Book Review: 6 Steps to Songwriting Success

Today, I'm going to share one of my favorite resources with you--and it's this book, Six Steps to Songwriting Success by Jason Blume. In this book, Blume (a hit songwriter himself) walks you through all stages of the music biz. He discusses how to write music and lyrics, how to record a demo, how to pitch songs, and how to handle all the tricky business legalities of the music industry.

He has great exercises and techniques to help you become a better songwriter. He also informs you about the music industry. It's a really great read!

What other songwriting and music books do you like?

Songwriting Secret No. 1

As with most things in life, there is no one right way to write songs. There is no one secret that, if you know it, guarantees your success. However, the secret that I'm about to share with you has made my songwriting process easier and more enjoyable.

Thus, I present to you: the Lyric Palette.

Now, I've read several different books and blogs about creating a lyric palette, so again, there is no one right way to do it.

In painting, a palette is where artists put their paint to prep it for going on the canvas. Similarly, a lyric palette is where a songwriter puts their words to use in the draft. Pretty much, it's a way of brainstorming.

When I create a lyric palette, I list my title, then I brainstorm related images and words, synonyms of related words, antonyms of those words, rhymes, associated common phrases/idioms, etc.

I'll give an example:

Title: Game of Love

Related Words:

• Board games
• Cards
• Poker
• Monopoly
• Dice
• Win
• Cheat
• Victory Dance
• Tag
• Hide-n-seek
• Baseball
• Play by the rules
• Keep score
• Ace
• Joker

Synonyms:

• Face cards
• Playing cards
• Texas Hold 'Em
• Triumph
• Roll the dice
• You're it

Opposites:

• Lose
• Play honestly
• Sore loser

Associated Phrases:

• Play your hand
• Royal flush

Rhymes:

• Hide-n-seek, peek,
• Cards, heart

Anyway, this is just the beginning of a palette, but once you have so many creative words down, it makes it easy to string them together. Also, writing and brainstorming helps you find new words and idioms. It makes your writing a lot more creative!

Writing Lyrics: Our Favorite Tips

We all have those days--when every word we write is bland and boring and the only rhyme we can think of is "roses are red, violets are blue." However, we have a list of tips and tricks to make lyric writing a breeze!

1. The most important rule to remember in lyric writing is this: take the universal and make it unique. You want your songs to be relatable--about universal emotions that everyone has felt. However, you have to take that emotion and convey how it feels in a unique way. There are hundreds of love songs out there--which isn't a bad thing--but it just means you have to make things interesting. Instead of saying "I can't live without him," say "He's the air I breathe that keeps my body moving." Try it! Think of a few bland, generic phrases, and spice them up!
2. Don't be afraid of your rhyme scheme. You may be using an ABABA rhyme scheme, but that doesn't mean you have to end each line with the rhyme--mix it up. Maybe the rhyme comes in the middle of the line. Don't be afraid of slant rhymes either--"teeth" and "seek," for example.
3. Speaking of rhyming, if you're really stuck, use a rhyming dictionary. I have a rhyming dictionary app installed on my phone, and I use that to brainstorm when I'm stuck.
4. Accept the facts: You're going to have to rewrite. On the first draft, it's okay if some of the lines are boring. Don't get stuck. Just move on, and come back later.
5. Always have something with you to write with or to record on. I have tons of voice memos of ideas saved in my phone. You never know when inspiration will strike. Make sure you don't lose any lyrics, no matter where you are.
6. If you're really stuck, switch up your process. If you always write lyrics first, start with a melody instead. If you decide on the title last, start with the title and then brainstorm song flow.
7. Do a lyric-writing exercise. There are tons available on the internet.
8. Collaboration is a great way to get you out of a writing rut. Two heads are better than one. I find that some of my best work comes from working with someone else.

Now, get writing! Share what you come up with in the comments! Let me know your favorite tips! And keep an eye out--in a few days, I'll be sharing my favorite songwriting secret!

4 January Auditions You Don't Want to Miss

We're all eagerly counting down the days until Christmas, but December will be over before we know it! January starts a new year, and if you have a goal to audition for a show in 2016, there is no time like the present to start preparing. For all you theatre hopefuls, here is our list of 4 auditions that you don't want to miss this January--plus our specific suggestions for audition materials!

1.  The Empress Theatre in Magna, Utah, is having auditions for Seussical the Musical on January 19th–January 23rd. You can find more information on these auditions on their Facebook page. Our suggestions for songs? Maybe something from Honk! or Newsies.
2. The Lehi Arts Council is doing Little Women the Musical in April. Auditions are January 28th at 7pm. Get more information on their Facebook page. What should you sing? Check out a piece from Thoroughly Modern Millie!
3. The SCERA in Orem, Utah, is auditioning for their 7th Annual Night of Broadway show. The show runs January 27th–30th at 7 pm. Auditions are January 5th and 6th from 7–9 pm. This unique show follows a different theme each year--This year's theme is Broadway Rocks, featuring rock 'n roll show tunes. Performers audition with a song that they'd like to sing in the show. They have a few suggestions of musicals to pick songs from on their website. Also, here is a list on Wikipedia of rock musicals.
4. Peter and the Starcatcher will be auditioning at the Hale Center Theatre in West Valley on January 23rd. Auditioners must make an appointment, and appointments become available the Monday before auditions.
   
   Break a leg, auditioners! Mark your calendars and get practicing!