Alternate Versions of Your Songs

I’m often asked if it’s a good idea to record and mix multiple or alternate versions of a song. The short answer is YES! Because…

  1. There are versions of your song that you’ll need to have.
  2. There are optional versions that can be useful to have.
  3. There are versions that you make just because you’re dying to hear what they sound like.

For the long answer, let’s take a look at a variety of alternate versions and how they can help you in a whole lot of important ways.

MUST-HAVE VERSIONS

THE MAIN VERSION

If you’re an artist, the main version of your song is the one you’ll release as your single. It’s the definitive version, the one you’ll promote first, and the one you want people to hear.

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Writing Songs for Film & TV

Movie Slate

Thousands of songs are used in TV shows, films, and commercials each year. For every song that’s placed, many are auditioned—often hundreds—but only one is chosen. And you want that song to be yours.

The song that will get the job is the one that enhances the emotion and memorability of the scene for the viewers. Is a character discovering real love for the first time? The song needs to evoke that feeling of innocence, yearning, and wonder for the audience. Is the film set in a small town in the 1950s? The song needs to make us feel that we’ve traveled back to another time and place.  And the right song can bring the whole thing to life!

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Practice Songwriting: 6 Exercises

Everyone knows what we mean when we say “Practice makes perfect,” whether it’s whacking a golf ball over and over, repeating those dance steps until you can do them in your sleep, or playing the same riff on guitar till it’s smooth as silk. We know things will improve with enough repetition because we can see the results.

But how do you practice songwriting? You can practice piano or guitar to improve your playing, which is good, but it’s not songwriting. You can improve your singing with practice so you can hit notes with confidence, character, and emotion. And that’s really useful, but it’s not songwriting either.

You need to practice writing lyrics that move listeners. You need a workout that strengthens your melodies and provides more choices when writing. Where do you find the repeatable exercises that help you get better at those things?
Answer: By breaking it all down into manageable bits and focusing on areas where you’re having difficulty. So, let’s do it.

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Set Your Songwriting Goals

Set Goals!

Setting goals can shift your songwriting into high gear and help you achieve your dreams. But it’s important to choose your goals carefully.

Pick goals that are achievable. Make sure they’re something you have control over.  Avoid vague goals like “I’m going to write a hit song.” Instead, make them specific, break them down into small steps and create a timeline.

Don’t try to do too much – that’s a set up for failure. Instead, pick three or four things you really want to accomplish. Write them down then keep that list where you can see it.

Here are four goals that can get you started. 

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