Whether you’re an aspiring songwriter, just starting out, or an old pro, it’s helpful to look at the parts of a song and how best to arrange them. Playing with structure requires both sides of the ...

James Brown did so many substances that it’s surprising how little substance there is to his music. This isn’t a knock against James Brown: He made some great stuff, but he did so through great ...

Song form is like a cocktail party. Each person (or section) has a different personality and a specific role to play in the group. In great songs, all the sections come together in a wonderful and ...

According to the “rules” of songwriting, a song needs two verses, a bridge, and a deeply memorable chorus. Most often, an onus is put on the chorus. You have one listen to draw listeners in. A strong ...

Songwriting is an especially powerful tool used by music therapists. It opens a path to access, verbalize, and express feelings that are otherwise often difficult to process. It harnesses creativity, ...