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, we break down co-writing and talk about reflecting back on process and what can be learned from taking pause and observing what went well and what you wish had gone differently making you a better writer and co-writer going forward. To purchase Mark's books: https://www.amazon.com/Songwriting-Strategies-360-Degree-Approach-Music/dp/087639151X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2P5EAKVUEMJCD&keywords=mark+simos&qid=1691706851&sprefix=mark+simo%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1 Mixed by...
Send a text In this episode of a two part series, Berklee Professor and Grammy winning writer Mark Simos and I try out his unique approach to writing using different chord configurations in a writing exercise he calls Hank Williams in hell. This is a live co-write so if you are curious about how people write songs collaboratively or want to explore new ways to use the classic three chords, this episode is for you. The final song is shared at the end of this episode. To purchase Mark's books: htt...
Send a text In this episode of a two part series, Berklee Professor and Grammy winning writer Mark Simos and I try out his unique approach to writing using different chord configurations in a writing exercise he calls Hank Williams in hell. This is a live co-write so if you are curious about how people write songs collaboratively or want to explore new ways to use the classic three chords, this episode is for you! Sign up for keyboard class email scarlet@scarletkeys.com Mixed by Peter Sykes: htt...
Send a text Today’s guest is grammy winning songwriter and producer Rich Jaques. Rich has had over 1500 songs placed on film and t.v. and is going to share today about his musical journey. Some key points: Follow the point of enthusiasm (follow your bliss) Finding your own path Notice what makes you excited Writing more impressionistically as not to impose a lyric on a scene Don’t ask who you want to be but who are you Getting over your emotional wall in the biz What gets in your way to success ...
Send a text On today's show, I have singer/songwriter Will Dailey. In this episode, Will shares some brilliant marketing ideas and talks about: Tools: Try cutting something in half the chorus the bridge a bar a line do something upsetting to your cadence Great advice on writing your best verse 2 Why songwriting is good for you even if it’s not your profession Step outside your comfort genre Finding your instrument Don’t worry about the note you sing Worry about the truth you sing Mumbling as lyr...
Send a text Today I have Susan Rogers who many of you know as Prince’s recording engineer. Today we talk about her new book “This is what it sounds like” and who we are as listeners, what Prince used to ask her to prepare for his writing sessions and insight into writing songs that appeal to a wider audience. Some takeaways: Ask a non musical person for feedback on your songs Active listening Getting your best vocal performance in the studio Music from the neck up vs music from the neck down Mak...
Send a text Grammy-winning artst Paula Cole has released seven solo albums of original songs. Cole has performed with icons in many genres of music, from Peter Gabriel to Dolly Parton, Herbie Hancock to Emmylou Harris, and Amy Lee of Evanescence to Burt Bacharach. Cole’s emotionally deep performances and her poetic, intelligent writing makes her stand out from the masses of contemporary music. Her compositions have been covered by a diverse range of artists—including Hancock, Annie Lennox, Kathe...
Send a text In this short episode, I talk about starting with an idea or emotion and one of my favorite ways to find a good title for your potential song. Sometimes, an idea just needs a great hook to hang our song on. Announcing my 6 week songwriting course starting June 20th and my weekend workshop on the songwriting of Taylor Swift in July. Click here to sign up and for more information: https://www.scarletkeys.com/ To hear a full version of "Little Big Sky", here is Susan Cattaneo's version:...
Send a text In this episode, I talk with Dr. Joe Bennett First, we talk about what constitutes copyright infringement from the point of view of a forensic musicologist. Then, Joe dives into the analysis of "If I were a Fish" (pun intended) leaving everyone with some great new ideas to spark their songwriting. Dr. Bennett has been analysing and transcribing popular music for international publication since 1994. He has written 30 books, including transcription, teaching and reference works (publi...
Send a text Today I am so happy to have Corook and Olivia Barton on the show. Corook is a multi-instrumentalist based in Nashville, Tennessee. they are signed to Atlantic Records, and thave toured with JP Saxe and Jukebox the Ghost. Today share my conversation with Corook and their partner artist Olivia Barton. We talk about instant fame and it’s impact on an introvert, Corook talks about their path leading up to their first record deal and then they both talk about writing their magical viral s...
Send a text Robert Gillies is a hit songwriter and artist living in Norway. In this conversation we talk about finding the sweet spot of tempo for your song The 2 rules to start every cowrite with Working with Charlie Puth His fav microphone for home recording How our road to success can feel like a guided experience How to be in service of the work Opening for Andy Grammer To Pre-order Robert's next single "You're a Better Friend" https://orcd.co/yabf http://www.robertgillies.com Podcast engine...
Send a text In this episode, I am talking with someone at the start of it all, Berklee student Kieran Rhodes. He shares his favorite songwriting tools that he learned from Billy Joel and Randy Newman, why his friends nick named him the V/V, his experience on being on America's Got Talent and the two chords he won't leave home without. He plays a song he wrote in his songwriting 1 class in the mixolydian mode and I give a mini lesson on how to write in mixolydian. https://kieranrhodes.com/ https:...
Send a text In today's episode, I talk with Folk artist Vance Gilbert on How to be a great opening act. Some show takeaways: Be yourself, you can be shy and confident, but be sure about what you’re doing Wood shed the music and rehearse so you are comfortable with your performance Work on your timing and all the things that go into a great performance Practicing your relative pitch When singing: drop your jaw with an over emphasis with open vowel How to be a great opening act: Streamline your se...
Send a text In this episode, I am talking to Prince Charles Alexander about the evolution of hip hop music, production and rap. Prince Charles is a sought-after recording and mixing engineer whose clients include Mary J. Blige, Destiny's Child, Faith Evans, P. Diddy, the Notorious B.I.G., Usher, Boyz II Men, Brandy, Babyface, Sting, Aretha Franklin, Usher, Brian McKnight, and others. Alexander has garnered more than 40 Platinum and Gold certifications from the RIAA and has multiple Grammy Awards...
Send a text George Woods is an amazing guitarist, singer and songwriter and Berklee Professor. In this episode George shares how ADHD is a superpower for songwriters, what chords and melody bring emotionally. He writes a song on the spot and talks about what theory really is and plays his new single. http://www.georgewoodsmusic.com Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwr...
Send a text In this episode, I talk with Grammy nominated composer and award winning pianist, educator and author of the best selling book “Effortless Mastery” and “Becoming the Instrument” in part two of a great conversation. Find a place to sit and listen towards the end of the podcast for the meditation and then enjoy a live performance from Kenny. https://kennywerner.com Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purc...
Send a text In this episode, I talk with Grammy nominated composer and award winning pianist, educator and author of the best selling book “Effortless Mastery” and “Becoming the Instrument”. Here are some episode takeaways: You don’t move forward unless you practice Let your arms defy gravity Sate of presence of mind The body is the instrument that plays the instrument BE the instrument Get your mind out of the way so the body can commit to muscle memory and motor skill The need to sound good ob...
Send a text On today's show, Eric Roberson is back !! Eric is a 2x Grammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter/Producer/Artist/Entrepreneur. Winner of the 2012 Soul Train Music Award For Independent Artist Of The Year. Widely regarded as the "King Of Independent Soul/R&B". He was on Jimmy Fallon's show "That's my Jam" and has a new book out "Lessons". Here are some show takeaways: Perception is a golden gift Ideas are everywhere Say no to doubt When to say no How to say no When to say yes When record...
Send a text Today I have Grammy winner and producer Cliff Goldmacher. Cliff has a catalog of over 1,000 songs and writes with and for artists across multiple genres. He has written a #1 single on the jazz charts, a song on a GRAMMY-winning album and multiple songs featured in major movie releases and national advertising campaigns. Some of his songs have been recorded by Kesha, Keb Mo, and Lisa Loeb to name a few. On today’s show, Cliff shares some writing tips from his book “The Reason for the ...
Scarlet Keys sits down with Anna Wilson and Monty Powell, a powerhouse songwriting duo, to demystify high-level lyrical craft. They delve into Monty's "song map" for alliteration and internal rhyme, Anna's "Image Ladder" for vivid storytelling, and how to create engaging musical tension through chord choices. The episode highlights their diverse artistic journeys and the intentionality behind hit songwriting.
Send a text In this episode Berklee Professor and artist Susan Cattaneo shares the magic of songwriting and breaks it down offering some wonderful ideas on how to use metaphor. With her powerful voice, captivating melodies and finely-crafted lyrics, Susan Cattaneo is one of Boston’s most respected singer/songwriters and educators. Susan won the CT Folk Festival and is nominated for Singer Songwriter of the Year at this year’s Boston Music Awards. She has been a finalist or winner in the country’...
Send a text Tom Hambridge is an American rock, country, and blues, producer, songwriter, musician and vocalist. Hambridge has received two Grammy Awards, an ASCAP award, seven Grammy nominations, seven Boston Music Awards, and has been inducted into the Buffalo Hall of Fame. In this episode, Tom talks about his influences, how being a drummer informs his writing, working with vocalists, what he learned from Chuck Berry, avoiding cliches and navigating a cowrite. https://www.instagram.com/tomhamb...
Send a text Master piano player Matt Rollings Matt has played on countless records for artists such as: Wynonna Judd, Lyle Lovett, Shania Twain, Trisha Yearwood, Leonard Cohen, Mark Knofler, Dixie Chicks, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Billy Joel, Steve Martin, Bruce springsteen, Toy Story 4 Randy Newman and Christ Stapleton. Matt has produced many artists such as: Keith Urban and Mellissa Manchester He won a Grammy for Producing, arranging and playing on Willie Nelson’s record: Willie Nelson Singers Ge...
Send a text Justin Tranter is one of the most successful pop songwriters of our time. Tranter has co-written with Julia Michaels , and written songs for artists such as Britney Spears , Gwen Stefani , Linkin Park , Kelly Clarkson , Selena Gomez , Justin Bieber , DNCE , Kesha , Imagine Dragons , Fifth Harmony , 5 Seconds of Summer , Ariana Grande , Lady Gaga , Bea Miller , Demi Lovato , Dua Lipa , Måneskin , and Fall Out Boy . From 2004 to 2014, Tranter was the lead singer of Semi Precious Weapon...
Send a text Ellen Britton is an amazing guitarist and songwriter who has toured with many huge acts and appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The View, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, and The Today Show. As a teacher, she has worked with Brandi Clark, Pam Tillis, Mickey Guyton, Carly Pearce, Little Big Town and so many more. On this episode, Ellen talks about the importance of dynamics as a performer and guitar player and shares some voices, strumming patterns and ...
Send a text Chris DuBois is a songwriter and music publisher based out of Nashville. He is co-owner of Sea Gayle Music with business partners Brad Paisley and Frank Rogers. Sea Gayle is one of the most successful independent publishing companies in all of music. In 2010 and 2011, Sea Gayle was named ASCAP Country Publisher of the Year. It was the first time since 1982 that an independent publishing company had won that award. In 2009, Sea Gayle Music launched Sea Gayle Records as an imprint of S...
Send a text Charlie Worsham won the ACM award for best acoustic guitar payer in 2022, is signed to Warner Bros. and is a master session player, multi instrumentalist, songwriter and tours with Dierks Bently. In this episode, Charlie shares his journey of moving to Nashville, getting a record deal, and being a side man for major acts. He shares the power of asking for help, and following the next thing. We dive into two of his songs off of his new EP "Sugarcane" and he shares his take on writing ...
Send a text My guest today is hit songwriter Jason Blume. He was Brittany Spear's first co-writer and has gone on to have more than 50 million album sales with singles on Billboard’s pop , country and R&B charts with songs recorded by Britney Spears, the backstreet boys, the oak ridge boys, K-pop and J-pop artists and many more. His songs have appeared on Emmy winning shows and you can hear Jason’s songs all over film and television. Jason is a writer with the heart of a teacher and I can’t ...
Send a text Multi award winning singer/songwriter Ruby Rose Fox shares her new app for musicians called Muscle music . Ruby has taught at Yale and Emerson and shares her techniques to help you understand the mechanisms that drive anxiety so you can learn to live in a dynamic body that unconsciously dysregulates for our safety and survival. Instead of pushing away anxiety we accept it, understand what its asking for, and use techniques to find connection and emotional regulation for better perfor...
Send a text Sam Robbins is an award winning singer/songwriter who recently won the Kerville Folk festival and appeared on "The Voice". Today, Sam plays three of his original songs and breaks down the process. Episode take aways: Great advice on finding your unique sounds as a singer: sing like you talk How to hit that high note: Yell the note, then blend it with your singing voice Chord voicing, Guitar tunings Chords outside the key How to make a great living as a singer/songriter https://samrob...
