At first, I was resistant to fitting my songs into a commercial format. It felt like selling out, and I thought it would weaken my work. I thought … Read Article
At first, I was resistant to fitting my songs into a commercial format. It felt like selling out, and I thought it would weaken my work. I thought … Read Article
"Hook" is the term you'll hear most often in the business and craft of commercial songwriting. (Well, maybe not as much as "Sorry, we can't use your … Read Article
VERSE/CHORUS FORMSThe varieties of this most popular form provide a maximum of chorus repetition and two or more verses to tell your story. … Read Article
Within a verse, there may also be a pre-chorus--a two or four line section, rarely exceeding four bars musically, immediately preceeding the chorus. … Read Article
Even when your songs come spontaneously, there is a point at which you need to decide which form to use. Usually writers will come up with a single … Read Article
The sign that hung on the studio door simply read, "You have nothing left to lose." For Janis Ian, who was behind those doors recording her first … Read Interview
TAXI CEO and seminar moderator, Michael Laskow, introduces Steve Seskin at TAXI's convention, the Road Rally 2002: Steve Seskin is one of the most … Read Interview
Shawn Colvin's right hand hits the strings on her Martin D-28 with a precise aim and rhythmic force that seems to cause every sinewy muscle in her … Read Interview
Thoreau once said that every writer's duty was to give "first and last, a simple and sincere account of their own life." More than his sage words … Read Interview