YOUR BEST SOURCE FOR USEFUL SONGWRITING STUFF
I was watching a home renovation show recently. You know… one of those reality TV shows where a couple of energetic, muscular types swing a hammer and—Voila!— they turn a moldy-smelling shack into a sleek duplex complete with landscaping. And I thought to myself: What if we could renovate an older song like that? Give it a fresh coat of paint and plenty of current listener appeal.
Whether you are singing your own song or hiring a singer, know what you need from a vocal performance before you start recording.
If you ask most people what they think a good vocal must have, they’ll tell you that it’s all about pitch. A singer has to sing in tune. They might occasionally mention rhythm, but it’s usually pitch.
Truth is, the most important thing about a vocal is how it makes us feel. A vocal performance that creates an authentic, emotional experience for the listener is a great vocal. That’s the only thing that really counts.
So, what are the elements of a vocal performance that are absolutely essential to making this happen?
Annnnnd there’s the kick-off! The ball is in motion. The players explode into action. The fans are on their feet. It’s the moment they’ve all been waiting for! That’s the power of the kick off.
Now think about launching a verse or chorus with that kind of energy!
A kick-off line can add a big shot of excitement to any section of your song. It can be the attention-grabbing opening of Verse 1. It can be the boost that gives your chorus a chance to really soar.
An effective kick-off line is a combination of strong melody and lyric writing. So, let’s check out some examples from a few big, contemporary hit songs to see how it’s done.
Probably every songwriter reading this would answer: WRITE! We all want to spend as much time as we can writing our songs: moving lyrics and melody forward, getting them finished, and starting new ones. Writing feels productive. It feels like you’re accomplishing something.
But listening to songs is just… well, it’s just something you enjoy, something you do when you’re driving, or studying. In other words, something you do while you’re actually doing something else.
But what if I said that listening to songs is as important to your success as writing songs? What if I told you that you should spend as much time listening as you do writing?
Songwriters, do you find yourself sitting on the couch watching TV when you should be writing? Does it seem like too much effort to workout in your home studio? Haven’t got the time to lift your guitar, do a few reps on the piano, or stretch those vocal cords at the mic?
Well, I’ve got the perfect life hack for you!
In just 30 MINUTES A DAY you can have the creative muscles you’ve always wanted. Wishing won’t make it happen. But if you’ve got a half hour a day to dedicate to your creative life, you can get your songwriting in the best shape ever!
