What's in a Song - TopPodcast.com

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The songwriting of Taylor Swift - Two things we can learn from the craft of her songwriting Oct 24, 2023

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In this episode, I share a little peak into the craft and poetry of Taylor Swift's songwriting.
We look at her choice of chord progressions and one way in to one of her epic bridge sections as well as her use of metaphor.
You will walk away with a few tools from the woman currently ruling the world that you can try in your own songs no matter what the genre.
Upcoming workshop signup: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-songwriting-of-taylor-weekend-virtual-songwriting-workshop-tickets-747266814157?aff=oddtdtcreator
Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/
Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw

Scarlet's website:
https://www.scarletkeys.com
Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

Scarlet's website:
https://www.scarletkeys.com
Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/
To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:
https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

David Wilcox Part 2 Sep 25, 2023

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David Wilcox is an award winning and highly acclaimed American singer songwriter from Asheville North Carolina.

His storytelling cuts deep into the soul and observes the human condition from both the nerve center and the outside looking in. He’s released more than 20 records and is famous for his thoughtful insights, humor and open tunings on guitar.

In this episode, David talks about process and prompts and writes a song on the spot.

https://www.davidwilcox.com

To pre-order Scarlet's new book "What if it All Goes Right: Practicing Hope in the hardest times" go to: https://www.scarletkeys.com/store/what-if-it-all-goes-right

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys

David Wilcox on inspired writing Part 1 Sep 18, 2023

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David Wilcox is an award winning and highly acclaimed American singer songwriter from Asheville North Carolina.

In this episode, David takes a deep dive into his writing process and will leave you totally inspired.

https://www.davidwilcox.com

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys

Part 3 Mark Simos: Reflecting on your writing and what you can learn from it Aug 17, 2023

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In this episode, we break down co-writing and talk about reflecting back on process and what can be learned from taking pause and observing what went well and what you wish had gone differently making you a better writer and co-writer going forward.

To purchase Mark's books: https://www.amazon.com/Songwriting-Strategies-360-Degree-Approach-Music/dp/087639151X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2P5EAKVUEMJCD&keywords=mark+simos&qid=1691706851&sprefix=mark+simo%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1
Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/
Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw

Part 2 Hank Williams in Hell live co-write with Mark Simos Aug 10, 2023

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In this episode of a two part series, Berklee Professor and Grammy winning writer Mark Simos and I try out his unique approach to writing using different chord configurations in a writing exercise he calls Hank Williams in hell. This is a live co-write so if you are curious about how people write songs collaboratively or want to explore new ways to use the classic three chords, this episode is for you. The final song is shared at the end of this episode.
To purchase Mark's books: https://www.amazon.com/Songwriting-Strategies-360-Degree-Approach-Music/dp/087639151X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2P5EAKVUEMJCD&keywords=mark+simos&qid=1691706851&sprefix=mark+simo%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1
Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/
Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw

Hank Williams in Hell exercise and live cowrite with Grammy winning songwriter Mark Simos Aug 03, 2023

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In this episode of a two part series, Berklee Professor and Grammy winning writer Mark Simos and I try out his unique approach to writing using different chord configurations in a writing exercise he calls Hank Williams in hell. This is a live co-write so if you are curious about how people write songs collaboratively or want to explore new ways to use the classic three chords, this episode is for you!
Sign up for keyboard class email scarlet@scarletkeys.com
Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/
Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw

Writing songs for film and t.v. with Grammy winning artist/producer Rich Jaques Jul 28, 2023

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Today’s guest is grammy winning songwriter and producer Rich Jaques. Rich has had over 1500 songs placed on film and t.v. and is going to share today about his musical journey.

Some key points:

Follow the point of enthusiasm (follow your bliss)
Finding your own path
Notice what makes you excited
Writing more impressionistically as not to impose a lyric on a scene
Don’t ask who you want to be but who are you
Getting over your emotional wall in the biz
What gets in your way to success
Figure out your blocks

To listen to Rich Jaques: https://open.spotify.com/album/39NM2EhS00PH1mQbdQbRCi?si=SPFutN-NQ5mpFSMkFRYKcQ

Will Dailey: Genius marketing, the importance of narrative for your art, finding your instrument Jul 21, 2023

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On today's show, I have singer/songwriter Will Dailey.
In this episode, Will shares some brilliant marketing ideas and talks about:
Tools: Try cutting something in half

the chorus
the bridge
a bar
a line
do something upsetting to your cadence

Great advice on writing your best verse 2

Why songwriting is good for you even if it’s not your profession

Step outside your comfort genre

Finding your instrument

Don’t worry about the note you sing

Worry about the truth you sing

Mumbling as lyrical placeholder

Starting with narrative

Process over outcome

Youtube for will dailey: https://www.youtube.com/willdailey
Will Dailey website: https://www.willdailey.com/

Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/
Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw

Prince's recording engineer Susan Rogers on authenticity, getting your best vocal performance and her new book "This is What it Sounds like" Jul 14, 2023

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Today I have Susan Rogers who many of you know as Prince’s recording engineer. Today we talk about her new book “This is what it sounds like” and who we are as listeners, what Prince used to ask her to prepare for his writing sessions and insight into writing songs that appeal to a wider audience.

Some takeaways:

Ask a non musical person for feedback on your songs
Active listening
Getting your best vocal performance in the studio
Music from the neck up vs music from the neck down
Making music is an expression of life and you need to put your life into it
Balance between something common and something novel
Who you are as a listener

Taylor Swift workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/650136163767

Membership: Scarletkeys.com

Susan Rogers' book: https://www.amazon.com/This-What-Sounds-Like-Music/dp/0393541258

Paula Cole on her writing process, the books that have inspired her and what writing teaches her Jun 17, 2023

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Grammy-winning artst Paula Cole has released seven solo albums of original songs. Cole has performed with icons in many genres of music, from Peter Gabriel to Dolly Parton, Herbie Hancock to Emmylou Harris, and Amy Lee of Evanescence to Burt Bacharach. Cole’s emotionally deep performances and her poetic, intelligent writing makes her stand out from the masses of contemporary music. Her compositions have been covered by a diverse range of artists—including Hancock, Annie Lennox, Katherine McPhee, and JoJo—and she has sold approximately 3 million albums. As the first woman in history to solely produce and receive the Best Producer Grammy nomination for her album This Fire, Cole has broken boundaries with a searcher’s spirit. From her top 10 hits of the 1990s to her more recent, critically acclaimed albums, Cole continues to write, produce, record, and perform heartfelt, meaningful, lasting music that defies categorization.
In this episode, Paula shares her writing process, prompts she gives her students and what she's learned from journaling and writing. She talks about how she found her sound as an artist and the artists who have inspired her. How walking helps her write.
Singer/songwriter Sam Robbins' song about his father from one of Paula's prompts: https://open.spotify.com/track/6R1NtDvc6i24t7pZROFaED?si=44837935583f449c
https://www.petersykesmusic.com/

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