Dear Songwriter...

Dear Songwriter,

I was called a fraud.

I was speaking with an aspiring songwriter back in the spring via Instagram DMs, and she DMed me the following:

"You are such a fraud LOL. A person who actually feels things can seek that out from a mile away with you. Have fun with that. Those who can't do teach."

Instead of getting mad, feeling hurt, or attacking her back, I decided to turn this into a teachable moment for ALL songwriters that are experiencing similar frustrations as her. In this episode, I’m going to sharing an open letter that I wrote to "Ashley," (the name we'll go with for now) in response to everything that went down.

If you're a songwriter feeling some of the same frustrations as Ashley, listen in on this episode to hear my response!

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Dear Songwriter,

As songwriters, we often encounter the dilemma of how to keep our verses interesting WHILE maintaining the essence of the original melodic theme. For that reason, I'll be exploring three powerful tools that can help you achieve this delicate balance and breathe life into your music!

Firstly, we'll delve into the art of rhythm manipulation, from subtly changing the rhythm to introducing syncopation to add a fresh twist to your verses.

Next, we'll discuss the power of changing the pitch by singing your later verses an octave higher, elevating your melody while keeping it connected to the core motif.

Lastly, we'll explore the concept of leaving your original melody untouched and enhancing it with harmonies during the recording process.

By the end of this episode, you'll have a toolkit of techniques to creatively evolve your melodies across different verses, allowing your songs to resonate with listeners in new and exciting ways while maintaining their authenticity.

Grab those headphone to learn how to transform your verses and keep your listeners hooked with new, but not jarring, melody choices!

Mentions and Links:
Free Video Training:  how to confidently turn your chord progressions into finished songs
Radio - Alkaline Trio
Come Together - The Beatles

Dear Songwriter,

In this week's episode, I'm digging into the notion of "achieving success as a songwriter."

...But what does success even mean?...

Whether you're pursuing songwriting professionally or as a hobby, it's common to feel a lack of confidence or success in your craft. As a fellow songwriter who has experienced these feelings firsthand, I'm here to share my insights and offer guidance. We'll explore 3 key strategies to ensure your success in songwriting. 

1. First, we'll discuss the importance of defining what success means to you personally. 
2. Second, we'll tackle the concept of committing to a long-term timeline, as success in songwriting often requires patience and persistence. 
3. And finally, we'll explore the mindset of embracing your role as a "forever-student," continuously learning and evolving in your songwriting journey.

Hit that play button to gain valuable perspective and practical advice to help you thrive as a songwriter!

Mentions and Links:
Jack Black
School of Rock
The National
Pine Grove
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How to Use Song Structure to Strengthen Your Songs: https://www.connorfrost.com/structurelanding

Dear Songwriter,

In this week's episode, I'm  breaking down the struggle many songwriters face: losing sight of the central theme and meaning of their songs. As both a songwriting student and coach, I've learned valuable strategies to keep my lyrics, as well as my students' lyrics, focused and on track.

1. Titling your song first. By choosing a title early on, you can establish a clear direction for songwriting and maintain a sense of purpose throughout the creative process.

2. Mapping out your verses. Creating a roadmap for your song allows you to structure your ideas and ensure that each verse builds upon the previous one, contributing to the overall narrative or message.

3. Decide on a character's point of view and use of pronouns. These choices shape the perspective through which your story is told, adding depth and coherence to your lyrics.

4. The power of metaphors in songwriting. Metaphors provide a creative way to convey emotions and ideas, allowing listeners to connect with your song on a deeper level.

Join me in this episode as we explore these strategies and learn how to maintain focus and clarity in our songwriting! Whether you're a seasoned songwriter or just starting out, these techniques will help you craft compelling and meaningful lyrics that resonate with your audience.

Let's get into it!

Mentions and Links:

How to Use Song Structure to Strengthen Your Songs Training
Pat Pattison
Cigarettes - Noah Gundersen
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Dear Songwriter,

I am thrilled to dig into the incredible anthem that is Lizzo's "About Damn Time" from her album "Special," released in 2022. This song is a masterclass in memorable melodies, captivating lyrics, and irresistible hooks. What's even more intriguing are the slightly unconventional decisions Lizzo made throughout the composition, proving that there are no hard and fast rules in songwriting – and even if there are, they can definitely be broken. Join me as I break down 5 valuable lessons we can learn from Lizzo's "About Damn Time", from song structure to creative use of melody.

Let's get into it!

Mentions and Links:

About Damn Time - Lizzo
Special - Lizzo
Unstoppable - Sia
Dear Songwriter: What We Can Learn about Songwriting from Sia’s “Unstoppable”
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Dear Songwriter,

In this episode, I want to offer you some tough love. If you're struggling with Writer's Block, it may not be because you lack talent or the ability to learn. The more likely suggestion is: you're giving into thoughts that could be holding you back from reaching your goal! Join me as I break down 6 common thoughts that may be keeping you stuck. I've gathered these limiting beliefs from my own experience, songwriters I've worked with, and even close friends, so there is no shame if any of these apply to you! Together, we'll explore how these thoughts can be reframed and challenge their validity.

Let's get into it!

Mentions and Links:

Mastering Melody Writing - Clay Mills and Bill O'Hanlon
Camara
William Faulkner "I only write when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes at nine every morning.”
Ed Sheeran Copyright Case
Charlie Parker
Free Video Training:  how to confidently turn your chord progressions into finished songs

Dear Songwriter! In this episode, we're analyzing Sia's empowering song "Unstoppable" from her album "This is Acting," released in 2016. This mid-tempo track showcases intriguing songwriting choices that align with contemporary pop music trends. Join me as I explore three key insights from this song, including the concept of an "elevated prechorus," the incorporation of a "postchorus," and the effective use of vivid metaphors in the chorus.

Discover how Sia's songwriting techniques contribute to the overall impact of "Unstoppable" and see if this can apply to your own musical creations!

Mentions and Links:

Sia - Unstoppable
Sia - This is Acting
Green Day - Redundant
Dear Songwriter: 3 Things We Can Learn from Green Day’s “Redundant”
Dear Songwriter: What We Can Learn about Songwriting from Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy”
Pearl Jam - Jeremy

Dear Songwriter! In this episode, we're doing a deep dive into the art of storytelling through song lyrics. Many songwriters face the challenge of finding the right story to tell, and how to bringing it to life in their music. Our guest this week is, Julie Lavery, a Nashville-based artist, who shares her expertise as a professional songwriter and Berklee College of Music graduate. With her impressive accomplishments, including song placements on Fox's TV show "Monarch" and a substantial 170k+ YouTube following, Julie guides us on how to craft impactful lyrics that tell a story.

Listen in to learn valuable tools and strategies to kickstart your songwriting journey and finally write that story you've always wanted to tell through music!

Julie is also one of our amazing team members at Connor Frost Mentoring, so if you'd like personalized songwriting help from us, don't hesitate to jump on a limited time FREE call here! https://www.connorfrost.com/call

Links and Mentions:

Pat Pattison
Songfinch
Shawn Colvin - Sunny Came Home
Pearl Jam - Jeremy
Pearl Jam - Last Kiss
Dear Songwriter: What We Can Learn about Songwriting from Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy”
Harry Chapin - Cats in the Cradle
Bob Dylan
Julielavery.com

Dear Songwriter! In this episode, we're diving headfirst into one of my all-time favorite records: Pearl Jam's "Ten"!

We're going straight to the heart of it with their hit song "Jeremy". This devastating track tells a clear, sad story that hits you right in the feels. Love it or hate it, there's so much we can learn from it. Join me as I break down three songwriting takeaways that we can gather from "Jeremy" and use as powerful tools in our own songs.

For a deep dive into the emotions, storytelling, and structure that make this song a timeless masterpiece, let's get into it!

Mentions and Links:

Pearl Jam - Jeremy
Pearl Jam - Ten
Green Day - Redundant
Dear Songwriter... 3 Things We Can Learn from Green Day’s “Redundant”
Eddie Vedder

Dear Songwriter! Today, we tackle the eternal question: should I start with lyrics in my songwriting?

Now, there may be no right way to write a song... but here's the thing—I've discovered that starting with lyrics can bring three incredible benefits to your songwriting process. And trust me, understanding these benefits will not only inspire you to give it a shot, but could also streamline your entire songwriting process. Join me as I dive deep into these benefits, share personal experiences, and provide insights that will open your mind to the power of words and intention.

Slam that play button to walk through my experience with lyrics first!

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Free Video Training:  how to confidently turn your chord progressions into finished songs