Songwriting Lesson for Beginners to Advanced - Part 1

[@leahgodson2319]

Thank you so much for this. Very well explained. Melodic motif: the fingerprint or DNA of a song that belongs only to that song. It is pitch and rhythm e.g. 4 notes. Pick a motif and then add techniques. Techniques: 1. Repetition 2. Lengthening 3. Contrast with the next section (chorus or pre-chorus) E.g change in note length, raised pitch, shorter phrases, half-measure motif, add new/change motif 4. Start the phrase/melody before the downbeat in the pre-chorus & chorus (in the verse it started after the downbeat)

[@BillyCosmosis]

I'm amazed at the amount of ignorant comments. People don't appear to realize that songwriting is a craft as well as an art. Not only craft can be taught but she is an excellent teacher, and the techniques that she is sharing are pure gold - if you have the ears to receive it.

[@isaacdynys6518]

Exactly. While the techniques are simple and kinda generic sounding, there is Definetly a craft to why it sounds so good.

[@melissarainchild]

Music is (foremost) a JOB, it's work. By the time you get to be on that stage, you have done a ton of work. That work needs to be recognised...and loved...

[@andreastolpe]

Your skepticism is a good thing However, there are tools for songwriting that can be learned to improve our craft. Those tools don't need to replace our original process, but can offer flexibility and growth. When those tools combine with our inspiration, that's when magic can really happen. If you're looking for raw art, look elsewhere than Billboard top 100. Just because you asked, you will find some of my songs there as well. Search for a process that works for you if this isn't it.

[@batman48195]

Well said!

[@woohoo3021]

I like the melody! If i had come up with those motifs i would’ve make the prechorus, the chorus, with the necessary changes in other sections obviously . I’ll be listening to your songs!

[@richardsmith7215]

This is one of the most helpful songwriting tutorials I've watched. I actually took notes. Thanks for sharing your insight!

[@PaulLadendorf]

I've been writing songs for about 5 years but never thought about which beat the phrasing started on. Great lesson. Thank you.

[@tamodyssey]

It doesn't hurt to have some theory down, it can only help you expand your creativity. Before, I was writing purely by feel but after reading Andrea's "Popular Lyric Writing" I'm able to write more engaging songs and with greater ease. Don't hate, you'd be surprised how many of your favourite artists have learned and used the exact things that Andrea has mentioned.

[@tammieschiller397]

Where would I find this?

[@redviper2100]

Very useful. It would be nice to see more videos like this from you. Thank you for spending time recording this!

[@kizitoonyeagusi2824]

11 years later and she’s still as beautiful as ever

[@sandEffect]

Amen!

[@isaacdynys6518]

yOu’rE dEgRadInG wOmEn

[@darioscomicschule1111]

Thank you so much! This is pure Gold. Starting before the downbeat!

[@razerfish]

This is the best lesson on songwriting I have found on youtube.com so far. It's obvious this lady understand song structure. I approach screenwriting in a very structure orientated way, so this is how I would prefer to approach songwriting. I'm just learning to play guitar, but I'd like to write some songs once I feel comfortable enough playing where I can make up some simple melodies and riffs. If anyone knows of a better songwriting instructor (free is best), please let me know.

[@jbela]

Check out At home songwriting with Chad Shank he has a channel and free classes on zoom

[@donnyt7799]

Just found your page. Love it. Following.

[@kyle_wagner_music]

Thanks for this great lesson, you made the concept of motif and how to use it in an actual song very clear! And what a beautiful motif and moving harmonic accompaniment!

[@andreastolpe]

Thanks Kyle, so glad you found this useful!

[@princessl.d.g.]

Very well explained! Will keep going over this 😊

[@cmsquared63]

Many of these comments remind me of the old joke: "How many guitarists does it take to change a lightbulb?" Answer: "100. One to change the lightbulb and 99 to stand around and say 'I can do it better than that." Stop being competitive and enjoy what other musicans have to offer. Or go make your music that's "better" and leave the rest of us alone already. Andrea, thanks for your efforts, I found this most helpful!

[@dudeman5303]

That is so brutal, but so damn true. I literally just got into a heated argument with someone in a youtube comments section today who was doing that, I dont even know if they're actually a musician but i find people who actually take music seriously dont tend to go into comments sections to try to convince everyone else theyre a musician because they already know they are. Its always the ones that dont actually do it that have to go around and proclaim thats what they are, and they're only fooling themselves because its obvious to everyone else how insecure they are. And what's more, they like to get all skeptical if you say you're a musician, as if you care or if from reading your comment they could actually tell. A legitimate musician may be ale to tell based on whether or not they seem to know what they're talking about but you cant tell if they arent giving any signs, its all in how they portray it and the language they do or dont use. But it seems like the ones that go around being a dick about it are the ones that just picked up an instrument and learned maybe 5 songs, and they now feel accomplished and want everyone to know they're the best musician, and after a week or two they don't pick up the instrument again. I've known so many people like that.

[@AnthonyCarrier]

I just found your personal channel...I usually see you on Berkley online...your a very knowledgeable motivational speaker!

[@leowekesa3382]

This is awesome! Thank you so much confirmation of everything big starts small. Alot has been learned and benefited here. I look forward to be an awesome song writer one day just like you Andrea. Thank you for this video.

[@Thestripper1]

Thanks for the video Andrea, this was really helpful!

[@markchristopher2signal2]

I love youtube for videos like this.. She's the best.. Simple and it makes sense in pop music.. ( listens to Depeche Mode)

[@charleswebb4014]

Great video, I am sure many have thanked you on here. I just want to add another big thank you. It is a true gift to be able to teach people.

[@donniereese5032]

Charles Webb yt? Fb w Webbn Fl8g rtf hrhhrh&uhhhshd dheuhdHr be bru fufhfifFFfu Fdh f rsa hbfHrh $ hrhrh fhHfUCfuf FSryfuFurhrv IFFGbbcj IFu

[@thechoripankiller]

+Donnie Reese that's great hun

[@debeshbhattarai]

Wonderful, it is really nice to meet amazing people, my songs are going to be different from now one. That is going to add a lot flavor for sure. Many Thanks...! Listened to Arvil, as well and it is same style as you did, how wonderful.

[@mantrinbago]

Why isn’t this woman more famous?

[@redrubyermishow2729]

Love this channel... Great, love Berklee, our friend Ed Roland went there! It's amazing how simple songwriting is if you can just remember all the things you learned at the moment of writing the song. So much to consider! Great melodies are hard to write. Ximre's session player talks about general beginner writing ideas and ways to write songs. Ximre has their first video out March 1, 2018.

[@Rishokan]

I Love you ❤ Thanks 🙏 For This Dimond Lesson 😭 Thankyou.....

[@AnthonyCarrier]

"I'm with you" is a song you use often...I remember backing a girl a while ago and that was one of her favorites...and I notice that you refer to it often!

[@EstudioLatinoMX]

This woman is great, I am gonna her book.

[@tommydavid7753]

Daniel Gonzalez i am gonna her book?

[@MoodyMo]

This is a great lesson. Very clear and concise. Thank you for sharing your craft.

[@RainMayoMusic]

i agree with you in some ways. This girl is good and has writing techniques but what makes an artist an artist is making his own stuffs and style. Musicians study how to play instruments and explore them by themselves and experiment by doing something new..i love School of Rock too!!! This girl should go out there play her own songs even though some artist already sang those.

[@stickwithmecollectibles]

Thanks a lot Andrea! Really appreciate your effort and work. You are awesome!

[@smiles2322]

I just love you Andrea! I have your popular lyric writing book and it has helped me a lot.

[@lilycarone5116]

Thank you for this inspirational content!!

[@molokofan9601]

Really good video I've been stuck trying to write another song and this really made me think about my approach to writing. I tend to write by just doing it and often I feel dissatisfied with the results but by doing something simple by just really doing a section and seeing how it contrasts with another is quite effective!

[@BillyReedMusic]

Excellent video!! Clear, and we'll explained. I am grateful. Now I can see why Ben Folds "Brick" was so powerful and well structured. Thank you for sharing your tips!

[@dudeman5303]

Andrea, this video helped me a lot. I've been writing for a few years but for some reason I never tried to look into certain definitions or methods outside of listening to music and breaking down and studying songs and lyrics I like, (especially leonard cohen, my god his lyrics are just, so good). But this helps a lot, I appreciate this. Also, I am so damn sorry all these dudes are objectifying you in the comments, its really gross to see how people get when they're essentially anonymous on the internet. I bet it gets tiring to have to see all that every time you go over comments.

[@tomjanekwells]

Absolutely great lesson, thanks for the tips

[@loveseptember9932]

I am so grateful, thank you very much for helping people

[@kirrinisland]

The motif in the verse is very similar to the chorus of "Running up that hill" by Kate Bush.

[@sullivansongz]

just had that thought...plus something by Susanne Vega...not being willfully spiteful but I find the whole thing dull

[@tt-du6vc]

Yes! I heard that right away lol

[@isaacdynys6518]

Tom Sullivan These techniques are legit designed to teach you to write the most generic song ever. I suppose once you understand the concepts of generic songwritng, you can then make it unique. Lol idk why I’m responding this was so long ago

[@EJxosunshine]

Wonderful lesson! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

[@nateslate7]

awesome and very inspiring... thank you... and as for the smart ones posting negativities; research and factual information support criticisms . if you look at her website you'll see who's actually cut her songs. lol. and as for those who take lessons. wow, i guess you've never heard of john mayer or melissa ethridge who both went to berklee. john mayer actually said he wrote some of his first song in his first semester of the songwriting course. haha, this is blunt honesty... peace ns.

[@crossrodde]

This is very helpful, and I feel like I already kind of understood these things, but you made the structure very clear, thanks!

[@THEJMILLSBAND]

Nice to meet you Andre Stoelpe,Love the way you approach teaching songwritting.Hope to get into the Berklee EdX . Just purchasd your ebook through google playstore and it's very good so far :-)

[@TyJilla]

Impressive! Just bought your book.... AND SUBSCRIBED.. Would love to see more videos in the future!

[@mr.3camerasman59]

I think she's the author of the smash hit, "I Left My Heart In El Segundo".

[@Niberu17]

Thank you Andrea.

[@jamesrossmusic6013]

Very nice... Thank You Andrea!!!

[@31v13]

I have your book and just wanted to say that I love it! Goes very in depth and can make the confusing process of writing a song much much simpler

[@pipinpip]

Thank you so much; amazingly helpful. ✨

[@PeachesChrenko]

Beautiful song ...thank you for this very helpful video!

[@MynZnusz]

Very good lesson, I really need to learn songwriting. And your voice is beautiful!

[@bendavidmusic]

This is amazing!

[@StevePhillips]

I found you on Berklee Andrea, this is going to be my last try at learning to make tune to song I have written and find out how to play it which chords to choose etc. I have subbed you. I'm from Oswestry, Shropshire UK Thank you!

[@shawntoon1972]

Thank you Andrea for your help, sincerly.

[@Jonmicol]

I absolutely love your videos!!!

[@hughand54]

Good information.Although I heard Paul McCartney making a song out of a base run,on his bass "No More Lonely Nights"

[@Mbarie]

This is gold!!!!!!!

[@soulcastMountain]

Well said and illustrated!

[@paulawilliamson637]

I just love your eloquent way of speaking &'teaching. You're knowledge & musicianship are priceless & I am thankful for your gracious gift. My band & I write hard rock kinda like early Heart, Evanescences, etc. We seem to struggle with our ballads. We start out with a nice repetition of arpeggios for the verse, bridge &'chorus. It sounds ok, except that it always feels like these songs need to flourish into more towards the mid section traveling towards the second chorus, but it always seems abrupt & clumsy. It sounds forced,. What would you do in these situations? Take care.

[@moom1000]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@ARCHDEACONMUSIC]

Great tips Andrea!

[@jMerkyJJ]

When you write do you start with the chorus, verse, or any particularl part?

[@ArthurCunnington_singer]

@trikespotter im a finalist for make it break it awards iv just played my first gig im getting noticed and i started writing because of this video-so jog on :P

[@talhahussain2450]

Nice tune andrea

[@Joey-Robertson]

So glad I seen this. Thanks

[@vatarants]

Very helpful

[@frank10manning]

@TheMusicrox5 That word is motif. I sure liked Andrea's lesson. ... Frank

[@ViaAvione]

Excellent! Subbed! Cheers, :D London

[@mulholland1985]

u luk pretty like heaven....nice lesson too...

[@BillyCosmosis]

Excellent info, thanks

[@izaacmusic1]

@trikespotter Actually, that quote was first found in a famous Woody Allen film which was produced when Jack Black was in diapers...lol. You'd be surprised how often and to what extent successful artists study their craft. It's usually those who are creatively blocked who perpetuate the notion that "you either got it or you don't" and that "true artists don't need to study or work at it". The whole process requires a great deal of work, technical, and spiritual. And the work never ends .

[@gabegmusic8156]

Amazing. I luv u.

[@michaelcraig9449]

Andrea, I wrote 19 note books of songs, so far.. I have no clue how to do quality recording, can you help me maybe get in touch with folks that need songs, etc, maybe they can record it and make a hit, like how Bob Dylan let people use his songs, but he still got paid by it? Any way you can maybe help me get it happening with the music, if you want to, thanks.

[@h.u.t.9677]

u r great

[@danTES8011]

@razerfish You should try the Let's Write Some Music Dawg Blog. It's comprehensive, and free.

[@MAATHOTEP]

THANK YOU ANDREA

[@mandyharewood886]

Thanks!

[@MegaSissylala]

@chucknorrisrhk5 sandman is pop dude pop isnt a bad word. it just means popular.

[@frostywings]

Hi i have a question: So i wrote lyrics down on paper before putting some chords down the song is a sad rock song with Dm, Am, Bm, chords. but i am having trouble coming up with the melody part for it?

[@isaacdynys6518]

If you play piano or can easily play melodies on guitar, I reccomend just turning on voice memos on your phone and just messing around

[@bleebloe]

The whole point of song-writing is to illuminate "theory" and embrace "practice". You must write by feel. Once you achieve the foundation of a song through musical instinct and intuition, you can then worry about the theory by dissecting it to make sure it lives up to its optimum potential be it lyrically but especially musically. To write GOOD songs, you MUST understand music and have an ear. I have yet to hear of my faves who've learned this way. In any case, all the best to your song-writing!

[@MoodyMo]

Hi Andrea: Does your book and teachings cover only Pop music or do you touch on CCM, Urban and Jazz genres?

[@trikespotter]

@izaacmusic1 Sheeks! I can't remember that. It's been a few years alright. When I think of Annie Hall, all I can picture at the moment is the dinner preparation scene. lol... Think it's about time I grabbed myself a copy again. - That's what I thought also about the 'not saying anything offensive', but it didn't stop some other eejits from resorting to immediate name calling. Emotionally unstable cats. lol...

[@trikespotter]

Wow! Not always I get someone to even half agree with my point of view. BTW, aren't you that girl who has the song Sana? I heard that. Love the production on it. Rock, without actually being rock. :D

[@ngholden]

Only those who can do can teach e.i. Andres Segovia's Masterclass, Kurt Vonnegut's/E.B. White's/ Frank Lloyd Wright's Collegiate History. There is a curve in education just like everywhere else in the world. Just because you had a subpar gym teacher doesn't mean you can't learn a thing or two from this woman.

[@trikespotter]

@ ngholden - hahaha.. where have you been the past year plus?

[@blondetexmextele]

It's all relative...Isn't it Andrea?

[@trikespotter]

I ain't hatin anyone dude. You pick my point up wrong. People always lookin for the sour side of life. And I thought I was bein bitter. :D

[@SpaceAgeAlien]

I like it

[@TheRandomDestruction]

@Willyboy933 those da da da's are only the melody, you have to learn chordal and modal theory, and you have to write good lyrics

[@DAVIDDAMIENR]

Excellent. DDR

[@TheRandomDestruction]

@StickItToTheMan2012 i also like to forget all theory, scales chords and just let real music come out me, based purely on amazing, complex, intelligent melodies (as far as i'm able). what i'm trying to say is, just listen to whats in your mind and then translate it on to your instrument. i'm sure everyone gets what i'm saying, bye

[@geneclart1]

Andrea are you ever in the UK - I think I'm in love!

[@crystalsank1797]

hi Andrea, I'm writing lyrics but need w music

[@davepilgrim5798]

What a beautiful woman!

[@VHrules78]

very attractive

[@trikespotter]

@chucknorrisrhk5 Sandman IS pop. Metallica sold out when Cliff died, and they then didn't have someone solid enough to keep Ulrich in his place.

[@31v13]

No kidding, Hendrix was a pop star, so was Sinatra...

[@Gongchime]

Nadia Boulange' says you need to have a form and a technique to put within it. It doesn't have to be a traditional form or traditional technique but it better be something and not junior high school delusions of just doing anything random that you want.

[@ZeliZeleny]

nice, thank you :)

[@Gongchime]

Exactly.

[@ArthurCunnington_singer]

@andreastolpe heya-can i thank you for poasting this vid iv written some great material and came top 6 in my agegroup (14-16) for make it break it awards :D (an international british songwriting competition) kind regards from across the pond arthur

[@trikespotter]

Ok, so maybe I was a bit blunt. Each to their own I suppose. You always need a bit of theory just to get the ball rolling. Actually using the Billboard Top 100 as a reference was a really bad choice coz I don't care much for commercial music and I'm not even from the US. :D Just thought it was a suitable comparison at the time. In the music biz myself, but I'm just a stubborn fool who believes in original talent more so than "by the book" stuff. No disrespect intended. Keep up the good work! :D

[@Frunk25789]

@300MUSIC not all ideas but nearly all ideas... i think that's true