Songwriting for Everyone

Songwriting: In this episode Joe lists and explains the use of chord extensions and substitutions for basic triads, adding shades of color and and/or dissonance. Used in every style of music, these alterations offer any composer a reservoir of chords, progressions, ideas, inspiration, and techniques which will enhance their ability to create original works of art.

Songwriting: One of the most written about songs in music history is John Lennon's  "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". Mirroring the abstract poetry and psychedelic imagery of the lyrics, the music shifts tonal colors, harmonies and time, fusing John's world of colors and dreams.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe discusses the way composers and soloists use certain techniques to create melodies against chords or support the melody with chords. It covers the interplay of chord and non-chord tones - consonance vs dissonance - tension vs calm. 

Songwriting: In this episode, Joe discusses how intervals and motives opening a composition, or supporting the meaning and emotion of a lyric, can make a song truly memorable.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe examines the techniques of Motivic Development into musical phrases and Sections. By combining these motivic phrases, sections are created, which in turn may be used as introduction, verse, pre-chorus, chorus bridge and interludes.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe examines the techniques of Motivic Development into musical phrases: repetition, sequence, augmentation, diminution, random rhythmic variation, retrograde and inversion.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe analyzes Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber's "Stuck with U".  Here we have a textbook example of modern songwriting. Joe highlights the construction and techniques that not only create the work, but sets it apart with unusual  and unexpected vocal and instrumental procedures.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe examines the technique of borrowing chords from one key into another in order to create a never-ending reservoir of ideas for your song backgrounds. This will lead to endless possibilities of melody and inspiration.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe analyzes Henry Mancini' classic  "Moon River". Highlighted is the connection between varying degrees of dissonance and the emotional  response induced in the listener.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe analyzes Bruce Springsteen's classic "Born to Run".  This song elevated him to superstar status. A textbook of techniques and procedures for any songwriter or composer in all styles and genres.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe analyzes John Lennon's classic ode to peace for all the people of the world.  Poetry and music are fused into one of the most popular songs of all time.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe analyzes one of the most covered and recorded songs in modern music history. Innovative and revolutionary in it's time, it offers a wealth of ideas and techniques for any composer in any genre of music.

Songwriting: In this episode of "Songwriting For Everyone", Joe analyzes the chords and progressions from two famous songs - "Hotel California" and "Hey Joe". Through analysis we seek to learn the techniques used to create a masterpiece  - then using these ideas and techniques, giving us the knowledge to learn and advance as a composer.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe analyzes a true classic of modern songwriting. Discussed are such topics as - melody, rhythm and harmonic hooks as well as phrasing, sectioning, melodic embellishments, connectors and interludes.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe analyzes one of the most famous songs of all times - Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean". Topics and techniques discussed are melodic, rhythmic and harmonic hooks, along with the importance of phrasing, bass lines, countermelodies, vocal and instrumental fill-ins.

Songwriting: In this episode Joe analyzes the classic work "Hallelujah". Discussed is the abstract symbolism of the lyrics which have been analyzed in so many forums, speaking of Cohens brilliant linking of musical imagery, sex and religion. Along with alluding to these discussions, Joe does a thorough investigation of the the musical architecture and construction of the various musical...

Songwriting : In this Podcast Joe discusses the importance of motivic hooks at every level of a song's construction: rhythm, harmony, melody, accompaniment and fill-ins. Using Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" as an example, we see the importance of hooks in making a song memorable and meaningful to the listener.

In this episode of Songs through Time, Joe analyzes one of the greatest songs in country music. Composed by Willie Nelson and sung by Patsy Cline, the interplay of two motivic hooks, along with harmonies more common to jazz than country, plus the unsurpassed vocal interpretation of Ms. Cline, has created one of the great classic songs of modern music.

In this episode of "Songs Through Time" Joe analyzes and discusses  Frottola - Italian songs of the 16th century. Highlighted are the similarities between these songs from 500 years ago and today. The example used is "Io non Compro piu speranza" by Marco Cara.

In this Episode Joe analyzes the new James Bond theme, "No Time To Die", by Billie (Eilish) O'Connell  and Finneas O'Connell - a masterwork of planning and construction. Sections rise and fall in a wave motion of tension and calm through shadings of dark and light dynamics, harmonics and melodic construction.

In this episode Joe discusses the 3rd rhythmic layer - melody. It may be the main melody or the countermelodies, such as the baseline, high strings, pads, vocal backgrounds, fill-ins by various instruments, etc.. Also discussed is the interaction of the various layers of rhythm previously examined in podcasts #51 and #52, along with using rhythm as an organizational device. Michael Jackson's...

In this podcast Joe discusses how modern songwriters / producers fuse rhythm and harmony into the foundation of all that follows. He investigates the use and importance of chordal rhythms which may be thought of as motivic  harmonic hooks. Often we associate a hook with a melody supporting the title, or an underlying instrumental line such as the bass  in "Billie Jean". However there are...

In this podcast Joe discusses how modern songwriters / producers fuse rhythm and harmony into the foundation of all the following: melody, background harmonies, countermelodies, instrumental backgrounds and interludes.  Similar to an artist 's first layer of paint, this is a layer of "sound color".

In this episode of Songs Through Time  1949 - Joe analyzes the  songwriting techniques of Hank Williams, one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th Century. In this song we hear all the sorrow and loneliness of this man's life come through in the lyrics that have touched so many people for all these years. Also highlighted is the fact that the music, on the surface, seems disconnected to the...

In this episode Joe shows how by combining your music and various art forms such as :painting, poetry, photography, sculpture, literature, film and architecture, you now have access to You tube, the internet and the world. Examples are given on how the music  industry has changed. No longer do you need giant budgets, large corporations or established stars - countless people have done it all on th...