Songwriting for Everyone

Songwriting: In this episode Joe continues the  combined  studies of ear training and composition, turning one's mind into an instrument of creativity. The fourth chord in the major key is added along with ear training exercises and the creation of the chorus section of a song.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe continues the  combined  studies of ear training and composition, turning one's mind into an  instrument of creativity. The 3rd chord in the major key based  is introduced along with ear training exercises and the creation of melodies based on the major scale.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe continues the  combined  studies of ear training and composition, turning one's mind into the instrument of creativity. 

Songwriting: In this episode Joe combines the studies of ear training and composition, turning one's mind into the instrument of creativity. The resulting music will be truly your own - evolving from within.

Hi Everyone, as I am working on the next episode, for now I have included one of my compositions which I hope you  will  enjoy -  This is one of the 21 Dialogues for guitar and various instruments . All my best wishes Joe

Songwriting:  In this episode Joe analyzes the song "It'll Be Okay" by Shawn Mendes, Eddie Benjamin, Scott Harris and Michael Sabath.  Through detailed  analysis, we see  techniques that will elevate any composition, in any genre of music, to a higher level. For example: forecasting future events, dovetailing sections, hooks at every level -  melody, harmony and rhythm, along with f...

Songwriting:  In this episode Joe analyzes the song "Beat It" by Michael Jackson . This song was chosen in order to highlight the importance of rhythmic layering in the arranging and recording of any musical composition no matter what style or genre. This is especially important as in today's environment we know of countless examples of artists successfully recording and publishing...

Songwriting:  In this episode Joe analyzes the song "Don't Stop Believin" by Jonathan Cain, Neal Schon and Steve Perry of Journey .  It is one of only two songs to reach one billion streams on Spotify - the other being "Bohemian Rhapsody". 

Songwriting:  In this episode Joe analyzes the song "Shivers" by Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Steve Mac and Kai Lavelle.   Through detailed  analysis, we see  techniques that will elevate any composition, in any genre of music, to a higher level. For example: forecasting future events, dovetailing sections, hooks at every level -  melody, harmony and rhythm along with fusing the old with t...

S ongwriting: In this episode Joe introduces the concept of creating your own keys based on synthetic and exotic scales, opening a vast reservoir of material  to create music uniquely your own . These original keys will lead to chord progressions, melodies and musical compositions unlike anyone else.

S ongwriting: In this episode Joe continues this ongoing study, creating an unlimited amount of melodies through  various musical techniques . This episode deals with improvising melodies for songs or solos  through the use of  " A Suspension"  combined with chord tones, passing tones, non-chord tones, auxiliary tones and the appoggiatura against the chord progression C, G, Am and F.

S ongwriting: In this episode Joe continues this ongoing study, creating an unlimited amount of melodies through  various musical techniques . This episode deals with improvising melodies for songs or solos  through the use of  "the anticipation"  combined with chord tones, passing tones, non-chord tones, auxiliary tones and the appoggiatura against the chord progression C, G, Am and F.

S ongwriting: In this episode Joe continues this ongoing study, creating an unlimited amount of melodies through  various musical techniques . This episode deals with improvising melodies through the use of  AUXILIARY NEIGHBOR TONES combined with escape tones  against the chord progression C, G, Am and F.

Songwriting:  In this episode Joe analyzes the song "Easy On Me" by Adele Adkins and Greg Kurstin.  In this episode, through analysis, we see  techniques that will elevate any composition, in any genre of music, to a higher level. For example: forecasting future events, dovetailing sections, overlapping elements, fusing the old with the new etc... This is a textbook lesson for any songwr...

S ongwriting: In this episode Joe continues this ongoing study, creating an unlimited amount of melodies through  various musical techniques . This episode deals with improvising melodies through the use of DIATONIC and CHROMATIC  passing tones combined with ESCAPE TONES  against the chord progression C, G, Am and F.

S ongwriting: In this episode Joe continues this ongoing study, creating an unlimited amount of melodies through  various musical techniques . This episode deals with improvising melodies through the introduction of the VI chord and  the addition  of modal techniques, along with the previously studied chromatic scale, chord tones, non-chord tones, passing and auxiliary tones, along with the appogg...

Songwriting: In this episode Joe continues the study of the creation of an unlimited amount of melodies through  various musical techniques .  These techniques have been used by all composers, in all genres of music, throughout  history. This episode deals with improvising melodies through the introduction and use of  the CHROMATIC SCALE,  now combined with the previously studied  chord tones, non...

Songwriting: In this episode Joe continues the study of the creation of an unlimited amount of melodies through  various musical techniques .  These techniques have been used by all composers, in all genres of music, throughout  history. In this episode we add in the V chord (G Major ) .  In addition, you will see  the technique of connecting chords with 2 bar phrases, using chord , non-chord,  pa...

Songwriting: In this episode Joe continues the study of the creation of an unlimited amount of melodies through  various musical techniques .  These techniques have been used by all composers, in all genres of music, throughout  history. This episode deals with improvising melodies through the use of  the APPOGGIATURA.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe continues the study of the creation of an unlimited amount of melodies through  various musical techniques .  These techniques have been used by all composers, in all genres of music, throughout  history. This episode deals with improvising melodies through the use of  AUXILIARY NEIGHBOR TONES.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe continues the study of the creation of an unlimited amount of melodies through  various musical techniques .  These techniques have been used by all composers, in all genres of music, throughout  history. This episode deals with improvising melodies through the use of  Passing Tones.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe continues the study of the creation of an unlimited amount of melodies through  various musical techniques .  These techniques have been used by all composers, in all genres of music, throughout  history. This episode deals with improvising melodies through the use of chord tones.

Songwriting:  In this episode Joe analyzes the song "BILLIE BOSSA NOVA" by Billie (Eilish) O'Connell and Finneas O'Connell. This composition is a model of  perfection in how to construct a work of art.   The techniques employed offer composers, in all genres of music, a model to emulate in their works. The use of repetition and repetition with variation of melody, harmony and r...

Songwriting:  In this episode Joe analyzes the song "Bad Habits" by Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid and Fred Gibson. This composition is a masterpiece of modern song construction.  The techniques employed offer composers, in all genres of music, a model to emulate in their works. The use of repetition and repetition with variation of melody, harmony and rhythm is textbook, along with the use o...

Songwriting:  In this episode Joe interviews award-winning singer, songwriter, guitarist, and arranger Kate Schutt. Winner of the 2007 John Lennon song competition, as well was ASCAP's Plus Award four times to name a few, underscores Kate's considerable abilities and gifts as a composer.  In this interview her insights into the art and process of modern songwriting are a guide for all so...