Jim Byrne

In this video, I introduced a technique that can lead to an inexhaustible source of new song ideas. I first heard a version of this idea from my favourite songwriting tutors Ed Bell. Ed is the author of the book, ‘The Art Of Songwriting’. 1. Type your favourite artists' name into iTunes or Spotify or whatever service you use. Take note of their most popular tune. 2. Listen to the song. 3. Search for the lyrics online, or if they aren't available, transcribe them from the song. Read and digest the song lyrics. 4. Summarise the story (or topic) of the song in a single line. 5. Change one word of your summary in a way that alters its meaning. You have anew song idea. Now write a song based on it. 🙂 For example, I'm a fan of The Secret Sisters. If I type their name into iTunes it tells me that their most popular song is called, 'Tomorrow Will Be Kinder'. I Googled for the lyrics. Here is the first verse: Tomorrow Will Be Kinder by The Secret Sisters Black clouds are behind me, I now can see ahead Often I wonder why I try hoping for an end Sorrow weighs my shoulders down And trouble haunts my mind But I know the present will not last And tomorrow will be kinder It is clear to me that the story of the song is summed up in the title itself; 'Tomorrow Will Be Kinder'. In summary - the narrator has endured, sorrow, trouble and a heavy heart - but believes tomorrow will be a kinder world to live in. In this case, I don't need to write a summary - it's already in the title. By changing one word there are a few ways I could alter the meaning: Tomorrow will be cruel. Today will be kinder. I will be kinder You will be kinder Tomorrow won't be kinder Tomorrow should be kinder Love will be kinder Choosing two of these ideas to expand upon - I can easily come up with some new ideas: Tomorrow will be cruel What story can you tell with this idea? Has this person lost a lover and now they must endure life without them? Is their heart full of hate for someone who has 'done them wrong'? Has the world become a crueller place to live in as every day passes? Today will be Kinder What story can you tell with this idea? Are you going to be kinder from now on? Has something momentous happened in your life and now you have 'seen the light'. Is the world becoming a kinder place? Have you reconnected with a friend or a lover? Any one of these angles can be the start of your nest song. It is now your song, don’t re-write the original Do not try to rewrite the original song or go through the original lyrics and alter them to fit your new story. Take this new story or topic and use it as a jumping-off point for your own song. With this one technique (thanks to Ed Bell) you will never be short of song ideas again.

You could always melodically hum over it - then work out what you did. That's something I've done often. 🙂 JIm

What did you record your songs in? Does it not have plugins you can use to compress / limit your finished song? Jim

Here's a video I made outlining 5 tips for beginner songwriters. Do you agree and what are your tips?

It's just a case of learning your DAW - these things are designed to make edits easy - as long as you know how they work. 🙂 The other thing to explore is how to quantize what you are playing. It can be done in a way that doesn't make ti sound too mechanical. From experience - the most important parts to quantise are those related to your rhythm section, i.e. bass, keyboards, drums. Thing that sit on top of that - you can get away with being more 'elastic' with your timing. Jim

Thanks, that's useful to know. 🙂 Jim

Hi John, I have get message. :-) Thanks for the long explanation. Sorry about that. All the best, Jim

Thanks John, I'll take your advice on board. All the best, Jim

Hi, I'm 58, from Glasgow, Scotland. Though I make my living running my own web design business - I also a musician, songwriter and songwriting tutor. I've been writing songs since I was a teenager and playing in bands as long. Played guitar with the Primevals (psychedelic rock band singed to French label New Rose), Dexter Slim & The Pickups, The Hemingways and the Bearpit Brothers (currently) among others. With those bands and as a solo artist I have released numerous cassettes, CD's and vinyl records. 🙂 I run an online songwriting course called Songwriting Magic which currently has over 1000 pupils. Songwriting Magic: http://tiny.cc/jd63kz Jim