The Power of the Kick-Off Line

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.

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.

Songs from Robin’s Workshops

Here’s a YouTube playlist with a few songs by some of the wonderful people I am proud to call my students, protégés, and song coaching clients. With hard work, practice, inspiration, and sweat , they’re turning out irresistible, contemporary songs . You’ll hear music styles and emotions that range from dark to light. If you hear something you like, please check out more of their music.

My students and coaching clients have had songs placed in “Empire,” “The Young and the Restless,” “Switched at Birth,” “The Vineyard,” “Big Bang Theory,” Hallmark Channel specials, Netflix, and many more.

Robin's lyric course home page..

New Hit Songwriting eBooks!

Robin's ebooks on Amazon.

Here it is… in three eBooks! The new edition of Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting is finally a reality. All the Shortcuts from the first edition are expanded and updated with the latest hit song examples, plus new Shortcuts covering today’s must-have songwriting tools.

There’s so much information, I needed three e-books to cover all 178 song crafting techniques. Read a book from beginning to end or bounce around looking for just the tool you need to turn your new chorus into a hit. You can put every Shortcut to use the minute you start working on a song. Check out all three books on Amazon where you can see the complete Table of Contents and download a free sample.

Songwriting: It’s Like Riding a Bicycle

Bicycle in your mind

Remember when you learned to ride your first bicycle? It wasn’t easy. You fell down a lot, but you kept trying. At first you needed someone to hold on, keeping you steady. Then you used training wheels to help you stay upright as you pedaled. Then, finally, you were able to ride on your own. You had found that complicated thing called balance. After that, it was a breeze! The process of writing songs is a lot like riding a bike. It’s all about finding a balance!