5 Simple Songwriting Tips to USE NOW!

[@heinrichsmit7045]

That first one with the big leaps was so great, you sounded super on pitch and comfortable

[@personalemail1411]

you're speaking the truth Nathan buddy. I'm also a composer by my degree here in the UK. I was also told about advanced stuff like prepared piano and artists like John Cage. We did a bit of film and game music and a bit of foley composition... But I wasn't really taught about basic compositional techniques. I was left on my own for that. I was however in collage (before university), told about KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). You are so relatable, thanks for the tips.

[@paarismann]

Dude, you're the best. There's no one that I have found online that talks the talk with both feet touching the ground. Been writing since I was 21. I'm 65 and still going at it. I've written killer songs for European performers as well as here at home. I love it there's nothing I'd rather do more. I'm putting in my first production studio. You are an inspiration and a god-send. I look forward to hearing more of what you have to say. You speak my language. I live in South Carolina. Thank you for your passion for the song.

[@mukeshpathak7302]

Takeway Points: #1: Stepwise Motion in Melody Writing. Use Steps with Leaps. #2: Idea, Idea, Go somewhere Different. (Repeat, Repeat, Variation) #3: Dynamic Songwriting. #4: Have a Lyrical Theme #5: KISS - Keep It Simple, Stupid..

[@danimorrison7994]

Hey keep it simple stupid is something we say in AA I like that

[@F82F8]

I have seen many of your videos and this one really resonated with me. I too have a degree in music comp, and they never taught me how to write a song. Music theory, analysis, and various counterpoint classes but still nothing about songwriting. Walt Disney one e said that a good song should be simple, easy to sing, and sincere. Great video.

[@kellysal0808]

Thanks for pointing in the right direction. And on the way I met a bumble bee. Very inspiring!

[@ChaseArrington]

Absolutely love your content, Nathan. So honest and it’s the truth. I feel incredibly blessed to stumble upon your channel.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

This comment is amazing - thank you Chase. Appreciate you!

[@fadeddave]

You are my new favourite KZbinr. I consume your content daily now and it’s helped me massively. Thank you

[@kikon88]

This is probably without doubt the most valuable post l have seen in KZbin so far Excellent excellent excellent Thank you so much

[@aloha4522]

SUPER GUIDELINES ! THANKS FROM BOTTOM OF MY HEART .. GOD BLESS U

[@prakashalurumusic]

Very BIG thanks brother Larsen for your video stuff, helping very well.

[@abdulrazakingutia7937]

Timestamp 11:51. I hit thumbs up right here because I really, really love your singing.🤩

[@Maria-du9ze]

I find your videos very inspiring. I've just started writing and singing again after 23 years, and lyrics have often been my weak spot. I'm a trained classical musician, so at college I kinda had to write complex harmonies. I'm really enjoying keeping the harmonies down to just a few basic chords. It's so much more effective! You speak from my heart. I'm picking up new things all the time, and I think I will learn alot from you. Thankyou

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thank you so much. Really happy to hear this is inspiring! Keep at it!!

[@Maria-du9ze]

I was wondering, do you use a sustain pedal on your keyboard when recording sounds? Up to now I have always recorded my piano sounds on my e-piano with pedals and then imported the track into my DAW. I don't have a pedal on my keyboard for any other sounds and was just wondering if it is at all necessary

[@vaasborg]

just subscribed today, the way this dude explains things, is perhaps the best way of communicaing information clearly I have ever seen on KZbin. kudos

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Dang!! Thank you so much!!

[@vaasborg]

@@NathanJamesLarsen you got it dude, trying to implement some step-wise motion in some melodies im working on, thanks for the help

[@kbimm]

I do like your singing voice. It‘s emotional and honest. Keep singing your songs.

[@Dexiz5]

I like the way you explain it clearly,Thumbs up!! Throughout the dozen of your videos I watched recently ,They are straightforward!!

[@writewithangel]

Thanks again Nathan a very helpful video now I am actually going to use what I learnt from watching your 2 videos in my most recent songs

[@kallelagermann642]

Thanks Nathan, this was a great tutorial in songwriting. Even though I’m from Denmark/Europe, I do love your fast speaking guidance in your videos. It is so inspiringing. Thanks buddy 🙏🏼

[@larsnielsen409]

Wuuu Denmark!! Quite a few danes here on Nathan's channel

[@ChrisObehi]

Thanks great works you doing you are a eye opener man

[@therondayview7684]

Thank you so much for your videos, I've enjoyed and learned from all of them so far and I admire your presentation style and insights. That said (and meant): I'm surprised there aren't more comments saying your random improv melody is miles more interesting than the one you're apparently going with in your (at the time of writing) new song. Sure, it's more Disneyesque and sugarish, but what a show-stopper! What a melody. It's the one I'm still humming :) Someone in the comments says, "This is why all pop music sounds the same" (or similar) and that's certainly part of the story. McCartney melodies will arguably last forever because, while step-wise motion is certainly liberally sprinkled among them (She Loves You, Love Me Do, The Long and Winding Road, And I Love Her - this list would be longer than your video), the inspiration that played a huge part in his writing could break the "rules" and still end up sublime (The Things We Said Today, Got to Get You Into My Life, The Fool On The Hill, Hey Jude, Let It Be - this list might be even longer). Unsurprisingly, given that when he was growing up, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and George Gershwin had defined songwriting for generations. New kids Burt Bacharach, Carole King, Neil Sedaka, Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon redefined it, drawing on the legacy of their influential predecessors. Their melodies could be exciting and challenging - and undeniably popular. These deserve to be called artists and remembered as such as much as anything else as because they actually had something to say that (they felt) needed saying. In among the fillers and the cynical cash grabs, there was a real, authentic drive to communicate and share. And in that world, rules can just get in the way. Words shaped melody, melody shaped the musical landscape we've inherited. So, let's not kid ourselves. This particular video, engaging and enlightening as it is, is really about "How to write songs if you're just hoping to be a pop star and have no real talent or drive as a song writer". Maybe pop songs do all sound alike (didn't they always?), but that might just be because songwriters don't really exist anymore. Just to reiterate, there is a lot to learn in this video - watched it twice, took notes, noticed my own flaws - so I'm not being (deliberately) nasty. And yes, my accusers are right, my examples are all from my record collection, I'll leave it to others to cite examples from elsewhere (Bowie, Beyonce, Ed Sheerin, a couple of Justins ....)

[@ChrisObehi]

Where can I hear your songs so nice

[@jpguitarra7081]

I've been facing some challenges when it comes to new ideas to create songs, arrangements and stuff... I've been trying to mix my personal preferences. As long as I'm Brazilian, I like to mix latin percussion rhythms (congas, shakers, tambourines, bongos, bells...) with hip hop, rap and funk rock. It's challenging because its variety of dynamics and other things. My inspiration is a Brazilian rock band from the 80's called Chico Science & Nação Zumbi. They used to mix rock and Maracatu, which is a very typical Brazilian northeastern music style. Most of your videos have helped me come up with new ideas and I thank you for that.

[@jpguitarra7081]

If you're interested in knowing about Maracatu, here's a link that shows its progression. Maybe it helps somebody else come up with ideas and spread the joy from my country: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZ7YgKKXmtqomNU

[@CarnivoreIntelligence]

One great way to get inspired from your favorite songs is to listen to them and figure out how they do it. Take the same chords and write a new lyrics to them. 😊

[@stephenmcguire563]

Best tutorial I have seen on this subject, quality advice . New sub

[@namegame9191]

very useful tnks so much

[@electricpurple4112]

I subscribed before 2 mins into the video. The half-step tip is something that makes sense for vocal melody writing but no one on youtube that I've come across has even bothered to mention that.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thanks a ton! I agree - I've seen others and never heard some of these mentioned

[@robertcooper457]

Another fantastic video, love watching and learning.

[@encoder5220]

I’m wondered why are you not focking famous. Your video deserves more feedback. Really like it - like, subscription ❤️

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Wow thanks! That's epic. We'll see what happens in the future 😎

[@danimorrison7994]

Hi Nathan I would like to take your songwriting class but I am not seeing it can you help me out in finding it I have not much experience in writing persay but would like to see if I can learn how to write I play drums guitar a little keyboards bass it’s like my bucket list kinda I have like 34 to 45 songs that I have been trying to finish for sometime I’d love to take your class

[@evanwanous2466]

You have excellent content. I’m thinking about making a Nathan Larson playlist. I’ve been spending 10% of my time on music production and 90% mixing and mastering. I’d write/record a song in 2 days and then spend a month mixing it lol and I’m trying to branch away from that - thanks!

[@parsafarjammusic28]

Hey Nathan. I just want to say I love your work and your videos have helped me so much in making music... Thanks so much...

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

This is amazing - so happy to hear this!!

[@unknown001w]

how did you learn how to sing ?? your voice is great

[@elsebethseeger3456]

You are so inspiring🤩🎶

[@davidsawyer3945]

Something I tried and loved was writing for a while with only acoustic piano cajon and some like shakers and tambourine and stuff and an acoustic guitar dead simple and wanted to move away from writing with plug-ins

[@thomasdc2439]

thanks for the great video. Keeping the melody simple but still interesting is the really hard thing. I’m struggling with that :D. Btw, what I do with lyrics is writing the story first. Doesn’t matter if I already have any lines or not. I write down what I want to tell in the first verse, in the chorus, in the second verse and then in the bridge. And then I try to put this story into words which fits the melody.

[@khalidsaleemmusic3603]

Hi Nathan you have such a beautiful voice should be recording your own songs in. Your voice more often you are super talented by the Grace of God love your Chanel

[@Vibesformusic]

This help my brainstorming🙏

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Awesome bro!

[@akhileshhiremath5976]

what piano sample are you using here ?

[@kalelisuperman]

YES. More videos like this! Maybe, how you find good sounds?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

BRO! I'm literally getting the next one ready for release on writing a song in 35 minutes, so ya'll can see my songwriting process. And the sound selection idea is great! Love it. I'll find a way to work that in. Thanks so much!

[@digitaldeltablues]

@@NathanJamesLarsen I'd also love to see tips on sound selection.

[@DystopianTofuTV]

another super inspiring video, thank you!

[@amitamridha6036]

Can I make a complex vocal melody with simple instrumentals backing it? I have a nice song idea and I think the complex melody I came up in my head would complement the theme. I mean, it is not too complex (there is only one note out of the scale in the chorus and it is a lot like a classical piano piece melody-wise) and it's easy to sing in my range. Some note passages are difficult though! I am just a beginning songwriter, but I have so many ideas in my head and was wondering if that song would be a good idea.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

I mean yeah! Gotta use your ears and judgment to make sure you're not overdoing things but conceptually that can work. Just depends on the specifics of how you do it. Good luck!

[@amitamridha6036]

@@NathanJamesLarsen wow, thanks for responding! Loved your tips. I'll definitely try to work on that song a bit more as i get better at songwriting. :)

[@VeronicaGorositoMusic]

Thank you so much Nathan for your advices and general ideas! Mostly when I'm playing a motif or a theme, I'm all about the K.I.S.S. approach because it carries on with the emotion, and emotions are simple :) Overarrange it and you lose it. Other thing that came to my mind when you were talking about the brainstorming moment when you're throwing all instruments and stuff to create that ear candy, is orchestration, but just adding a little random string arrangement to an emotional part, that pays a lot and are tasteful enrichments. What do you think about conceptual albums? It seems like it's a lost art.

[@soniccluster9035]

Dang!!!.... thanks for all those tips really helpful mate

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Awesome! Happy to help! 😊😎

[@kunsangchoedon9468]

Wow.. super helpful

[@abiewahba5653]

Thanks for all the guidance it helped tremendously keep it up!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Hey, Abie! Thanks so much for this - and sorry for the late response!

[@rudylefevre7312]

thx, very revealing ...

[@delphisignal]

Ha! Nice! This are like melody hacks.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Yep! Thanks!

[@geejmauriva9736]

You mention "Artist's Mentor" at the beginning but I don't see any links for that in the description. Are you still doing it?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Hey! No - I stepped away from Artist Mentor (unfortunately the vision changed in a way I couldn't get behind) and got focused on Producer Accelerator which is alive and well.

[@geejmauriva9736]

@@NathanJamesLarsen Okay thanks for the update!

[@Mikopiko_life]

Very simple and intelligibly. Thank you man!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

😎🙏 sweeet thanks!!

[@Jade11official]

Anyone know where he posts his music? I wanna hear😊

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

I'm prepping for a lot of releases as an artist in the next 3 months. But other than that I'm producing mostly music I'm not allowed to distribute (sync music) or other artists.

[@ScantEgoOfficial]

hey i just watch your video on strings for the logic pro but could you make a tutorial how you actually write for strings I mean I each string is going like its own little melody but my strings usually clash with each other when I write like you do otherwise...

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Hey! I can talk about arrangement for sure. It's got a lot to do with making sure on strong beats that all the parts are playing chord tones (notes that are in the chord you're playing). If you have a lot of non-chord tones happening then it's gonna clash. So make sure your countermelodies are working in terms of the chords you've got going. Hope that helps!

[@Plessy_]

I feel like this video was made for me! Thanks a lot bro

[@MK-me4vf]

Tnx broooo

[@rayt3894]

Some great songwriting tips Nathan! Ultimately, great songs are usually about 1 thing, and one thing only. If you can't sum up what your song is about in a sentence, it may possibly be too complex or simply lack focus. Ask yourself: what is this song about?...this question can reveal to you your central theme or plot, which in turn can give your song direction. Having a clear direction can help you finish your lyrics. Learn and apply the basic song structures that have stood the test of time. This is your framework! When brainstorming, write as much and as many lyric ideas down, extra verses, chorus ideas, anything relevant etc., as it's better to have extra lyrics, that you can edit down later. The alternative is to come up short. If you are stuck with second verse blues, you may have said too much in the first verse? When editing, try changing or substituting lines to see what works best. Music is sound, so singing your lyrics out loud will guide you if anything is a little off. Keep all your notes and revisions for reference. If still stuck, take a break and try later or another day. Be critical but not over critical. If you truly believe your song idea is worthwhile, you will find a way to finish it. Even finishing an average song is good discipline and practice. Songwriting is a craft, so enjoy the journey. Let every song you write, be it good, bad or indifferent, be your teacher. Song writing can often start from a 'titles first approach', but be flexible enough, to try other methods of coming up with new songs. The results may just surprise you! Try to say something familiar in an unique or fresh way. Good luck!

[@lightvtproductions]

Now I want to listen to the full song ;(

[@hyejindrum]

really good!!

[@rejishrk]

@nathan ur videos are simple, well structured, superb and really helpful... keep it up and do more...

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thanks a ton! Really appreciate that and I've got much more coming 😎

[@mrvron]

So finally someone went to college for music No KZbin university

[@jackawackamooable]

What mic is that?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Avantone CV-12 it's awesome

[@stevelestermusic]

Great stuff. Too many commercials however, loud and obnoxious to boot. If you have any control of that, try to get a few sponsors that would have some interest to your audience. That said, I appreciate your work.

[@fadrian98]

1:10 everytime someone doesn't like the video

[@bartecki75]

👍🎹😊🎸🌞

[@HaharuRecords]

Damn, this song sounds exactly like its about me..🤖

[@annamuir8381]

Are you the Tomagachi life kid?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

No clue what that is. So... I'm gonna guess no? Lol!

[@annamuir8381]

Nathan Larsen Music LaurenZside bought someone’s old tomagachi life and the name of the old owner was Nathan Larson so we’re all looking for the owner

[@jeremyneworleans]

OK about Jacob Collier but why does he sing like he has a hot potatoe in his mouth? (I'm just a tad jealous admittedly.. lol)

[@CarnivoreIntelligence]

Haha...are you sure it is potatoes? 😂

[@lemonadeduck6878]

Me being told this is the Nate from laurenzsides tomodachi video 🌑👄🌑

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

What? ... no idea what you're talking about haha

[@Subtle-System]

Awesome tips... definitely helpful.... your music sucks though

[@saraseavin7240]

Beautiful song