7 Habits of Highly Effective Songwriters

[@spareplanet]

7) Listening to a wide range of musical genres 6) Analyzing hits, to determine what resonated with listeners 5) Taking breaks 4) Getting feedback 3) Saving ideas (having a system to save every little morsel) 2) Revising 1) Writing daily

[@Pequenaerra]

You just saved me 23 minutes 🙏🏽

[@spareplanet]

@@Pequenaerra …enough time to write a hit song lol 😆

[@extremotionaltrouffas]

No, he didn't. There's much more to it, not mentioned here.@@Pequenaerra When you want to read a book , you just read the outline, and presume you 've read it alright?

[@spareplanet]

@@extremotionaltrouffas Good analogy, but it doesn’t apply here (imo) (imo) In this case, the list gives you all the info, because the points are simple and self-explanatory. (The only thing on that list that could be gone into in more detail is #6, and they didn’t go into significant detail about it.) Songwriting isn’t a complicated, mysterious process. It’s like basketball. Everyone does the same, few simple things - some people are just much better at them.

[@kaihlmeades]

Thank you

[@BobSperber]

Simple brilliance. After 55 years of unfocused, occasional, songwriting is now giving way to my second life. I am steadily ramping up my efforts as I look forward to retiring from my daily “career” to retire to the creative life I have wanted to live since young childhood. I don’t care about fame or fortune, I am compelled toward craft and expression. So … thank you.

[@BlueBEAZY45]

I’ve been writing songs for years and I’ve found consistently that the very best stuff I write almost always happens organically. I don’t really have to put too much thought into it and the song practically writes itself. As cliche as it sounds I’ve found this to be true for me.

[@mak_xx9456]

Anyone else have stellar ideas come to them in their dreams? Only to have them gone in the morning? Maybe its a subconscious thing.

[@pretending2care]

Write them down or voice memo as much as you can as soon as you wake up!

[@miguelaashoo7943]

Yep it happened to me a lot when I was about 12-13. Now it happens every now and then- unfortunately. These things also happen when I‘m half asleep, some of the songs i still remember til this day.

[@ultraphobic69]

Yep, it happens a fair bit with me. Sometimes fully formed only to evaporate after I open my eyes. A couple of times I even recorded a melody that came during the dream only to find after a listen it was shite 😅

[@vincentcappello4746]

All the time

[@Anesujubani]

All the damn time. Write them down

[@creeksiderockmusic]

My music partner writes all words before he sings. I dont! I listen to the song a few times and the song brings words out. Then I start refining. It keeps much more fun in it and takes away from putting pen to paper. 30 years writing rock songs. It works everytime!!

[@DodaGarcia]

It's insanely common for me to have ideas for melodies right as I'm falling asleep! There's something about that moment when the brain is starting to relax, that just seems to bring to the forefront ideas that don't come up during the normal brain functioning hours. And I do usually make sure to record them, although I need to start getting better at actually going through the recordings afterwards.

[@alexandranedelcucovers694]

OMG me too. Right as I'm about to fall asleep.

[@carriesolomonmusic]

Same. I get so upset when I’m too tired to record them. But as my old vocal coach used to say, you’ll remember the really great ones! Or if not, at least you’ll come up with a better one🙃

[@kingbaby8399]

you guys need to learn how subconscious brain work i promise its gonna help u way more....that sleepy brain is when conscious brain is turning off and subconscious is turning on

[@mrs.beautiful_23]

Me in shower.

[@DeafDisco88]

The movement part that all these artist are talking about to help with opening the channel is called Bilateral Stimulation. It’s a natural body process that allows for our brain to process information. They use it in therapy methods such as EMDR to help process trauma.

[@TheOrphicLyre]

Interesting thanks

[@ashjms]

^^^^^ shower thoughts

[@mycustompaintedlife502]

That’s good to know. I need to go to a trauma counselor

[@mandanglelow1442]

Go for a walk with your dog and hum, make sure you record your melodies on your phone. Been working for me since 1973 🎸😎👍

[@extremotionaltrouffas]

You complement each other's train of thoughts so perfectly. And the content is top notch. Thank you.

[@banterj]

What makes this video absolutely amazing is it is not a lecture or a how-to for “dummies” or finger wagging from an “expert”…it is a conversation,and for me as a creative in Fashion NOT music,this helped me a lot,moreso as a ticking off of a checklist for myself and reinforcing some of the practices that I may not have paid attention to(but need to)…This video fell on my lap by the algorithm and I really enjoyed it.

[@OrezOreh2007]

This has to be the best channel on songwriting on YT, really excellent stuff. You’re the perfect duo and your tips are so insightful. I’m always looking forward to your videos. A massive thank you!

[@mdmorris6193]

What you are talking about here will put any songwriter onto an upward-trending path. Great video! I spent seven years with a Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer for a tutor. He has a theory that there is a formula to hit songs. But the formula has little to do with music per se and everything to do with how the brain processes music.

[@amirdejesus7077]

Can you elaborate

[@mdmorris6193]

@@amirdejesus7077 depends on what you mean by elaborate. If you mean “tell me the formula” then nope. Took me seven years and 2500 hours of study to work it out. And I agreed I wouldn’t divulge the principles. But you could buy his book “Mixing with your Mind” by Michael Stavrou and get started.

[@High_Gain_Pity_Party]

which is what? Not really sure what you're saying in that last sentence

[@pinkfreudcomment]

The great thing about rule no 1 is that you can absolutely write a song about how you're not in the mood to do your craft. And by the end of it it proves you wrong🎉

[@PorshiaVonne]

I love what y’all are doing here 🤗 💜 🌹 subscribed

[@JeffSans]

I agree, i have done some these tips and it worked. I have no musical background, i just love lyrics and melodies and now i am almost there to releasing my first album ❤ keep writing❤

[@Gratefulman1965]

I always find myself with musical ideas while driving to work. Two weeks ago. I had a verse with melody pop into my head. Saved it to my phone and once arriving at work I pretty much had a complete song in 8 to 10 minutes. while sitting in my car.

[@kaseybusler]

Oh wow, I do all of these without knowing it! Not saying I’m a top notch songwriter but it makes sense how I’m able to come up with ideas

[@jeffmiller7653]

This channel has become my favorite! You two do such great work. Well done once again!

[@samreschke4705]

I agree.

[@guitaring1]

I love that you used the concept 'necessary but not sufficient' to analyze pop music!

[@noodlemans]

Loved the video. I’m a songwriter in my band and I have been doing most of this list for quite awhile so I felt validated that my process is good. Songwriting is a skill and the more you do it the better you get at it. Hard work pays off.

[@question-question]

I get the movement part. I have come up with most of my ideas walking and driving. That's when the record function on a phone comes in handy (never mind the people looking at me strangely while I talk or sing to myself....)

[@adamscenna]

The down under duo does it again. ❤

[@jemsophia]

just discovered this channel and LOVING all of your videos: truly a refreshing angle on KZbin and in the songwriting world in general. thank you so much!

[@iamelemc]

Great content, I love it. I use quite a lot and I am still learning

[@jansonfamily8579]

Keep the Videos coming, they are all great!

[@NicoleAlejandraMusic]

This video was so encouraging and helpful, and I know for a fact that these habits work! Back in my college days, when I felt most strong as a songwriter, I did all of these things. Now that I don't do them, it almost feels like I've forgotten how to write music.

[@minna-maaritjaskari7793]

Great summary! The Get Back documentary of Beatles is a great example on how the first versions of Get Back - song becomes ready with the band.

[@JustineBlue]

You're are both great ✨thank you for your channel

[@bassboy8910]

Thank you for your advice, mentoring and kindness when talking about Song Writing- You make me feel normal in the respect that I do and have done many of the 1,2,3 AM note taking etc. I feel like it’s ok to keep so many notes and ideas that I have tossed in the past. Like every song writer I have tons of notes that I almost have tossed. I am currently going through years of notes, on bar napkins, match books, or any bit of paper that had a idea on it. Lastly - here is a personal point as a professional touring musician/ writer - it is so smart to keep all notes as they happen because you can never go back to that place in time to get that same feeling that you wrote about. Be it sad, happy or everything in between. Believe me - how many of us have said “Oh I’ll never forget this idea” ha ha - anyway - best of luck and I’ll keep watching you and absorbing your amazing thoughts and ideas. ♥️

[@ivanrains8529]

Thanks!

[@zigzagwanderer9531]

On 5).... most any sort of menial/repetitive task/labor can spur creativity. The mind is free to wander "a million miles away" in that creative, problem-solving mode while cutting grass, washing dishes, mopping floors, etc. Legendary comic Andy Kaufman also worked bussing tables in a restaurant for this benefit. It's a cool thing about the human mind

[@VincentCordel]

I was skeptic with the catchy title but it was a really informative and articulate video. Thank you for all the work you put in it !

[@fredlambert5097]

Just discovered this channel - blown away - watched three videos so far and am genuinely inspired and feel helped. THANK YOU!

[@victorcobane6644]

Proud to say I have already been doing many of these, but I will admit that I need to revise my work more. Sometimes when I want a simple post-chorus or 4 bar bridge or something, I just force something out real quick, and record it into my DAW so then it's there and I can move on to where I'm feeling inspired that day. That would work if I came back to the part I half-assed later and fixed it, but sometimes I don't, because I got attached to that version. Even still, I will still try to get better at it. Great video!

[@AaronKendallWilson]

These videos are so good! Thank you, you two!!!

[@oliii3381]

this video is INSANE thank you for those practical tips 🖤

[@timoploog]

Danke!

[@Songwritersbehindthecurtain]

Album covers and liner notes are used, and sometimes additional information is provided, such as analysis of the recording, and lyrics or librettos. Historically, the term "album" was applied to a collection of various items housed in a book format. Are studio albums big or small compared to a chapter book 📕 📖 📚? And in your own opinion It is a cohesive collection of songs used to tell a bigger theme or project an overall vibe. Think of an album as a book. And your songs as chapters. Every book has chapters. Every album has songs. Each chapter is different. Each song is different. But the collection of chapters (the collection of songs) is what tells the full story of the book (of the album) 💿. Usually the songs on an album are the result of an artist's creations during a season of life. This means the songs can all speak to a similar set of themes, ideas and topics. So the aim of an album name is to try and sum up the big story/concept that all the songs pull from when they were written. It's not always like these, especially today. But traditionally, an album is like a "book" with the songs inside being like "chapters." You agreed 👍 chapters in a book yes taking taking the different song sections and compiling them building out a story is like a mini book with different chapters and uh adding in those details to make the song really shine . Chapters of the book are very detailed and some people say instead of track one they say chapter one yeah . so with the different uh uh the analogy to storytelling is is maybe not even an analogy it might even be like exactly the same because the song lyrics are in essence telling a story um other people who said the music of the words uh or the music of the words then the Rhythm then the bass then the basic Baseline Melody then tweak the words then detail of the melody harmonies then transitions then tweak the harmonies then recycle ♻. Song title plus numbers equals 🟰 chapters lyrics equals 🟰 details. Are studio albums are leaning towards mini which is small book 📕 or full book 📕 📖 📚 both mini and full book 📕 📖 📚 chapter book 📕 📖 📚 which is In my opinion the number is a chapter which means a main division of a book, typically with a number or title while the song title is a song title more of chapter 1 leaning towards book 📕 📖 📚. It dosen’t matter how you say it if an album total 🟰 duration is about 29:25 and it has about 10 chapters it would considered a mini book 📕 📖 📚 but an album that has 8 chapters and the total 🟰 duration is about 49:37 it would consider as a full book 📖 📕 📚 to me it dosen’t matter how long or short the albums are but in my preference albums are books 📖 📚 📕. But what’s your own opinion about it? Are studio albums are leaning towards chapters In my opinion the number is a chapter which means a main division of a book, typically with a number or title while the song title is a song title more of chapter 1 leaning towards book 📕 📖 📚.

[@WizardOfArc]

love mention of necessary vs sufficient

[@Emm_R_Guitar]

Alot of this reassures me im on the right track !

[@lovman]

1st time listener to this channel, it popped into my YT feed. I am not a songwriter, but a listener to songs who happened to take an Intro to Songwriting course via coursera from Berklee 10 years ago. John Mayer also took a course from this particular teacher. There were thousands of students taking this, songs uploaded to soundcloud for mutual feedback and grading. 30 years ago, I also read Steven Covey's book - "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." So good songwriters could be effective people and songwriters if they followed Covey's seven habits, coupled of course with these seven habits of effective songwriting. Great job Keppie and Bennie. So a question - what IS an "effective" songwriter?" There could be lots of answers and definition to that question, depending on one's perspective - someone who sells a lot of songs or tickets or gets many likes. That is one measure. Or someone who makes beautiful music and art. It depends on what the songwriter hopes to accomplish with their art. I liked the idea of prosody in music - "songwriting means making sure your words and melody fit well together" (along with harmony and rythym). To me, what is really cool about songwriter (for the singer-songwriter - i.e. the combination of lyrics AND music, vs lets say jazz or classical with just music) is the combination of lyrics with music - those are two different skills combined in one artform (vs the journalist or writer of novels or poetry which are "only" focused on the skill of writing). Keep listening, writing and performing songwriters!

[@CarlineFrancois]

I enjoy songwriting 🎶

[@SillyWillyFan47]

Thanks Keppie and Benny. So many points clicked with me. The notebooks, the recorded song ideas at 2am, etc. I had a sense of arrival or coming back home.

[@Tiomofee]

Wow, again a noteworthy video on the strategies of songwriting. I can personally confirm the importance of (5) taking breaks and (2) re-vising. One of my most beautiful songs from the past that I had no old recording of came to me again when walking my old dog in the woods. First I only remembered a line of the lyrics, then during the course of a few weeks I could remember not only the lines I had once written but also the complete melody. When I did a recording session afterwards it came out beautifully and better than I thought it would sound/be. Thanks to my beloved dog (see icon) for inspiring my mind by "walking me" and guiding me to find what I thought had been long forgotten. ;-) Almost the same is true for a "new" song I am working on right now. It actually was written 50 years ago when I was a teenager and I was lucky to have one recording from a rehearsal at that time. Of course that sounded awful, even more way back then the song had very poor lyrics. So my first intention was to re-write lyrics in a useful way and I succeeded after maybe 2-3 weeks. The next step was to combine it with instruments I now have at hand - and I am so enthusiastic about the outcome that I absolutely must underline the impact of revision. - Unfortunately, I cannot apply the recommended most important hint (#1): to write on a daily basis - but at least I can take advantage from a long list of drafts and sketches I have kept (habit #3). We`ll see how far I get. :-)

[@stevenotice2918]

Your videos are some of the best. I agree with most of your concepts but i also note that most of the truly great songwriters came upon these concepts themselves, through experience and trial and error, and very few co-wrote as it’s conceived today (even Lennon/McCartney mainly wrote their own songs and then finished them together). I’d love to listen to your best songs if you could add a link. Thanks.

[@katstark_]

So good. With lots of exciting linked resources. Thank you.

[@FrancescaBettiMusic]

Thank you for the video. New subscriber

[@daysleeper3910]

I love everything about this!.

[@HalonaC714]

Progress over perfection

[@highfive6553]

Awesome!! Thank you!!

[@samvtz5514]

I write my songs when am around new people that i meet and go record it on my phone or my friends phone than go to studio to rewrite the song with the experience that i got that day or night. It always work for me📍💯🙌🔈🔉🔊🔗

[@EricDubois-c4j]

Love this!! I always set a timer when making songs... If I don't get in the "zone" or "flow" within 15 minutes, I move on! Aloha from Hawaii! 🤙

[@Narikami931]

Tremendously helpful information, amazing as always! Thank you sooo much!

[@apunkandamonk8942]

so grateful with you guys! fkn epic video, and already downloaded the ebook! thank you! wow, im happy

[@knordag]

Really brilliant video guys - makes so much sense and confirmed a lot of things I'd suspected about the songwriting process but couldn't articulate. I'm hooked :)

[@sendjamin]

thanks kirkland brand paul & linda!!!

[@stormcorrosion176]

😂😂

[@MrJimvilandre]

Really great conversation! Thanks so much for sharing this

[@BrianOboylemusic]

I really appreciate these videos to help me tremendously trying to figure it all out thinking maybe one of those groups would be a good place

[@patriciacollins5716]

So much great advice Ben and Keppie, thanks

[@Dogeatbicycle]

The quotes are really an amazing part of the videos!

[@preciousmousse]

This is sooo helpful! Thank you for giving out all these connections 🙏

[@christopherfryda]

Wow! Great video, thank you!

[@kevinobreque_]

wow the n°1 habit was so beautifully put that it actually hurt to hear. from today im gonna try to squish my brain everyday to get better at this. thank you!

[@markherzog1186]

..an AMAZING video, fabulous... sincerely.. TY!!!

[@DiegoRRL]

Entertained since the very first second, the best way to receive this amazing content. New subscriber from Colombia.

[@jramnorway7985]

Thank you so much for ther video. This made me open up some doors specially about the habit topic. You guys rock and made my day

[@wachiravichamorndachaphon5257]

Thank you so much , This is a very useful video for song writter

[@RaveRadio]

So happy I found this channel. Ace info guys

[@bradmacneil3755]

Great info.These people know stuff.Many truths spoken here.Awesome 👍🏻

[@SteveRomigsongwriter]

My last album was written from ideas I got while I walked my dog. In fact I wrote one of the best songs on the album in its entirety on one 10 k walk. So stepping away was really helpful.

[@AnthonyHeadway]

This is really interesting thank you I suffer from writers block and I always self produce I don't want a preconceived notion or sell ... I will produce myself... Keep my independence and I haven't written an original song since 2017 it's not a must I just wait for the right moment but I can't seem to finish anything and there is no ideas

[@thebookofcurtis]

awesome video! thank you for making it.

[@andyokus5735]

If you want to be a truly great songwriter and not the hacks these two are talking about then study why Burt Bacharach and Stevie Wonder are such masters of timeless music.

[@xpaddy01]

First I want to thank you both for creating this amazing and important video. I’d also like to thank the Universe for dropping this into my feed at just the right time! Thanks again for this video. I guess I better get to work! :)

[@UltimateBoss-or1ng]

Thank you guys! This is a great video.

[@annajansson221]

Fantastic advice, thank you so much!!

[@mitchtheneedle]

Here's why I stopped asking my friends and family members for input on my songs---as a clarification on the tip about getting input while working on a song. Just after 11:00 in this video, you asked, "How can you develop the habit of seeking and receiving high-quality feedback?" Then you correctly pointed out that "One of the problems for a lot of songwriters is that they don't have a trusted community of people who they can get feedback from... the problem for a lot of people can be knowing who those people are." And although you suggested finding other musicians, or songwriters who don't write in the same style who can give you a fresh perspective. Or, even rolling the dice to reach out to producers of records you love. And you mentioned your songwriting groups as well. All valid ideas (and I really enjoy your videos by the way---lots of great ideas). But, even though you pointed out places for getting high-quality feedback, many songwriters unfortunately will just go to their friends or relatives and ask, "Hey, here's the first version of my new song. What do you think of it?" I've done it myself, going as far as giving 40 of my friends the demo versions of an upcoming project and a survey packet asking for specific input... And that was a soul-crushing mistake. Here’s the situation as I see it. When our friends and family listen to the radio, they are in “listening” mode, not “evaluation” mode. They don’t have to be in evaluation mode when listening to the radio or when listening to the top tracks on Spotify, because they assume someone else has already done the evaluation and determined “this is a good song that you can enjoy” so they just enjoy it. But when we go to our friends and want them to listen to our newest song (or our newest rough mix or scratch-track vocals) they assume that we want them to go into “evaluation” mode. But unless they’re a songwriting, recording musician they’re not really equipped for that, and they try on-the-spot to compare your song against some checklist in their mind of why they think they like songs on the radio. They simply can’t do it cause they’ve got no experience evaluating songs on the same level that you do as an artist (you know the nuances and all the special things you did to make that song, but they just hear some music). An important analogy: My grandmother knits hats every winter for the great-grandkids. She’s always excited to show me how special the knitting patterns are that she used and that she spent many hours on. But I have no insights or knowledge on evaluating hand-made knitting. To me it just looks kinda the same as a $2.49 polyester yarn hat at Walmart. I find it interesting when she shows me what she’s made. But I’m not able to really get excited about it because my only knowledge of knit caps is putting one on my head when it’s cold. And for most of our friends their only knowledge of music creation is putting some pre-approved music into their ears. That’s why I stopped asking family and friends to listen to our band’s songs before they’re released--they can hear the songs when they’re in “listening mode” once the songs are out on Spotify. So my recommendation is, as you said in this video, to cultivate a few people who are trusted and have some expertise in songwriting or production. But I'd just go a step further to suggest NOT going to family and friends and expecting them to get any more excited about your song than they'd get about a knit hat from Walmart. Hope that makes sense in some way. Gotta run. Finishing the mix on our band’s next release today. :) --Jer of the band @mitchthe needle (all original music, spanning the pop/rock spectrum musically and lyrically, on all streaming services and KZbin).

[@OfficialStevenCravis]

Inspiring video!

[@YANIDAILY]

This is a truly amazing video - so many golden nuggets Appreciate giving us this insight

[@soursweettooth]

Writing a good song is sort of like having a good dream. There are certain practices that can maybe, increase the chances of it happening (have a comfortable bed, sleep a lot, etc.) but they're not prescriptions. If writing good music could really be distilled down to a series of steps, wouldn't everyone able to follow a recipe be able to write a great piece of music? Obviously that's not the case though. The only real suggestion that makes any sense is just to write as often as you can, don't listen to advice, and don't overthink it - and if you are genuinely interested in the art form, then overtime, the songs will come.

[@prakhartiwari2624]

Great Video, super helpful !!

[@CarlineFrancois]

I like the steps. Thank you for sharing.🎶🎵

[@Elena-du4bu]

Thank you so much for this video! I had a hard time to see the value in listening to so many different genres and always felt like I was undecided and not consistent or even having an identity crisis. It was such a relief when you talked about it’s potential in the process of making music.

[@stevehenry9826]

Amen. Thank you Jesus and Thank you Heavenly father.

[@annesymon8443]

Thanks so much for this.. top notch content

[@hurricane_valence]

I've listened to so much different type of music in my lifetime. Machine I know has helped me become a better song writer. I honestly think I'll send a way too much music Apart from music, access to music, online and streaming services, I currently have a catalog of over six thousand songs on my ipod call me old school😅

[@mekkpro]

Great stuff guys Keep it up❤❤

[@Angel-r1t6d]

Literally get the best just as I’m going into deep sleep 💤

[@GingerWaters]

I was looking for a written list of ”7 good habits” from description. I guess I’ll watch this again with pen&paper.

[@StanleyChrisOchieng]

Wow, this was super helpful ❤

[@jeffgarrison7056]

No matter what... Write every morning upon waking up or after coffee/tea/smoothie, etc... Write every evening before bed, especially as you are about to fall asleep or just as you're starting to dream, wake up and write!!! Write when you wake up, when you're tired, when you're full of energy, after working out, after sex, after a disagreement, after receiving good news, after you get back from a party or a bar/club or a movie or a concert or seeing a street musician or something that is out of the normal everyday grind... Write after being embarrassed/praised... Write when you're inspired, motivated, and/or you're in times of heightened emotion!!! Yes, write when you're inspired, but not only when you're inspired!!!

[@taigguitar]

Amazing video guys, thank you

[@judith4782]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, so helpful and well explained!

[@smokyalxander]

I love you guys so much, thank you for your work!

[@jojofelina]

Thank you guys for this honestly what a great list ! So relatable

[@TherapeuticMusik]

Thank you for helping my therapeutic music 🎶 🍿📻

[@namikibrooks9176]

Very helpful. Thanks for sharing ❤

[@NewFalconerRecords]

Forgive me for making a second post (I hate it when people do that), but this was an excellent video. Really great points all round. Well done once again.

[@thesuncollective1475]

I don't get John Mayer, I've tried but I just don't get it. Great Vid thx 8:43 who is the girl next to Alicia?

[@GabiNaomiMusica]

you guys are AMAZING. thank you!

[@NewFalconerRecords]

Forgive me for making a second post (I never do this as a rule), but this was an excellent video. Really great points all round. Well done once again