speed of Sound
- Lecture 43 The Feel: What’s a Time Signature?
- Lecture 44 STEP 2: Decide On Your New Song’s Rhythmic Feel
Section 9: Melody: A String of Pearls
- Lecture 45 Melody: A String of Pearls
- Lecture 46 Musicality – The Art of Listening
- Lecture 47 Making Melodies
- Lecture 48 Melody: Find It In the Chords
- Lecture 49 Melody: Find It In the Riff
- Lecture 50 Melody: Find It In The Scale
- Lecture 51 Melody: Follow the Melody To The Chords
- Lecture 52 STEP 3: Find Your Melody
Section 10: Words First Part 1
- Lecture 53 Words First
- Lecture 54 Points of View
- Lecture 55 What Do You Want To Write About?
- Lecture 56 Autobiography
- Lecture 57 Ballads
- Lecture 58 Title and Hook
- Lecture 59 The Beauty of Metaphor and Ambiguity
- Lecture 60 Theme, Concept or Novelty Songs
- Lecture 61 Turn of Phrase: The Power of the Image
Section 11: Telling Tales
- Lecture 62 Telling Tales: Friction Creates Fiction
- Lecture 63 Setting: It’s All In the Details
- Lecture 64 Character In Action
- Lecture 65 The Arc of the Story
Section 12: Words First Part 2
- Lecture 66 When Words and Music Fit Like a Glove
- Lecture 67 Rhythm and Rhyme
- Lecture 68 Rhyme-Scheming
- Lecture 69 Assignment #6: Rhyme-Mapping the Master
- Lecture 70 Couplets All the Way Down: Mississippi
- Lecture 71 Bookends: A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall
- Lecture 72 The Pinnacle: It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
- Lecture 73 Don’t Be Too Rigid
Section 13: Song Structure
- Lecture 74 Song Structure
- Lecture 75 Intros
- Lecture 76 Be Well-Versed
- Lecture 77 STEP 4: Write Verses 1 and 2
- Lecture 78 The Chorus
- Lecture 79 STEP 5: Write The Chorus
- Lecture 80 Is A Bridge Too Far?
- Lecture 81 STEP 6: Write A Bridge
- Lecture 82 What Is A Pre-Chorus?
- Lecture 83 STEP 7: Building Out The Verses
- Lecture 84 Coda and Tags
Section 14: STEP 8: Editing Your Song
- Lecture 85 STEP 8: Editing Your Song
- Lecture 86 Editing: Check Your Rhymes
- Lecture 87 Editing: Check Your Lyrics
- Lecture 88 Editing: Check Your Logic
- Lecture 89 Editing: Is There a Twist?
- Lecture 90 Editing: Performance Proof Your Song
- Lecture 91 Done and Done!
- Lecture 92 Build On Your Momentum
Section 15: Quick, Anytime Motivators
- Lecture 93 Motivator: Fear of Failure
- Lecture 94 Motivator: Make Time
- Lecture 95 Motivator: Space and Routine
- Lecture 96 Motivator: Perfection Doesn’t Exist
- Lecture 97 Motivator: Nothing’s Missing
Section 16: Extras
- Lecture 98 Truth-Telling: Its importance and how to keep from telling too much!
Anyone interested in songwriting will benefit from taking and completing this course. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve written any number of songs already, the 7-plus hours of video instruction included here will help you write songs that stand out from the crowd, connect with audiences, and establish your reputation as a serious songwriter on the scene.
