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 a text In this episode, I talk with Dr. Suzanne Hanser. Founding Chair Emerita and Professor of Music Therapy at Berklee College of Music. Suzanne is President of the International Association for Music & Medicine and Past President of the World Federation for Music Therapy and the American Music Therapy Association. She teaches a course for Berklee Online, Music Therapy Techniques for Wellness: https://online.berklee.edu/courses/music-therapy-techniques-for-wellness You can find her bl...
Send a text Jesse Ruben is a Singer songwriter and a master performer. In this episode, he shares performance techniques, how to connect with your audience, his favorite chords and advocating for yourself and finding innovative ways to get your music out there and so much more: Writing songs that people reach for, that effect their lives. What happens when your music is in service of the world. Taking the path you are offered and following it. Writing songs that people need Being a great live pe...
Send a text Matilda Gratte is one of my unforgettable former students from Sweden. She tours with Zara Larson and Ed Sheeran as a back ground singer and is an emerging singer/songwriter herself. In this episode, we talk about writing great melodies over common chords, adding tensions to those chords, touring with artists, and being true to yourself as an artist. She is an amazing artist. Matilda goes by the artist name Elma: https://www.instagram.com/thisiselma/ https://www.scarletkeys.com https...
Send a text In this episode, I talk with singer songwriter and Tisch Professor Mike Errico on: Writers block The power of “We” for songwriters and how it makes your listen feel seen Mission songs Songwriting prompts The importance of journaling Daily writing practice Rewriting Finding the sweet spot for the best key for your song Being yourself Mike Errico is a New York-based recording artist, writer, and lecturing professor Mike Errico has built his name on the strength of critically acclaimed ...
Send a text Back for more in part 2: Ken Yates has gained a reputation as one of his country’s brightest rising singer-songwriters. The winner of two Canadian Folk Music Awards for Songwriter of the Year and New Artist of the Year. Yates supported Passenger on their tour across North America and in Europe in 2020, and has shared stages with Ryan McMullan, Jenn Grant, and many others.He doesn’t like bar chords In this episode, he talked shares his secret sauce open tuning that inspired several so...
Send a text On this week’s episode, I have Hughie Stonefish on the show. Hughie is a member of the comedy act Lewberger and won an Emmy for best song written with Jason Alexander from Seinfeld. Hughie talks about how he using music theory, rhyme and improv in his songwriting. Here's the link to join my membership: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys/membership https://www.scarletkeys.com https://www.instagram.com/skeys2021/ https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/...
Send a text Ken Yates has gained a reputation as one of his country’s brightest rising singer-songwriters. The winner of two Canadian Folk Music Awards for Songwriter of the Year and New Artist of the Year. Yates supported Passenger on their tour across North America and in Europe in 2020, and has shared stages with Ryan McMullan, Jenn Grant, and many others.He doesn’t like bar chords In this episode, he talked shares his secret sauce open tuning that inspired several songs off of his newest rec...
Send a text In this episode, I talk with legendary master songwriter Hugh Prestwood about his craft and break down two of his masterpiece songs "The Song Remembers When" and "Ghost in this House". Show highlights: Writing alone and how for some writers, co-writing causes anxiety and doesn't allow you to do your best work. He likens cowriting to a painter handing another painter their paint brush in the middle of a painting. How important truth is in a song and how it gives you confidence Sus cho...
Grammy-winning songwriter Lori McKenna shares insights into her unique creative process, including how mumbling can lead to lyrics and treating songs as co-writers. She delves into advanced lyrical techniques like anaphora and the power of a "firework finale" in a last chorus. McKenna also recounts the inspiring stories behind her hits "Humble and Kind" and "Girl Crush," emphasizing the importance of writing from the heart and the magic of collaborative songwriting.
Send a text Wendy Moten Is known affectionately in various industry circles as “The Voice,” the multi-talented Memphis born performer launched her career with a self-titled album that included the ballad “Come In Out Of The Rain,” which reached the Top 5 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and later hit the Top Ten on the UK singles chart. Wendy opened for Michael Bolton and then recorded well received albums (including one produced by Foster). Wendy diversified and launched a new phase of...
Send a text In this episode, VP and A&R of Warner Bros. Nashville B.J. Hill, shared music biz gold! He talked about what he looks for in a writer he signs to a publishing deal, what he looks for in a song and nuances in lyric writing that he feels takes a song over the edge and onto the radio. He plays two of his favorite songs and talks about why he loves them. He shares a number 1 song and plays the original work tape before it was recorded by Kenny Chesney. He talked about how there's sti...
Send a text Rob Giles is a singer-songwriter known for his solo work, along with working with Andy Summers of the Police and the band The Rescues. He pivoted to film and television writing in 2015 when he sold two spec scripts to Warner Bros. Warner Bros also developed two shows with the CW in 2016 and 2017. This was such an inspiring and honest conversation touching on sobriety, therapy and working on yourself as well as your craft. We talked about lyric structure and the freedom in the boundar...
Send a text In this episode, Jeff walks us through one of his songs and how he makes melodic decisions. Show take aways: How to evolve your melody Focus to the relationship between chords and melody Secondary Dominant can be great chords for the bridge Create hooks both in the melody and piano part Focus on the song, not the business http://jefffranzel.com https://www.scarletkeys.com The show's theme song "What's in a Song" was co-written with Otto Gross Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: @Ot...
Send a text Liz Longley is a singer/songwriter who became the #4 most funded solo female musician in Kickstarter history - a story covered by Billboard Magazine. We talk about the power of a devoted fan base, building super fans, how important an email list is, booking venues and she performs her song "Fine" off of her new album "Funeral for my Past" and walks us through her thoughts on chords, melody and story development and a surprising place to use modulation! https://www.scarletkeys.com htt...
Send a text This week, I talk with Neuroscientist and best selling author of the book "This is your Brain on Music". Why we feel better when we hear sad songs, how certain compositional decisions affect the brain of the listener and so much more. https://www.scarletkeys.com http://daniellevitin.com This episode was mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com "The Craft of Songwriting: Music, Meaning and Emotion: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/08763919...
Send a text This week, I talk with Norwegian born L.A. based hit songwriter and producer about how he found his unique voice as a writer and a producer. Creative Bravery and being yourself in a wold that wants you to follow the trend and writing with and producing artist Salem Ilese. https://www.scarletkeys.com http://www.bendikmoller.com This episode was mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com "The Craft of Songwriting: Music, Meaning and Emotion: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Song...
Send a text In this episode, Pat walks us through several songs demonstrating the powerful effect of melodic phrasing and how it can transform your songwriting. He also breaks down one of his original songs to demonstrate the before and after he changes the phrasing. https://www.patpattison.com https://www.scarletkeys.com The final version of "Pieces" was arranged by: David Bawiec https://www.davidbawiec.com/?fbclid=IwAR0I9P7K-1IROgJBNQptzoVZKMWapVTv5-QNJzMiY_aQriaCXAuhPvZyUbM This episode was m...
Send a text In this episode I talk with singer/songwriter Sally Taylor about writing the music first, what she learned about writing from growing up with two of the most popular artists of our time and the power of metaphor. She shares her unbelievably inspiring brain child Consenses and how it can be so helpful to songwriters. Find Sally Taylor: https://consenses.org Scarlet's book on songwriting: "The Craft of Songwriting: Music, Meaning and Emotion: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Mu...
Send a text In this episode, I talk with best selling author of "Writing Down the Bones" on having a writing practice and trusting the mind. How writing topics can help songwriters, the zen of writing, haiku and being willing to write terrible things. https://nataliegoldberg.com https://www.scarletkeys.com "The Craft of Songwriting: Music, Meaning and Emotion: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1638411...
Send a text In this episode, I talk with hit songwriter Greg Becker about his writing process, what inspires him, what keeps him grounded as a writer. He shares his journey as a songwriter, how he cowrites and collaborates and the importance of rhythm in your melody. Persistance Process over outcome Collaborate Relationship first, cowriter 2nd Say things you believe Leave your ego at the door Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkey...
Send a text This episode is literally a master class on songwriting. Gary talks about his process, how he writes a song like it's a screen play and shows you how he writes a great melody and the notes that matter. Show take aways: · Start with a title · Decide what style the song should be in · Decide where to place the title to determine the song form · Is it the first line of the song? Does it occur at the end of every verse or at the end of the chorus? · Try writing the chorus first · Show do...
Send a text Steve Seskin is a hit songwriter and artist. He plays one of his hit songs and walks us through how the song came to be step by step, sharing his thought process and craft. He shares his insights on what it takes to write a great story song. Show take aways: Try writing your chorus first asking "What is the big pictures idea". Try to write so that your choruses grow in meaning each time you hear them. Try writing to the following chord progression: I VImin IV V = C Amin F G Rewrite, ...
Send a text In this episode, I talk with the author of "The Artist's Way", Julia Cameron and she shares some of her life changing tools for unblocking, creating flow, and handling the inner and outer critique. Show take aways: Take long walks, walking primes the pump Have a weekly artist's date Use humor to diffuse the mean critique voice Due your morning writing Write by hand When we are vulnerable we are rewarded with the flow of creativity Miniaturize you're sensor and give it a cartoon wee s...
Send a text Eric Roberson is a two time Grammy nominated singer/songwriter and producer and a professor at the Berklee College of Music. Some take aways from today's show: Be willing to crash and burn for the chance that we might find art Prioritize what's important and be willing to say no Be fully present and embody each and every moment Try different instruments to find new ideas in your writing What is your relationship with creativity? Write without responsibility Chew slow Be purpose drive...
Award-winning singer-songwriter Mark Erelli shares his evolved songwriting philosophy, emphasizing discipline over pure inspiration and the importance of "living a life worth writing about." He deconstructs his song "Rose Colored Rearview," revealing how he used musical and lyrical techniques to critically examine nostalgia, considering different historical experiences related to race and gender. Erelli also highlights the value of co-writing, near rhymes, and a producer's influence in expanding a song's emotional and structural depth.
Send a text In this podcast, Grammy winning songwriter Steve Leslie shares his journey as a songwriter, how he discovered and mentored writer Chris Stapleton, his favorite chord and his short hand way of playing it and advice to young writers on being a professional songwriter. Listening: Darryl Worley "Second Wind" https://open.spotify.com/track/3YMC28tMUsVS2czttUXdqC?si=118b4135d3134e50 Listening: Rhonda Vincent "Last Best Place" https://open.spotify.com/track/3DNgHPz55P6y1ti9ZhEUhT?si=7198673...
Send a text This is a new weekly podcast for songwriters on songwriting. In each episode, Berklee College of Music Professor and songwriter Scarlet Keys takes a deep dive into the craft, art and process of songwriting in conversations with eminent songwriters, producers and creatives asking them questions that only a songwriting professor would ask. This is an educational podcast aimed at giving listeners actionable tools, techniques and inspiration they can use in their songwriting. Scarlet's w...
