Write Your First (Or Next) Great Song Now

Everything you need to know to become a skilled and prolific writer of songs people will love.

What you'll learn
Gain in-depth, hands-on knowledge of how to write powerful songs in any genre.
Follow a tried and true 8-Step songwriting path to complete your first or next great song,
Understand all the elements of song structure and how to use them.
Quick Start: Jump in by writing a quick 3-chord song to break the ice.
Learn how to write songs starting with either the music or the words.
Explore a wealth of concepts and ideas to inspire you and keep you writing.
Learn how to assess, edit, polish, and performance-proof your song.
Develop the motivation, enthusiasm, and self-confidence to make songwriting a positive, creative force in your life.
Learn to see yourself as a songwriter and then become one.
Requirements
The only prerequisite for this course is to possess a curiosity or desire to write songs that move people.
If you don't play an instrument, there are a few brief lessons included to help get you started playing guitar.
Description
This songwriting course is a labor of love. Written during the pandemic and over a year in production, Write Your First (or Next) Great Song Now is a comprehensive and inspiring road map for becoming a powerful and confident working songwriter. So, what does that mean? A "working songwriter" is someone who regularly writes and performs highly original songs that garner recognition and accolades from peer musicians, fans, and venues alike. The majority of people you will compete with at the local and regional level for stage time typically play covers. Writing head-turning, beautifully crafted songs sets you apart, elevating you to the upper ranks of visibility and respect.This course is designed and structured to get you there as quickly as possible–giving you everything you need to do the work and make it happen. The only missing ingredient is you. Your passion. Your energy and commitment. Your unique voice. Complete all the assignments and the 8-Step songwriting process and you will be well on your way with a calling card in hand that confirms for all who hear it that you are a songwriter. Thousands of people on any given day are dreaming of becoming songwriters. The difference is in the doing. Seize this moment. Right now. And begin turning your dream into the daily, life-affirming reality of the working songwriter. Course Highlights:Over 7 hours of on-camera teaching across more than 90 highly structured lectures (no Powerpoints!)Packed with practical theory, real world examples, and hands-on exercises so you can move quickly and confidently forward on your songwriting journeyLearn everything you need to know to start and complete a high quality song by the end of the courseSelf-paced and available 24/7Works on a Mac, PC, and a variety of other devicesPurchase risk-free with Udemy's 30-day money back guaranteeMajor Course Sections Include:Start Simply. Simply Start.You Are a SongwriterWhat Are Your Goals?Finding InspirationCreativity and The MuseThe Whole Mentor/Apprentice ThingDon't Borrow. Steal!Let's Jump In: Write a Simple 3 Chord Scratch Draft SongWriting the Music FirstThe Not-So-Secret Songwriter’s Super Hot Sauce For SuccessGuitar Chords and TheoryRhythm, the Pulse, and Time SignaturesMajor and Minor KeysWriting Chord ProgressionsWriting Melodies That Move PeopleWriting the Words FirstWhat Are You Going To Write About? Points of ViewTypes of SongsTelling Tales: Friction Creates FictionCharacter In ActionRhyme-SchemingThe Elements of Song Structure and How To Use ThemEditing and Performance-Proofing Your SongBuilding On Your Momentum8 Steps To Finishing Your Song:STEP 1: Write Your Song’s ProgressionSTEP 2: Choose Your Song's RhythmSTEP 3: Find Your MelodySTEP 4: Write Verses 1 and 2STEP 5: Write Your ChorusSTEP 6: Write a BridgeSTEP 7: Building Out Your VersesSTEP 8: Editing Your SongAssignments:Assignment #1: Let's Write Our First Verse TogetherAssignment #2: First Chord ProgressionAssignment #3: Sneak Up On ItAssignment #4: Steal SomethingAssignment #5: Choose Your MentorAssignment: #6: Rhyme-Mapping The MasterExtra | Motivator Videos (for when you need a boost!):Motivator: Nothing Is MissingMotivator: Space and RoutineMotivator: Make TimeMotivator: Perfection Doesn't ExistMotivator: Stick The LandingMotivator: Fear of Failure

Overview

Section 1: Welcome

Lecture 1 Welcome

Lecture 2 A Note On Notetaking

Section 2: Beginnings

Lecture 3 You Are A Songwriter

Lecture 4 Assignment #1: Let's Write A Verse Together Right Now

Lecture 5 What Are Your Goals?

Section 3: Start simply. Simply start.

Lecture 6 Creativity: This or That

Lecture 7 The Muse

Lecture 8 Your Phone Is A Powerful Songwriting Tool

Lecture 9 Assignment #2: First Chord Progression

Section 4: Finding Inspiration

Lecture 10 Assignment #3: Sneak Up On It

Lecture 11 Don't Borrow, Steal

Lecture 12 Assignment #4: Steal Something

Lecture 13 The Whole Mentor/Apprentice Thing

Lecture 14 Steve Earle and Me

Lecture 15 Assignment #5; Choose Your Mentor

Section 5: Let's Jump In and Write A Song!

Lecture 16 Let's Jump In: Chords: Pick 3

Lecture 17 Let's Jump In: Find A Strum Pattern

Lecture 18 Let's Jump In: Words - Be The Bard

Lecture 19 Let's Jump In: Melody - Uncovering A Little Magic

Lecture 20 Let's Jump In: Putting It All Together

Section 6: Music First

Lecture 21 Music First

Lecture 22 Guitar Chords Part 1: A Quick Survey

Lecture 23 Guitar Chords Part 2: Chord Relationships By Note Number In the Scale

Lecture 24 Circle of Fifths (The Songwriter's Cheat Sheet)

Lecture 25 7th Chords

Lecture 26 Barre Chords

Lecture 27 The Capo

Lecture 28 It's Emotional: Major vs. Minor Keys

Lecture 29 The Not-So-Secret Songwriter's Super Hot Sauce For Success

Lecture 30 Hot Sauce Ingredients

Section 7: Chord Progressions

Lecture 31 Intro To Chord Progressions

Lecture 32 The I-IV-V Chords

Lecture 33 The Flat VII Chord

Lecture 34 The Major and Minor II Chords

Lecture 35 The Minor VI - The Closet Relative

Lecture 36 Walking Up and Down

Lecture 37 Advanced Progressions

Lecture 38 Major/Minor Swap Fest

Lecture 39 STEP 1: Write Your Song's Progression

Section 8: Rhythm: Feel the Pulse

Lecture 40 Rhythm: Feel the Pulse

Lecture 41 The Vibe: Strumming Patterns (A Very Quick Survey)

Lecture 42 Tempo: The Speed of Sound

Lecture 43 The Feel: What's a Time Signature?

Lecture 44 STEP 2: Decide On Your New Song's Rhythmic Feel

Section 9: Melody: A String of Pearls

Lecture 45 Melody: A String of Pearls

Lecture 46 Musicality - The Art of Listening

Lecture 47 Making Melodies

Lecture 48 Melody: Find It In the Chords

Lecture 49 Melody: Find It In the Riff

Lecture 50 Melody: Find It In The Scale

Lecture 51 Melody: Follow the Melody To The Chords

Lecture 52 STEP 3: Find Your Melody

Section 10: Words First Part 1

Lecture 53 Words First

Lecture 54 Points of View

Lecture 55 What Do You Want To Write About?

Lecture 56 Autobiography

Lecture 57 Ballads

Lecture 58 Title and Hook

Lecture 59 The Beauty of Metaphor and Ambiguity

Lecture 60 Theme, Concept or Novelty Songs

Lecture 61 Turn of Phrase: The Power of the Image

Section 11: Telling Tales

Lecture 62 Telling Tales: Friction Creates Fiction

Lecture 63 Setting: It's All In the Details

Lecture 64 Character In Action

Lecture 65 The Arc of the Story

Section 12: Words First Part 2

Lecture 66 When Words and Music Fit Like a Glove

Lecture 67 Rhythm and Rhyme

Lecture 68 Rhyme-Scheming

Lecture 69 Assignment #6: Rhyme-Mapping the Master

Lecture 70 Couplets All the Way Down: Mississippi

Lecture 71 Bookends: A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall

Lecture 72 The Pinnacle: It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)

Lecture 73 Don't Be Too Rigid

Section 13: Song Structure

Lecture 74 Song Structure

Lecture 75 Intros

Lecture 76 Be Well-Versed

Lecture 77 STEP 4: Write Verses 1 and 2

Lecture 78 The Chorus

Lecture 79 STEP 5: Write The Chorus

Lecture 80 Is A Bridge Too Far?

Lecture 81 STEP 6: Write A Bridge

Lecture 82 What Is A Pre-Chorus?

Lecture 83 STEP 7: Building Out The Verses

Lecture 84 Coda and Tags

Section 14: STEP 8: Editing Your Song

Lecture 85 STEP 8: Editing Your Song

Lecture 86 Editing: Check Your Rhymes

Lecture 87 Editing: Check Your Lyrics

Lecture 88 Editing: Check Your Logic

Lecture 89 Editing: Is There a Twist?

Lecture 90 Editing: Performance Proof Your Song

Lecture 91 Done and Done!

Lecture 92 Build On Your Momentum

Section 15: Quick, Anytime Motivators

Lecture 93 Motivator: Fear of Failure

Lecture 94 Motivator: Make Time

Lecture 95 Motivator: Space and Routine

Lecture 96 Motivator: Perfection Doesn't Exist

Lecture 97 Motivator: Nothing's Missing

Section 16: Extras

Lecture 98 Truth-Telling: Its importance and how to keep from telling too much!

Anyone interested in songwriting will benefit from taking and completing this course. Whether you're just starting out or you've written any number of songs already, the 7-plus hours of video instruction included here will help you write songs that stand out from the crowd, connect with audiences, and establish your reputation as a serious songwriter on the scene.