Medicine Cabinet
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Like most people, I have a cabinet under the bathroom sink with all sorts of over the counter pills and potions, band aids and bandages for basic first aid. Now, I can't use them all at once, or nor can any of them fix something really serious or deep seated. But they can sort out simple cuts and sprains and infections. At the risk of labouring the metaphor, I've put together some free guides you can download to help you 'cure' really common simple song ailments. Please, help yourself! And don't forget to tell me what worked for you. Or didn't. I'm all ears!
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Relief for Struggling Songwriters!There's the song, and then there's the songwriter. Here's some tactics to help you improve your writing process and craft. It doesn't have to be painful! You can definitely make yourself more comfortable as a songwriter and get in the best space you can to write better songs. Help yourself!
Song Health Check UpHere's a health check up list you run over your song. If you can honestly tick all the boxes, you've got nothing to worry about. Hooray! A sure fire hit! If you're wavering over any of the things covered, then there might be something to attend to.
Articles to help
Why it is important to KISS. 3 Tips for Getting Out of a Rhyming Rut What actually is a Chord Progression? The Circle of Fifths - A Musician's Best Friend 6 Creative Kicks in the Butt for Songwriters Getting Spicy with "Borrowed" Chords Building Your Confidence as a Songwriter 5 Ways to Write Songs When You're Not a Proficient Instrumentalist 10 Myths about Songwriting Busted |
This won't hurt your song a bit!
Oh - but you can't touch my song - it's finished. I'll have to start from scratch. I can't think how to change it. I can't rewrite the words/chords/tune'. Wah wah wah!! Why not? What's the worst thing that can happen? Your original song already exists! A rewrite doesn't make it disappear in a puff of smoke! But if you're actually serious about wanting to get better at writing songs, then you have to figure out how to rewrite your work too. Here's how to start.
Bitter Pills to Swallow
Setbacks, writer's block, band bust ups, rejection notes, the 'get-a-real-job-club', blank page syndrome and sometimes outright boo-ing can be a very real part of songwriting life. Here's some common downers for songwriters and how to overcome them.
“I found Charlotte Yates’ articles on 'Musician on a Mission' when searching for songwriting tools to provide me with some new inspiration. As a self taught songwriter, with very limited music theory knowledge, Charlotte's articles helped me understand some complex theories that I used to think were way beyond me, such as music intervals, major and minor scale chord progressions and modal interchange (borrowing chords from parallel keys). Her articles are clear, concise and full of information. I enjoyed them so much that I followed the link to her Song Doctor website and have since read every word she has written on the subject! Charlotte has a plethora of advice for new and seasoned songwriters alike that is written in a way that everyone can understand. Thanks, Charlotte.” Nat Ripepi, Perth, WA
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