Songwriting for Everyone

Songwriting:  In this episode Joe analyzes the song "Butter", written by Jenna Andrews, Alex Bilowitz, Sebastian Garcia, Robert Grimaldi, Nam-John Kim, Stephen Kirk and Ron Perry. In this song we see all the techniques of modern songwriting and arranging at the highest level. It offers every composer a multitude of ideas to use in their own compositions.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe outlines various methods for  the creation of  unlimited  melodies. He shows the development of a basic motive into phases, musical sentences, sections, songs and beyond. 

Songwriting:  In this episode Joe analyzes the song "Dynamite" written by David Stewart and Jessica Agombar. This is the bands first fully recorded song in English. It was Spotify's biggest opening in 2020 - critics generally gave good reviews classifying it as seemingly light pop music. However, through analysis I have found some truly amazing techniques, (some rarely seen) offerin...

Songwriting:  In this episode Joe analyzes the song "All of Me" by John Stephens (John Legend) and Toby Gad. 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 of...

Songwriting:  In this episode Joe illustrates how through the mixing of major and minor keys, the possibilities for constructing unlimited chord progressions, song sections, and complete songs are attainable. Chris Cornell's amazing interpretation of the song "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Prince is used as an example.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe continues a series of podcasts that combine harmony, ear training and improvisation in the creation of song  sections and backgrounds. This will lead to an unlimited supply of materials and ideas for creating  foundations on which  multiple songs may be constructed.  In this episode we will highlight the Natural and Harmonic Minor scales and keys.

Songwriting:  In this episode Joe analyzes the song "drivers license" by Olivia Rodrigo and Daniel Nigro. If ever a song should be analyzed and studied by songwriters at any level, it is this amazing composition. So many unexpected techniques, with the most notable being  the use of melody, harmony, arrangement, rhythmic shifts and a flawless emotional vocal to support and underline the...

Songwriting: In this episode Joe continues a series of podcasts that combine harmony, ear training and improvisation in the creation of song  sections and backgrounds. This will lead to an unlimited supply of materials and ideas for creating  foundations on which  multiple songs may be constructed.  In this episode we will highlight the II - V -I  progression, the basic foundation of  Jazz .

Songwriting: In this episode Joe continues a series of podcasts that combine harmony, ear training and improvisation in the creation of song  sections and backgrounds. This will lead to an unlimited supply of materials and ideas for creating  foundations on which  multiple songs may be constructed.  In this episode we will use the I - II - III - IV - V - VI chords in our song backgrounds.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe continues a series of podcasts that combine harmony, ear training and improvisation in the creation of song  sections and backgrounds. This will lead to an unlimited supply of materials and ideas for creating  foundations on which  multiple songs may be constructed.  In this episode we have five song sections:they may be used as verse, pre-chorus, chorus and bridge...

Songwriting:  In this episode Joe analyzes the song "Save Your Tears" by The Weeknd. This song is an amazing textbook example of modern songwriting at it's highest level.  Most valuable is the use of repetition, and repetition with variation, one of the most important elements in all forms and genres of musical composition.  Words and music by Oscar Holter, Max Martin, Jason Quennev...

Songwriting: In this episode Joe continues a series of podcasts that combine harmony, ear training and improvisation in the creation of song  sections and backgrounds. This will lead to an unlimited supply of materials and ideas for creating  foundations on which  multiple songs may be constructed.  In this episode we have four song sections: verse, pre-chorus, chorus and bridge - all built on the...

Songwriting: In this episode Joe continues a series of podcasts that combine harmony, ear training and improvisation in the creation of song  sections and backgrounds. This will lead to an unlimited supply of materials and ideas for creating  foundations on which  multiple songs may be constructed.  In this episode we have two song sections featuring the four chords that upon which most of the pop...

Songwriting: In this episode Joe continues a series of podcasts that combine harmony, ear training and improvisation in the creation of song  sections and backgrounds. This will lead to an unlimited supply of materials and ideas for creating  foundations on which multiple songs may be constructed.  Each podcast will introduce a new chord and progression featuring major, minor and  modal keys, alon...

Songwriting: In this episode Joe begins a series of podcasts that combine harmony, ear training and Improvisation  in the creation of song  sections and backgrounds. This will lead to an unlimited supply of materials and ideas for creating these foundations  on which multiple songs may be constructed. Each podcast will introduce a new chord and progression featuring major, minor and  modal keys al...

Songwriting: In this episode Joe describes how, through the creation  of " Tension and Calm"  "Consonance and Dissonance",  a flow of sound-color through time and space, similar to currents in a stream, is generated.

Songwriting:  In this episode Joe analyzes the song " Monster" by Shawn Mendes, Justin Bieber, Adam King Feeney,  Ashton Simmonds and Mustafa Ahmed.  This  work is a guide for all songwriters, highlighting the surface and underlying techniques that go into creating a masterpiece of modern song construction.

Songwriting:  In this episode Joe analyzes the song " Holy" by Justin Bieber, Chancellor Bennett (AKA Chance the Rapper), Jonathan Bellion, Tommy Brown, Jorgen Odegard, Steven Franks, Anthony Jones and Michael Pollack. This  work is a guide for all songwriters, highlighting the surface and underlying techniques that go into creating a masterpiece of modern song construction.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe analyzes the song "Adore You".   This work by Tyler Johnson, Amy Allen, Tom Holland and Harry Styles is a guide for all songwriters, highlighting the surface and underlying techniques that go into creating a masterpiece of modern song construction. Vocals, production, arrangement and musicianship are at the highest level.  It's a model for all compos...

Songwriting: In this episode Joe describes how, through the use of Ostinato in all forms and genres of music, we have a technique that offers an unlimited reservoir of ideas, inspiration, and compositional foundations on which all else may be built.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe describes how, through the use of pedal tones, the sound,  directional pull, and overall effect of the chords you choose for your songs will be greatly enhanced.  In turn, this technique will elevate the melody and the song as a whole. Altering the sound-color of a chord can be extremely useful in supporting the emotional impact of certain lyrics.

In this episode Joe analyzes the song "Rain On Me" sung by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande. iIt was written by Stefani Germanotta, Ariana Grande, Alexander Ridha, Mike Tucker, Martin Bresso, Mathew Burns, Nija Charles and Rami Jacob. This work is a guide for all songwriters, highlighting the surface and underlying techniques that go into creating a masterpiece of modern song construction.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe describes the construction of chords by the interval of the 5th and its use in creating new tonal colors and movement. This technique, along with Podcast #74 ( Quartal Harmony), offers composers in all styles and genres of music unique sounds and ideas, enabling your music to stand apart and say something entirely new. 

In this episode Joe examines the song "Cardigan" by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner, which is a masterpiece of modern songwriting construction. The underlying architecture and techniques, many so subtle and nuanced - seemingly hidden, create a work of depth containing many layers  of tonal colors. Highlighted are both the expected and unexpected: surreal imagery, altered sections, ambiguo...

Songwriting: In this episode Joe describes the construction of chords by the interval of the 4th (Quartal Harmony) and its use in creating new tonal colors and movement. This technique offers composers in all styles and genres of music new sounds and ideas, enabling your music to stand apart while speaking to the listener.