One of the most frequently asked questions we get from new songwriters is, which comes first - the music or the lyrics. We discuss why listening is your friend, and fencing yourself in is the enemy of your creativity. We will also share our personal stories of how songs we wrote were born, and what inspires us now.   --- SUBSCRIBE to our Songwriting Masterclass Series and get bonus audio from this episode AND learn songwriting tips and strategies from Grammy Award Winning songwriters like Mike Reid and Gordon Kennedy!

Music or Lyrics First?

The Joy of Songwriting is a podcast by Songwriting University that helps you discover the music in you with interviews from hit songwriters and valuable wisdom from hosts and award winning songwriters Joe Beck and Billy Sprague.

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We have a really big show today. We welcome our long-time friend Brian White, who has written hundreds of songs for major artists over the years. He has found even more success in his later years, most recently with the Jason Aldean track, Blame it on You.  Brian explains how his success came from years of hard work, dedication and disciplined practice. We also discuss target writing, the importance of writing down words every day, being strategic, and finding the courage to put your work out there for people to hear.  PLUS, Hear about Billy and Joe, working in the studio with a Songwriting University student, writing and recording with the great Bruce Carroll.  --- SUBSCRIBE to our Songwriting Masterclass Series and get bonus audio from this episode AND learn songwriting tips and strategies from Grammy Award Winning songwriters like Mike Reid and Gordon Kennedy!

Let Your Songs Be Heard with Brian White

A flower, a car, a train station, an empty space... All these have been the subject of hit songs over the years. Today, we are talking about object writing, and how seemingly simple things you see every day, can conjure up certain feelings in you, and become the metaphor that drives a complex song.  PLUS, we answer a listener's question about chord selection and coloring.  --- SUBSCRIBE to our Songwriting Masterclass Series and get bonus audio from this episode AND learn songwriting tips and strategies from Grammy Award Winning songwriters like Mike Reid and Gordon Kennedy!

Object Writing

We have an incredible show today. First we answer a listener's question about turning dreams into songs. Then we are joined by the legendary Grammy-winning songwriter Mike Reid about what defines a songwriter and how consistent and relentless effort brings success. We also discuss some of Mike's songs over the years, how songwriting changes over your lifetime, our family's impact on our writing and Mike's somewhat complicated and humorous connection with George Michael.  PLUS, the producer of this podcast, Doug Branson stops by and fills us in on the amazing Masterclass series he has put together with Mike Reid, and how you can take part.   --- SUBSCRIBE to our Songwriting Masterclass Series and get bonus audio from this episode AND learn songwriting tips and strategies from Grammy Award Winning songwriters like Mike Reid and Gordon Kennedy!

Persistence in Songwriting with Mike Reid

 Great songwriting is fun and exciting but it is also discipline, dedication and hard work. No one knows that better than songwriter and performer Rebekah White Williams. She caught the songwriting bug early in life and worked tirelessly to be discovered and make a career out of making music. It wasn't always easy and choices she was faced with were often difficult. She stayed true to herself and her love of music always prevailed.  In this episode she'll share her journey of songwriting joy from playing piano tunes for Prince to writing hits for Disney.  To date Rebekah has written with many successful producers such as Clif Magness (Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson), Dapo Torimiro (Justin Bieber, David Archeleto), Jarrod Bettis (One Republic, Adele, Gavin Degraw), Bryan Todd (Ashley Tisdale, David Foster), Pete Amato (The Voice), and Ryan and Smitty (Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown). She has also found success writing with known songwriters/artists; Robbie Nevil (High School Musical), Richard Harris (Katharine McPhee), Drew Seeley (High School Musical, Another Cinderella Story), & Drew Ryniewicz (X-Factor).  Rebekah is also a co-writing staff member at Songwriting University.  --- SUBSCRIBE to our Masterclass Series and get bonus audio from this episode. Bruce describes how he brings gets music and lyrics to work together in harmony on his songs. --- Explore the power of co-writing to help you realize your music dreams. Visit songwritingu.com today and book a session with our hit songwriters.

Music or Lyrics First?

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