8 Songwriting Tips I Wish I Knew Sooner

8 transformational songwriting tips used by professional songwriters around the world!

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ABOUT KEPPIE

Hi I'm Keppie! I'm a professional songwriter, and songwriting teacher. I've been teaching song and lyric writing for over 10 years now for some of the best contemporary music colleges in the world— Berklee Online, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music's Open Academy, as well as for the Australian College of the Arts. At other times, I've taught for the Australian Institute of Music, as well as the LA School of Songwriting.

My goal is to help people write better songs! My experience in the classroom, with thousands of students at this point (many going on to find careers and success in music), is that your songwriting, like all things, can get better with meaningful, deliberate practice. My intention is to share the skills, knowledge, information, and ideas that I've gathered with anyone who wants to improve their songwriting.

Keppie's music is here:

#songwriting #howtowriteasong #songwritingtips #howtowritesongs #taylorswift #harrystyles

[Nick_Reinhardt]

I dare you to write something every morning and every night. Its given me much material to work with.

[laliNL]

"Don't write the music, let the music write itself"

-Michael Jackson

[kinadabambino]

Focus on the “why” in the song (the most important part). We can talk about the “what” the “who” the “where” ect, but the most important part is the why. That part alone is the most important part of a song.

[eamoncollier]

Art has no rules. But i like hearing every perspective. I appreciate this video.

[KevinTPLim]

00:56 Tip 1: Find the title at your earliest possible convenience
04:11 Tip 2: Whatever your title or hook is, repeat it at least twice inside the chorus
06:20 Tip 3: Amplify reality
07:48 Tip 4: Focus a disproportionate amount of time on the first line of your song
11:04 Tip 5: Choose the right point of view for your song
13:36 Tip 6: Save the highest note of your song for the chorus
14:52 Tip 7: Quality in songwriting is a factor of quantity
15:20 Tip 8: Do not mistake generic lyrics for universally relatable lyrics

[itchyvinyl]

K. Cobain seems to have broken the lyric rules. Although his lyrics gave the feeling of being personal, they were so cryptic that nobody REALLY know wtf he was talking about. YET they have shown to have universal appeal. 😊

[Savi-digital]

i’m a songwriter myself, i just write whatever i’m feeling in that moment and what comes to mind, but i’d have to be listening to a beat for those ideas to kick in and then i just write.

[ErJoeJehosaphatz]

Great advice. Narrow and deep. It’s too easy (for me😂) to get distracted by the second verse!

[canonball]

Wish all channels had even a quarter of the content you put across. Your enthusiasm and logic and love for your craft is inspiring lass. More power to you. Thanks.

[mgmthegrand]

I really struggle with tip 7 and here's why. It's often been said that a songwriter's songs are like his babies. Each one has a special meaning and is a labour of love to create. It's always been difficult for me to let go of a song that isn't working or that I'm stuck on. Should I stop and start a new song? Should I start from scratch with the same song? Should I leave it alone for a while and come back to it? Should I completely scrap it? Songwriting is a grueling decision making process for me because I approach every song I write wanting it to be special in it's own way and wanting it to be of a good quality.

[baynesstreetblues]

I have to say that I was blown away by the intelligence, insights and lyrical innovations advocated by Keppie. These deeply knowledgable tips are first class and the generosity in sharing them is much appreciated. I’ve always wondered what the key differences are between writing rhyming poetic couplets (which I can rattle off easily) and crafting creative lyrics. What a world of difference there is; I have much to learn, even after six decades. 🎉🎉🎉

[eddrupz]

The Beatles didn't start a song by coming up with a title first. Often times, they didn't know what the song was about while they wrote it. I think that's what you referred to as sense writing.

[jambononi]

Totally agree with the title idea first. Literally paused the video and wrote two songs quickly. Okay they're not great. But wow it's so easy to think of the next line because it's relevant.

[anthonywallace]

Thank you so much for this amazing advice and the time you put into making the video!

[barrycoulter]

Thx! I always thought that my lyrics were always judgemental and angry, i like it when u suggested to write in another point of view… i get it! Didnt think that it would change it that much, but it does! Awesome!

[michellebliman]

Awesome. Thank you so much for this valuable content, we really appreciate your work!

[trentan]

Guys this is sooo brilliant! Thank you so much for taking the time to create this.

[TimE_]

Tremendous content! I have finally found a great songwriting resource. Thank you.

[thedrammed]

Brilliant, another practical guide. Thanks. I’ve got my Chorus sorted and now getting actual progress with the opening line!

[acousticguitarcanada]

Excellent lesson, thank you. Looking forward to learning more...