This is a weekly podcast about the craft of songwriting hosted by Berklee College of Music Professor Scarlet Keys. She takes deep dive into the craft, technique and art of songwriting in conversations with eminent songwriters, producers, and other creatives asking questions only a songwriting professor would ask so listeners can walk away inspired and armed with clear and actionable tools and techniques they can apply to their songwriting.
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Send us Fan Mail In this episode we talk about the critical thinking skills of a songwriter and the puzzle of the song. When your song feels like it's missing something or you might feel bored by your own song but don't know what to do to change it. After the song is written, it's important to know what to look for on how to make the song as effective as possible. I hope you will join me for my next online class to learn what to look for and the solutions that can make your song as impactful as ...
Send a text Welcome back to a new season! We are continuing on with the Life of a Show Girl interpreted with new up coming episodes. Today, I am joined with Dr. Joe Bennett as we break down "Eldest Daughter" by Taylor Swift. Songwriting retreats: Star Island In person songwriting retreat: https://starisland.org/program/songwriting-intensive-the-art-of-the-song/ Support this podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Join the “What’s in a Song” community: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys...
Send a text In this episode, we break down Father Figure from Taylor Swift's record "The Life of a Showgirl". In this episode we look at: The chord progression Melodic hooks Rhetorical devices Guitar voicings The stunning bridge and what the back ground harmonies are bringing to this section to make it so spectacular Phrasing Prosody Sign up for the Master class: The songwriting secrets of Taylor Swift Nov 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1811786424969?aff=oddtdtcreator Support this podcast: h...
Send a text Track32 on "The Life of a Showgirl" - Opalite I'm back with Forensic Musicologist Dr. Joe Bennett In this episode we look at: The chord progression Chord tensions Harmonic rhythm Borrowed chord Rhetorical device Production Direct modulation To sign up with the virtual live master class "The Songwriting of Taylor Swift" with Scarlet Keys: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1811786424969?aff=oddtdtcreator Joe Bennett: To learn more about forensic musicology and professor Joe Bennett: https:/...
Send a text Track 2 on "The Life of a Showgirl" - Elizabeth Taylor I'm back with Forensic Musicologist Dr. Joe Bennett In this episode we look at: The chord progression Chord inversions Tensions Harmonic rhythm Phrase lengths Melisma Writing from a title Melodic hooks To sign up with the virtual live master class "The Songwriting of Taylor Swift" with Scarlet Keys: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1811786424969?aff=oddtdtcreator Mailing list: https://www.scarletkeys.com/ Instagram: @scarletkeysoffic...
Send a text This is the first of a 12 episode series where Berklee College of music professor Scarlet Keys talks about each song off of the new Taylor Swift album "The Life of a Showgirl" searching for clues and signature moves that Swift uses as a writer to write songs that resonate with millions of listeners and pack stadiums. They are listening for literary devices, chord progression, ear worm, melodic hooks and theme. Scarlet wrote the course "The songwriting of Taylor Swift" for Berklee Col...
Send a text About this weeks guest: Roger Brown is an American businessman, philanthropist, and academic administrator and former president of Berklee College of Music . Brown is also the co-founder of Bright Horizons and founder and chairman of the Salt Lick Incubator. He is most recently a grammy nominated songwriter!!! In this episode, Roger talks about becoming a songwriter later in life, writing the truth and retiring from Berklee and creating a company for emerging artists called The Salt ...
Send a text Today, Ariel Hyatt introduces the concept of the Three Communities every artist must understand: - **Ambient Fans** who are aware of you - **Engaged Fans** who pay attention and interact - **Superfans** who support, advocate, and stick with you over the long term. She talks about the power of the mailing list, gaining true fans and if you only have 10 min a day to market, how should you spend your time. To sign up for Scarlet's virtual Metaphor class: Monday Aug. 25th at 4:00 p.m. - ...
Send a text To sign up for the online songwriting in process class: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1376858744569?aff=oddtdtcreator On today's show I have Psychologist Dr. Jill Stoddard So much of what goes into a song is the psychology of the songwriter. Mindset is so important to the creative. Today, Dr. Stoddard talks about how to work with our inner critic, why we have it, how to focus on meaning even when your critique is loud. She talks about how important self compassion is to the creative a...
Multi-Grammy winning songwriter Mark Simos joins Scarlet Keys to delve into the nuances of writing songs for social change, distinguishing them from traditional protest songs. They discuss critical craft elements like point of view, metaphor, and emotional range, analyzing powerful examples from Jean Ritchie, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, and John Mayer. The conversation offers practical advice and a songwriting prompt for aspiring creators.
Send a text Upcoming classes: To sign up for the April 5th workshop: "The songwriting of Taylor Swift": https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1252499231919?aff=oddtdtcreator To support this podcast and membership: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Show take aways: Try writing a song using the words and rhythm of a nursery rhyme to try audio doodling in your melody. Write your chorus first Start a song with the chorus You need input for output: Go hear live music, new music, travel, try new things, re...
Send a text In this episode, I speak with Neuroscientist, author and musician Dr. Daniel Levitin on how music affects our health. From reducing cortisol to lessening the effects of Parkinsons and how we can use music as medicine! We talk science and his new book "I Heard there was a Secret Chord: Music as Medicine": Daniel Levitin's music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7iRoKs96ka4AJPOA39VJj5?si=su7HYKBPT5y1LKw1ws5YfQ https://www.daniellevitin.com/contact https://www.amazon.com/Heard-There-Was-...
Send a text To sign up for the November 23rd virtual LYRIC WRITING WORKSHOP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1070697919299?aff=oddtdtcreatorhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/1080037885389?aff=oddtdtcreator My guest today is New England based singer/songwriter Jesse Terry. Before I introduce him I wanted to let you know that on Saturday Nov. 16th I am offering a virtual 3 hour songwriting workshop. There are a few spaces left and you can sign up through the show notes or on my website at scarletvkeys.com...
Send a text In this episode, I talk with singer/songwriter Kylie Rothfield. She shares what she learned about singing and stage fright from Alicia Keys. We talk about what she learned from writing with some of the best writers in Nashville, song craft, process and so much more. This was a good one! Pre save Kylie's single coming out Sept. 27th here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/kylierothfield/never-loved-somebody?utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=Email+&utm_source=SendGrid https://www...
In this episode, acclaimed singer/songwriter Michael McDermott provides an intimate look into his creative world, revealing how his Irish Catholic roots, early musical influences, and journey through sobriety and trauma have shaped his unique storytelling. He delves into his decision to release two distinct albums simultaneously—an acoustic and an electric—and shares insights into the deeply personal stories behind tracks like "East Jesus," "I Am Not My Father," and "Where God Never Goes." The conversation also explores the power of simple yet profound lyrics, the balance between intuition and craft, and his dedicated "workmanlike" approach to songwriting.
Send a text Today I have Berklee Professor Ben Camp on the show discussing AI We talk about where it is now and what it means for songwriters in the future. We talk ethics, creativity, originality, works that are derivative and Ben takes a song we wrote together years ago and puts it through AI to demonstrate some of the current possibilities AI offers creatives. Ben Camp has taught songwriting to over 2,000 students at Berklee College of Music, and is a gold record awarded writer and producer. ...
Professor Pat Pattison delves into his renowned metaphor-writing techniques, beginning with a musical analogy to explain how two disparate ideas can collide to create something new. He details practical exercises from "Writing Better Lyrics," distinguishing between simile and metaphor, and demonstrates their application through songs by Eli & Fur and Gillian Welch, revealing how these literary devices deepen emotional expression and foster creativity in songwriting.
Send a text My guest today is one of my former students singer/songwriter Madi Diaz Madi grew up in Pennsylvania where she was homes schooled by her mother and took piano lessons from her father at the age of 5. After high school, Madi was accepted to Berklee College of Music and met her first collaborator Kyle Ryan which led to her recording her first record skin and bones in Hawaii. Later, Madi went on to tour with the civil ward and Landon Pig. She was featured in Paste magazine as on of teh ...
Send a text In this minisode, I talk about writing melody and thinking of melody as the song's tone of voice. Auditioning melodies to make sure we pair the best notes with our most important words and the power of unstable notes in writing great melodies. To join my summer songwriting class "Writing Better Melodies" click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/melody-writing-intensive-tickets-943422099897 If you sign up before July 15th, you will receive a free copy of my book "The Craft of Songwrit...
Scarlet Keys explores the common barriers to creativity, primarily the fear of rejection and the myth of waiting for inspiration. She advocates for treating creative time as non-negotiable, suggesting a daily 10-minute commitment to overcome procrastination. The episode also challenges listeners to "just begin" and even write a "terrible song" to unlock their artistic flow, emphasizing that making is its own reward.
Send a text In this Episode, Robert Ellis Orrall talks about writing with Taylor Swift. What she was like as a young writer, how he set up the showcase that got her a record deal and shares two songs her wrote with Swift along with an original from his latest record. Upcoming workshop: Taylor Swift Master class this Tuesday May 28th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-songwriting-of-taylor-swift-writing-great-melodies-tickets-907284772177 Robert Ellis Orrall's website: https://www.robertellisorral...
Send a text My guest today s an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Will Kimbrough. As a producer, he has produced albums for Rodney Crowell, Todd Snider, Kim Richey, Garrison Star and Matthew Ryan to name a few. His songs have been recorded by Jimmy Buffett, Little Fear, Jack Ingram, and he has collaborated with Rosanne Cash, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, and Mavis Staples just to name a few. In 2004 he was recognized as the instrumentalist of th...
Send a text The storytelling effects of nouns. Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/ Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarl...
Send a text In this minisode, I talk about the power of verbs and how they can do more than just their expected work but can help to tell your story, create characters and build metaphors. Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/ Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To p...
Send a text In this episode, Ingrid talk about her influences, meeting her producer and shares three songs from her upcoming album. She talks about writing in opening tuning and writing process. https://www.instagram.com/ingridsaga/?hl=en Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/ Otto Gross: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMnxx19QD-vxD4wnYGTn3Jw Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ Scarlet's website: htt...
Send a text In this Episode I talk with singer/songwriter/producer/actor Aidan Laprete about Voice lessons, finding your sound, and producing. He walks us through writing melody takes - gibberish to find melodies, turning mumbles into words and making it make sense and shares guitar voicings to help you out of sonic ruts. Aidan is from Hawaii and was first known for his ukulele playing at age 8. He has been in film and tv such as "Hawaii Five-O" and "The Wilds" and performs and dissects several ...
Send a text Stuart Roslyn is a composer, producer and musician specializing in original music for motion pictures and their trailers. He also creates unique soundscapes for network tv and big brand commercials. His career spans more than 20 years composing and producing many genres of music for the biggest names in entertainment. He is either directing a full orchestra or writing and mixing in his studio. Today, Stuart is here to talk about his approach to work and to life. This episode is packe...
Send a text In this episode, I share a little peak into the craft and poetry of Taylor Swift's songwriting. We look at her choice of chord progressions and one way in to one of her epic bridge sections as well as her use of metaphor. You will walk away with a few tools from the woman currently ruling the world that you can try in your own songs no matter what the genre. Upcoming workshop signup: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-songwriting-of-taylor-weekend-virtual-songwriting-workshop-tickets-7...
Send a text David Wilcox is an award winning and highly acclaimed American singer songwriter from Asheville North Carolina. His storytelling cuts deep into the soul and observes the human condition from both the nerve center and the outside looking in. He’s released more than 20 records and is famous for his thoughtful insights, humor and open tunings on guitar. In this episode, David talks about process and prompts and writes a song on the spot. https://www.davidwilcox.com To pre-order Scarlet'...
Send a text David Wilcox is an award winning and highly acclaimed American singer songwriter from Asheville North Carolina. His storytelling cuts deep into the soul and observes the human condition from both the nerve center and the outside looking in. He’s released more than 20 records and is famous for his thoughtful insights, humor and open tunings on guitar. In this episode, David takes a deep dive into his writing process and will leave you totally inspired. https://www.davidwilcox.com http...
