4 simple steps to writing a song | Ralph Covert | TEDxNaperville

Is songwriting really that complicated? Children’s rock performer Ralph Covert shares 4 simple steps to being a songwriter. To show how easy it can be, he creates one live on stage with the audience’s participation.

At the heart of the success of Ralph Covert’s thirty year career as a Grammy-nominated recording artist is his songwriting. His songwriting classes for the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago were used as the model for their songwriting department. He has released over two dozen albums between his kids music project Ralph’s World and his Rock n’ Roll band The Bad Examples, and has toured the world, including prestigious venues like the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, New York’s Central Park, the Milky Way in Amsterdam, and many festivals, including Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits.

His songs have appeared in films, TV shows, like Six Feet Under, and commercials for companies like Huggies, Rice Krispies, and Sears, as well as being covered by other artists including the multi-platinum band Styx. Ralph’s World is viewed by millions on the Disney Channel.

[JonPhilspector]

Some lyrics can be ridiculous to read but if you sing the song with conviction, the song becomes cool to hear !

[pandemic]

This dude’s fearless. I truly admire his passion and sincerity.

[adjannaan]

“you’ve got a drum machine inside you, it’s called a heart”
haha bold of you to assume my heart beats a solid tempo

[HyrumLentz]

This is by far the most chaotic TED Talk I have ever watched, and I love it

[a-aronluchterhand]

This man could lead you into battle and you wouldn't know it until you conquered your fourth village while feasting on souls of the fallen. what an excellent reminder to go to back to the basics, and just have fun with it. Absolutely loved this vid.

[kurtsm]

I'm convinced that this guy is the same guy on "ain't got rhythm" from phineas and ferb

[trlittletim]

I was writing a diss track/rap battle between a muffin and a cupcake when I watched this

[IOxyrinchus]

My brain before this video: nah man, this songwriting stuff is too hard, it’s never gonna happen

My brain after watching: THE

[mainquest_official]

This guy actually inspired me to go and work on my existing song ideas that I never finish because I get stuck in the basics and always think to hard... I love this dude!

[Melvin]

As commenters noted, this video is a return to basics. It should not be taken as an instruction toward success. It should be taken as an irrefutable argument that no matter who you are, you can approach songwriting. Whether a beginner or a master, never become discouraged or doubtful; always keep it simple and positive. That’s the point of the video. It is not a nuts and bolts explanation of the songwriting craft, and that’s fine.

[a.t.a.f.s]

Music, words, rhythm, emotional centre.

[MurphyKargesBass]

Brilliant talk. He's right. Everyone can write a song. The difference is some choose to believe and love it, and those who don't choose otherwise.

[jamesmandas]

Ralph just gave everybody in the world permission to not let any restrictions block your musical creativity. Express yourself and break the rules! Thank you Sir.

[FakeFlourescentSkies]

the best songwriting advice is the simplest

[CyberJelly]

His energy and speech is so motivating, I wish school teachers would be like him!

[AirbenderB]

Music, lyrics, rhythm, emotional center.
songwriter compass.
"If you sing the song with conviction, then the song becomes cool to hear"

[noahdunston]

He’s so excited and pumped I’m getting excited and pumped

[echokammersurvivor]

Oh god, this was the video I needed my entire life. I quit so many bands because they were satisfied with the first simply solution they came up with while I was overthinking everything.

[tomschoenfeld]

This came up in my feed and I didn't even notice who the speaker was for a couple of minutes. I was just listening. I went to school with Ralph and we were in all the honors science classes together. He doesn't remember this, but he taught me my first guitar chords, so he was a teacher even back then. I'm glad he's still teaching and writing and playing. I went the other way and became a scientist.

[KatieKamala]

He brings up a valid point that we have music in our DNA but we have told ourselves we are not musical just because we are not professionals or have not focused on cultivating it. We also compare ourselves to others which is never good. We are all original creations. God Bless.