Here’s another installment of our ongoing series on songwriting, this one courtesy of Ellie Mckinsey at knowyourinstrument.com.

Spice Up Your Songs With 3 Easy Formats!

You wouldn’t hire an architect to turn up without plans. As the architect of your song, the composer also needs to formulate a plan — a map to show where the piece is going and what happens when it gets there.

This is known as the structure or song form. Knowing your form allows you a foundation from which to experiment.

1. A/B Form

A/B is one of the simplest song forms, yet can be quite tricky to get right. It essentially alternates between two sections, an A and a B — such as a verse and chorus that repeat one after the other.

The key to getting the form to work is by adding enough contrast between the verse and chorus so it stays interesting. This can be done through lyrics, or adding instrumental sections and changes. You can also change your harmony or chord sequence.

2. Pop Form

Because this form is more flexible, there are lots of things you can add to make it more interesting. Generally, it would follow the pattern of verse, chorus, verse, chorus, something a little different such as a bridge, breakdown or solo, then two chorus to end.

You can always add linking sections, introductions, endings, solos, and a host of other devices into this mix. But if the form roughly fits this pattern, it should work fine.

3. Rondo Form

Rondo is a cool and interesting song form, with roots in classical music but used extensively in the cool jazz era. Though it’s fallen out of fashion in popular music, it occasionally makes a comeback.

It consists of three contrasting parts, the A, B, and C sections. A is the part that returns repeatedly, acting as a chorus. B returns once, depending on the type of rondo, so may be seen as a verse. The C section only plays once, so is more like a traditional bridge or instrumental section.

Use these 3 forms as a guide. Try adding sections, taking them away, and placing sections in the “wrong” place. You may just come up with something unique that changes the way you write forever!

And Song Registration wants to say thanks again to Ellie Mckinsey at  knowyourinstrument.com for this month’s excellent songwriting installment!

And to learn more about music copyright, please visit songregistration.com.

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✔ To register 1 to 4 songs ➜

✔ To register many songs ➜

First, some writing tips:
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➜ Focus particularly on your song’s opening lines. They’re your best chance to pull in and engage your listener.
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➜ Find other songs you like and analyze them – themes, chord progressions, how verses, choruses and bridges work together. Don’t imitate, simply master your craft!
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➜ Don’t put off your chorus for too long. Bring it in within the first 60 seconds or so.
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➜ Try this lyric-writing technique: Write “situations” in your verses and “emotions” in your chorus.
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➜ For other lyric ideas listen to conversations, monitor activities around you, take notes.
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➜ Always preserve your song copyright by registering and documenting your songs. With SongRegistration.com, it’s fast, cheap, and super-easy.
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NOW… some interesting #Prince facts…
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➜ “Prince” was not a stage name. Born “Prince Rogers Nelson” in 1958 in Minneapolis, it was a tribute to his father’s jazz combo, The Prince Rogers Band.
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➜ Called “Skipper” as a kid, Prince wrote his first song at 7, formed his first band at 13, and appeared on American Bandstand in 1980 when he was 19.
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➜ He wrote songs for many other artists, including Chaka Khan (I Feel For You), the Bangles (Manic Monday), and Sinéad O’Connor (Nothing Compares 2 U). And because of strong religious beliefs (Jehovah’s Witness), he didn’t use swear words in his songs.
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➜ His first album debuted in 1978 when he was 20, though he hit super-star status 6 years later in 1984 when his film “Purple Rain” and song “When Doves Cry” topped all 3 charts (singles, albums, movies).
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➜ He originally asked Stevie Nicks to write the lyrics for Purple Rain. But after listening to the 10-minute music track, she felt overwhelmed and told him it was too much. So he did it himself.
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➜ At just 5’3” and 120’ish pounds, he was indeed larger than life – writing more songs than the Beatles (600+ tracks including his back catalogue) and selling 100 million records worldwide.
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✔ To register 1 to 4 songs ➜ https://bit.ly/2HvAZqV

✔ To register many songs ➜ https://bit.ly/2HYNAGy
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*** For more writing tips & musician facts ➜ https://bit.ly/2Kiiecs

First, some tips:
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➜ During songwriting sessions, plan ahead to avoid people, places, or things that you KNOW take you off-point (and vice versa, put yourself in proven environments that inspire you).
.
➜ If collaborating, decide songwriting credits right away (splitting potential revenues, etc.) to avoid future disputes (read https://goo.gl/jNbfIA).
.
➜ Figure out when you’re most productive (start a daily activity diary to find that out), then schedule your sessions during those times without phone, computer, or other distracters.
.
➜ Always keep rhythm in mind, eliminating clunky un-singable words, phrases or lines.
.
➜ Before recording, practice your songs at tempo. Otherwise, you risk a “stammering” quality.
.
➜ Always preserve your music copyright by professionally registering your songs. With SongRegistration.com, it’s fast, cheap, and super-easy.
.
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NOW… some #Johnny_Cash factoids…
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➜ Here’s a twist: “Cash” is real (it’s Scottish), but “Johnny” isn’t! Born J.R. (initials were common in the South), he needed a real first name for the Air Force so made up “John R. Cash.”
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➜ Born in 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas (1 of 7 children), at 22 he moved to Memphis, sold appliances, studied radio announcing at night, and played guitar whenever he could.
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➜ At Sun Records (where Elvis started), after a couple of non-hit singles, he recorded Folsom Prison Blues, then I Walk The Line (both in 1957 at age 25), and the rest is history.
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➜ Despite the rumors, he never served prison time (just some single-night jail stints), though he performed many prison concerts (with 2 live albums from Folsom and San Quentin).
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➜ His “dark” side likely came from the death of his 14-yr-old brother in a horrible industrial-saw accident. Johnny was 12 and never got over the guilt for not convincing Jack to go fishing with him that day instead.
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➜ Although remembered mostly for country music, he was inducted into 3 Halls of Fame for different genres — Country, Rock and Roll, and Gospel — selling more than 90 million albums over 50 years.
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✔ To register 1 to 4 songs ➜ goo.gl/OXSI3v

✔ To register unlimited songs ➜ goo.gl/2XOMZ4
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First, some tips:
.
➜ Focus particularly on the opening lines of your song. They are, by far, your best chance for pulling in your listener and creating an immediate engagement.
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➜ If you have a chord sequence for part of your song, but struggle where to go next, try reversing the chord order and using that for the new part.
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➜ Many musicians double vocal lines and shift pitches to achieve richer #vocals for their #songs.
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➜ Create vivid metaphors and use strong similes to embellish your song’s narrative. This tells the story more effectively, while creating memorable imagery for your listener.
.
➜ Analyze your metering, sussing out syllables and their lengths. Often, a lyrical hook will pop out at you.
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➜ Always preserve your song copyrights by professionally registering your songs. With SongRegistration.com, it’s fast, cheap, and super-easy.
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NOW… as the first musician ever awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, it’s only fitting to share a few #Bob_Dylan facts…
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➜ Born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24, 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota, his first pro recording was as a harmonica player for Harry Belafonte (on the 1962 Midnight Special album).
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➜ He signed with Columbia at age 20, but was technically a minor back then. Not wanting his parents involved, he claimed to be an orphan.
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➜ He appeared with Joni Mitchell on the first episode of The Johnny Cash Show (his lifelong buddy). And when Elvis died, he reportedly didn’t speak to anyone for a week.
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➜ Interestingly, we could find only one song from his vast catalog to ever top the charts: Mr. Tambourine Man, covered by The Byrds. Though plenty of #2’s, including: “Like a Rolling Stone,” “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” (AKA “Everybody Must Get Stoned” – recorded in one take), and “Blowin’ in the Wind” covered by Peter, Paul and Mary.
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➜ Speaking of covers, it’d be difficult naming an artist more covered – from Joan Baez, Adele, Willie Nelson and David Bowie, to the Animals, Bad Religion, The Band, The Beatles, Springsteen and Jason Mraz (to name just a tiny fraction).
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➜ Rolling Stone Magazine (which took its name from his song) named “Like a Rolling Stone” the greatest song of all time.
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✔ To register 1 to 4 songs ➜ goo.gl/OXSI3v

✔ To register unlimited songs ➜ goo.gl/2XOMZ4
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*** For more writing tips & musician facts ➜ https://goo.gl/M9rfXZ

First, some tips:
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➜ Never wait when something pops into your head! Whether phrase, hook, or partial melody, WRITE OR RECORD IT IMMEDIATELY. Use your phone. You’ll be glad you did.
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➜ Writers Block helper: Start with a story! Jot down a simple storyline that conveys a message. Besides triggering new ideas, it should help connect your song with listeners.
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➜ We’ll say it again: Collaborate! Not always, but if done sparingly it can move you in new directions and spark fresh inspiration.
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➜ Listen to music you like. Obvious? Yes. But you’d be surprised what may flash through your mind afterward.
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➜ Always preserve your song copyrights by professionally registering your songs. With SongRegistration.com, it’s fast, cheap, and super-easy.
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Now, some #Tom_Petty stuff –
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➜ Thomas Earl Petty became hooked on music when he was 10 and met Elvis. In 1975, he moved from his birth state (Florida) to L.A. where he formed Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
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➜ He’s got 2 grown daughters, lives in Malibu, and is the animated voice of Luanne’s husband, Lucky, in the TV show “King of the Hill.”
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➜ After Petty decided a tune from Heartbreaker guitarist Mike Campbell wasn’t his style, it was offered to Don Henley who, thinking it showed potential, added some lyrics and love, and named it “Boys of Summer,” a giant Eagles’ hit.
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➜ But not to worry. T.P. and the Heartbreakers have sold more than 80 million records, ranking them one of the world’s best-selling bands of all time.
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➜ So which of his countless hits have crushed it? His 3 biggest (in order): 1- Stop Dragging My Heart Around (w/ Stevie Nicks), 2- Free Falling, 3- Don’t Do Me Like That.
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➜ In 2002, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (along with his Mad Hatter hat).
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✔ To register 1 to 4 songs ➜ goo.gl/OXSI3v

✔ To register unlimited songs ➜ goo.gl/2XOMZ4
.
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*** For more writing tips & musician facts ➜ https://goo.gl/M9rfXZ

First, the tips:
.
➜ Don’t put off your chorus for too long. Bring it in within the first 60 seconds or so.
.
➜ A tried-and-true lyric method: Write “situations” in your versus, “emotions” in your chorus.
.
➜ Music Block? Try coming up with a good hook to get things started. Next work on melody before chords.
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➜ Find other songs you like and analyze them – their themes, chord progressions, how the verses, choruses and bridges are set out. It’s not imitation, it’s mastering your craft!
.
➜ Always preserve your music copyright by professionally registering your songs. With SongRegistration.com, it’s fast, cheap, and super-easy.
.
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Now, some #Neil_Young –
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➜ Believe it or not, only one song from his huge catalog has ever topped the charts (in both the US and Canada) – “Heart of Gold” in 1971.
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➜ He lives on his ranch in La Honda, California (in the Santa Cruz Mountains), with other homes in Florida and Hawaii, and has never renounced his Canadian citizenship.
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➜ He’s been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice – with #Buffalo_Springfield and again as a solo artist.
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➜ He says he’ll never play as part of “Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young” again. Nothing against Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, both with whom he loves playing. He’s just not a big fan of the other one (David Crosby).
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➜ One reason he’s drifted from loud Crazy Horse music to softer acoustics (at least sometimes) is the tinnitus (ringing in the ears) he developed in the 90’s.
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➜ An avid model train collector, when he heard that Lionel was close to bankruptcy he helped bail them out. Today they’re still in business, thanks partly to his generosity.
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✔ To register 1 to 4 songs ➜ goo.gl/OXSI3v

✔ To register unlimited songs ➜ goo.gl/2XOMZ4
.

But first, some tips:
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➜ When collaborating with others, decide songwriting credits right away (splitting potential revenues, etc.) to avoid future disputes (read https://goo.gl/jNbfIA).
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➜ A few quick ways to jump-start your songwriting: Melody-based (humming a catchy hook or strumming a nice chord progression? Try expanding it!); Title-based (create a cool title and see where that takes you); Experience-based (think auto-biographical).
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➜ Before recording, practice your songs at tempo. Otherwise, you risk a “stammering” quality.
.
➜ For other lyric ideas listen to conversations, monitor activities around you, take notes.
.
➜ Always document your song copyright by professionally registering your songs. With SongRegistration.com, it’s fast, cheap, and super-easy.
.
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Now, some stuff about another music icon, #Eric_Patrick_Clapton —
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➜ The only person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall and Fame 3 times — with The Yardbirds, then Cream, and finally as a solo artist.
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➜ If the key to eternal youth is constant reinvention, #Clapton may be king — Compare: Rock Layla to Unplugged Layla, #Cream to #Bluesbreakers, master guitarist to ballad composer. (Of course it never hurts to also be blessed with that Magical Music Trifecta every producer is searching for: Smooth Voice, Songwriting Savvy, Guitar Chops.)
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➜ A man of many faces: His first band (1963), The Roosters; then Casey Jones and the Engineers; The #Yardbirds; John Mayall’s #Bluesbreakers; #Cream; Delaney & Bonnie & Friends; #Blind_Faith; Derek & The Dominos; Legends.
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➜ Though he won’t, if he quit now he could easily live large off just a fraction of what his chart-hit royalties earn (#I_Shot_The_Sheriff, #Tears_In_Heaven, #Lay_Down_Sally, #Change_The_World, #Layla, #Wonderful_Tonight, #After_Midnight… we’ll randomly stop there…).
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And thanks, Eric, for a lifetime of epic music!
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✔ To register 1 to 4 songs ➜ goo.gl/OXSI3v

✔ To register unlimited songs ➜ goo.gl/2XOMZ4
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First, some tips…
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1. For richer ‪#‎vocals‬, try doubling some of your vocal lines and shifting pitches.
.
2. Create vivid metaphors and use strong similes to embellish your song’s narrative. Not only to tell the story more effectively, but to create memorable imagery for your listener.
.
3. Even if working with others isn’t your thing, step outside your comfort zone and give it a try. Collaboration opens horizons and will help introduce fresh ideas into your songwriting process.
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4. Staring at an empty sheet? Engage with other modes of music or literature and the ideas are almost guaranteed to flow. Do this consistently, and the pages may write themselves.
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5. Always preserve your music copyright by professionally registering your songs. With SongRegistration.com, it’s fast, cheap, and super-easy (and used by ‪#‎composers‬ worldwide).
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Now, about ‪#‎Freddie‬…
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1. Born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar (a tiny island group off the coast of East Africa), he officially became ‪#‎Freddie_Mercury‬ in 1970 when ‪#‎Queen‬ was formed.
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2. While his same-sex affairs were well-known, he actually left most of his estate to ex-girlfriend and “only true friend,” Mary Austin.
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3. Though many would disagree, he swore ‪#‎Bohemian_Rhapsody‬ was nothing more than “rhyming nonsense.” He wrote much of Crazy Little Thing Called Love in the bathtub — was an avid stamp collector (as was John Lennon) — and loved cats (at one time owning ten).
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4. While researching his operatic vocal chops, we came across this nifty program that showcases the extraordinary octave-ranges of many famous singers, including Freddie’s: http://goo.gl/jyRJxt
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5. But beyond the killer voice and iconic stage presence was his songwriting. In an industry filled with repetition and banality, he easily shifted — even combined — genres (opera, rock, metal, rockabilly, gospel, ballad…) and turned complex song structures into poetic (and commercial) treasures.
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6. His first and only formal acknowledgement that he had AIDS came, sadly, the day before he died in 1991. He was 45. RIP, Freddie. There will never be another. You are the champion, my friend…
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✔ To register 1 to 4 songs ➜ goo.gl/OXSI3v

✔ To register unlimited songs ➜ goo.gl/2XOMZ4
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.

First, some tips…
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1. Looking for authenticity? Try writing auto-biographically.
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2. When collaborating with others, decide songwriting credits right away (how to split potential revenues) to avoid future disputes (read https://goo.gl/8SQw2d).
.
3. Focus particularly on your song’s opening lines. They’re your best chance to pull in and engage your listener.
.
4. Always keep rhythm in mind, eliminate clunky un-singable words, phrases or lines.
.
5. Make sure you preserve your song copyrights by professional registration. With SongRegistration.com, it’s fast, cheap, and super-easy (and used by ‪#‎composers‬ worldwide).
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Now, some facts about one of the greatest collaborations ever: The ‪#‎Lennon_McCartney‬ Catalog – Who owns them, Who wrote them…
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1. Northern Songs LTD (formed by ‪#‎John_Lennon‬, ‪#‎Paul_McCartney‬, their manager, and a music producer) briefly published Lennon-McCartney songs until it was partly sold in 1969 to Associated Television (ATV) – which was eventually bought by Michael Jackson in 1985 (who asked McCartney and ‪#‎Yoko_Ono‬ if they’d like to join in – they never did).
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2. After Jackson’s death, ATV merged with Sony (which will buy out Jackson’s 50% interest later this year). Sony/ATV now owns the world’s largest music catalog – holding more than 2 million copyrights, including Lennon/McCartney, ‪#‎Michael_Jackson‬, ‪#‎Bob_Dylan‬, ‪#‎Neil_Diamond‬, ‪#‎Taylor_Swift‬, the ‪#‎Jonas_Brothers‬ – and grossing 1-2 billion dollars in annual royalties.
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3. Many (if not most) of those “Lennon-McCartney” classics were actually written by just ONE of them. They simply agreed early on to label them all jointly, even when only one wrote the whole song (unlike most songwriting partnerships, they each wrote both lyrics and music). A few examples:
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Written totally by Lennon (words and music) – Hard Days Night; Nowhere Man; I Am The Walrus.
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Composed solely by McCartney – Yesterday (the most covered song in history); Here, There and Everywhere (one of John’s all-time favorites); and Sgt. Pepper’s.
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✔ To register 1 to 4 songs ➜ goo.gl/OXSI3v

✔ To register unlimited songs ➜ goo.gl/2XOMZ4
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First, back by popular demand… ways to help you through Writers Block:
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1. Figure out when you’re most productive (start an activity diary to find that out), then schedule your sessions during those times without phone, computer, or other distracters.
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2. Set realistic, immediate goals during each writing session.
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3. Though it seems obvious, plan ahead to avoid people, places, or things that you KNOW take you off-point (and vice versa, put yourself around environments proven to inspire you).
.
4. Recognize that staying focused is not easy; but important accomplishments rarely are. Stick with it, the sacrifice is worth it!
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5. Always preserve your music copyright by professionally registering your songs. With SongRegistration.com, it’s fast, cheap, and super-easy (and used by #composers worldwide).
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And now, a few nice tidbits about David and Glenn –
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David Bowie:
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1. Beyond cool, he turned down knighthood TWICE (in 2000 and 2003). “It’s not what I spent my life working for.”
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2. He changed his name (from David Jones) to avoid confusion with the late-60’s Monkees’ star (Davy Jones).
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3. His hit “Fame” was co-written with John Lennon (who sang in the background).
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Glenn Frey:
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1. He not only wrote the theme for the hit show Miami Vice, he also played a Vietnam vet/pilot flying a DEA mission in one episode.
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2. He and Don Henley first started playing together as the backup band for Linda Ronstadt.
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3. In the first week he and Don began writing as a team, they penned Desperado and Tequila Sunrise. Not a bad start. Glenn also wrote those ever-haunting Hotel California lyrics (one of the most-played, and royalty-earning, songs on the planet).
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✔ To register 1 to 4 songs ➜ goo.gl/OXSI3v

✔ To register unlimited songs ➜ goo.gl/2XOMZ4
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1. Imagery and context are usually better for communicating an emotion than simply stating it.
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2. Many think outros are easy because you can just repeat the chorus and fade. Instead, make the last lines epic by throwing a curveball to the listener.
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3. “Catchiness” is much more than just music and melody; Just as often it’s about rhythm and rhyming.
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4. Clarity is key. Your listeners may miss a word, or line, or three. So don’t rely on one small phrasing to put an entire song in context.
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5. How to copyright a song? Always preserve your music copyright by professionally registering your songs. With SongRegistration.com, it’s fast, cheap, and super-easy (and used by composers worldwide).
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Time for a little Keith Richards –
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1. Sympathy for the Devil, Paint It Black, Wild Horses, Gimme Shelter, Satisfaction… His massive publishing catalogue (with partner Jagger) goes on and on – earning enough royalties to easily support an army of composers over several thousand lifetimes (not to mention the joint band compositions he co-wrote as “Nanker/Phelge”).
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2. His original inspiration growing up in England: 1950’s American music. Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, other blues and country singers. And of course Elvis.
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3. There are NO electric guitars in Street Fighting Man. That electrified sound is Keith overloading his acoustic into the cheap cassette recorder he always had with him. Then duplicating and reverbing it over and over.
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4. He considers himself a better bassist than guitar player.
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5. “Sympathy” was originally written to be a much slower “lament.” But on recording day he and the boys started playing with it and the rest is history. It quickly evolved into its now-famous up-tempo beat, becoming one of the most instantly-recognizable songs in the universe.
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✔ To register 1 to 4 songs ➜ goo.gl/OXSI3v

✔ To register unlimited songs ➜ goo.gl/2XOMZ4
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1. Focus particularly on your song’s opening lines. They’re your best chance to pull in and engage your listener.
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2. Experiment with doubling vocal lines and shifting pitches. (And since most shifts involve a higher key, try a lower one for a different mood transition).
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3. Analyze your melody’s metering, sussing out syllables and their lengths. It not only tightens things up, it may also lead to a lyrical hook popping out at you.
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4. And of course to establish copyright for a song, always document your music copyright by professionally registering your songs. With SongRegistration.com, it’s fast, cheap, and super-easy (and used by composers in 55 countries).
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A Few More Fun Music Facts:
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1. Clarence “Leo” Fender, founder of Fender Electric and inventor of the Stratocaster and Telecaster, never played guitar.
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2. A Strat is carved into Jimi Hendrix’s tombstone in Renton WA (see photo), though it’s not like Jimi’s. He played his upside-down because he was left-handed (which his father thought was a sign of Satan). In fact, Fender just launched a new Hendrix model — a “flipped-over” Strat for right-handers, with everything reversed — strings, pickups, headstock, bridge (http://www.fender.com/alter-your-axis) — hoping to re-create that distinctive Hendrix sound (good luck with that)…
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✔ To register 1 to 4 songs ➜ goo.gl/OXSI3v

✔ To register unlimited songs ➜ goo.gl/2XOMZ4
.

Since our most popular posts are about ‪#‎song‬ inspiration and technical tips, here’s a nice mix of both:

1. Focus particularly on the opening lines of your song. They are, by far, your best chance for pulling your listener into the song and creating an immediate engagement with them.

2. Many musicians double vocal lines and shift pitches when recording to achieve richer ‪#‎vocals‬ for their ‪#‎songs‬.

3. Create vivid metaphors and use strong similes to embellish your song’s narrative. Not only does this assist in telling the story more effectively, but it creates memorable imagery for your listener.

4. Try analyzing the metering of your melody, sussing out the syllables and how long they need to be. Many times, a lyrical hook will pop out of the blue for you.
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✔ Always register songs! ➜ SongRegistration.com reviews

✔ Have LOTS of #songs to register? ➜ goo.gl/2XOMZ4

✔ Print the ‪#‎Songwriter‬ ‘s To-Do List ➜ goo.gl/ocXIT9

And Helpful Hints to Avoid Them:

(1) Figure out when you’re most productive (start an activity diary to find that out), then schedule your sessions during those times without phone, computer, or other distracters.

(2) Set realistic, immediate goals during each writing session.

(3) Though seemingly obvious, plan ahead to avoid people, places, or things that you KNOW take you off-point (and vice versa, put yourself around environments proven to inspire you).

(4) Recognize that staying focused is not easy; but important accomplishments rarely are. Stick with it, the sacrifice is worth it!

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Register your songs here