The suggested songwriting assignment for the next meeting, Wed., Sept 1, is to write a song that starts with the chorus. The main reason choruses have been put at the beginning of songs is to hit the listener with the hook before he or she has a chance to change the radio channel. What about […]
The group’s next assignment is based on the theme of a songwriting contest entered by member Jon Eric (trickyhipster@gmail.com). At the August meeting, introduce yourself in a song.
Write a song with no or minimal rhymes Rhyming lyrics can be important to the structural integrity of a song. When placed strategically, the rhyming words link the lyrics to the music at the points where they occur. “Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away, now it looks as though they’re here to stay, […]
Bring an original song and lyric/chord sheets, or post your song at Facebook Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle for the
Monthly Assignments for March, 2021 Write a song using no more than three chords. This will be an easy one for members whose styles fall somewhere between traditional folk and John Prine. Concerned that three chords is too limiting, that it will restrict your ability to make the song interesting? Listen to the variety in […]
Structure a song that begins with the chorus.It’s an old trick used by early country artists to push the hookiest, most memorable part of the song through the radio speakers before listeners had a chance to change the station. The strategy was adopted with much success by pop and rock artists.Why put the chorus up […]
January 2021 Assignment Write a song in a form you haven’t previously explored, or reinvent one of your existing songs in a different vibe. Call it a comfort zone, call it a style, call it a rut. It’s easy for songwriters to pigeonhole themselves as creators of a particular type of song. Is it traditional […]
Diminished chords If you think of your songs as musical paintings, diminished chords can produce the nuances between the reds and the purples, or suggest the time of day through specific shades of gray. Usually used as a step in a progression — walking up or down between chords — a diminished chord is simply […]
At the group’s next meeting Wed., Nov. 4, the songwriting assignment will be to mashup fragments of two or more of your unfinished songs — think The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” and “I’ve Got a Feeling.”
The suggested songwriting assignment is “return.” But it’s been a while since we’ve met under a roof — any original song you bring will be appreciated.
