Songwriting Workshop in Rockland County
by Ryan Townsend
The two basic parts of most songs are the verse and the chorus, but the anatomy of a song can range in length and complexity to include additional segments such as the intro, pre-chorus, bridge, and coda. Every song is different. The arrangements are what help carry the song, bring out the emotion, drive the story, and tie it together.
As a budding songwriter or musician it’s tempting to ask the question, “what’s the right way to arrange a song?” And truth be told, all though there are effective formula’s that can make a song a hit, the real answer is there is no right or wrong way.
Music, like a piece of artwork, is subjective. What one person finds beautiful and inspiring, another person can find unlistenable and unappealing. Often times it’s the connections that a listener finds in a piece of music that make it memorable. People want to relate to others through their shared emotions and experiences. And sometimes people just want to do something as simple as dance, feel good, and not have to think too much at all.
So, although there is no “right” way to compose a song or arrange a piece of music there are certainly some concepts and approaches that can help. Something important to keep in mind as well, is that this is not an instant process. Just as it takes a musician time to learn an instrument, it takes a songwriter time to hone and perfect his or her craft.
Listen, learn, and study from all the countless songs that already exist. Pick them apart, dissect them, recreate them, and get inspired by them. Write a lot and write often. You’ll need to work out the kinks and find your voice, and that will only happen over time. If you write 10 songs, a few might be decent, a few scrap worthy, but odds are you’ll also have a least one really solid idea because you spent the time to work through all the extra fluff.
Working with another writer or musician is also anther great way to improve by getting feedback and constructive advice. If you’re looking for a Songwriting Workshop in Rockland County, RCT Music Group is a great place to learn and expand on the concepts in this blog.
Here are some additional concepts to keep in mind:
Chords Structure – This is often the foundation of the song, whether it’s a bass playing root notes, or a guitar strumming chords, this is what our melody and story sit on top of. Bring out the emotion here. Create the ebbs and flows between the major (happy) and minor (sad) chords. Find dissonance, resonance, tension, and reflections through more complex changes and voicings (diminished, augmented, suspended).
Rhythm – This is the feel of your song. The heartbeat. The pulse. Groove is everything or nothing at all. Whether or not you have drums present in your song, the beat still “exists” and should be accounted for. Your song needs a tempo, a time signature, a style. This can occur with the accompaniment of an actual beat or through the strumming/picking of a guitar or arpeggiation of a piano chord for example.
Melody – This must be infectious, have space and most importantly be memorable. Something the listener can easily take with themselves, enjoying and humming long after the song is over. Something that will make them want to return to the song over and over again.
When writing your lyrics be truthful to yourself, your message, and your story and you’ll end with a great song. Never force the process. Ideas are all in the air waiting to be found.
Paul McCartney said, “The act of writing a song is a unique experience, unlike anything else I know. You have to be in the right mood and start with a clear mind. You must trust your initial feelings because at the beginning you don’t really know where you’re going.”
Bring the song to life and let it grow and blossom through live performance and recording. When your song is ready if you’re looking to share and promote it learning how to copyright, register, and license your music is another important part of the process. Additionally, organizations such as BMI and ASCAP are great resources for songwriters and composers who publish and collect royalties on their music.
To explore these concepts further, RCT Music Group, offers a Songwriting Workshop in Rockland Country. The workshop, guided by Ryan Townsend, is a great place to expand on your craft, creativity, and help bring your songs to the next level.