Send us a text

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Suzanne Hanser.  Founding Chair Emerita and Professor of Music Therapy at Berklee College of Music. Suzanne is President of the International Association for Music & Medicine and Past President of the World Federation for Music Therapy and the American Music Therapy Association. She teaches a course for Berklee Online, Music Therapy Techniques for Wellness:  https://online.berklee.edu/courses/music-therapy-techniques-for-wellness

You can find her blog: Music Strategies for Wellbeing on  http://www.suzannehanser.com/

And singer songwriter Heather Woods.  Heather is a music therapist that has served oncology patients for nearly 10 years. Heather is passionate about sharing the power of the arts to facilitate mindfulness, self-compassion, and joy, and offers evidence-based creative programs to encourage empowered and authentic self-care.  http://www.heatherwoodsmusic.com

• The power of vulverability
• Writing what you care about
• Holding space for other people
• Questions to ask a patient or cowriter

https://www.scarletkeys.com
https://www.instagram.com/skeys2021/
https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Engineer: Peter Sykes https://www.petersykesmusic.com

The show's theme song "What's in a Song" was co-written with Otto Gross
Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 
@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)
https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Send us a text

Jesse Ruben is a Singer songwriter and a master performer.  In this episode, he shares performance techniques, how to connect with your audience, his favorite chords and advocating for yourself and finding innovative ways to get your music out there and so much more:

• Writing songs that people reach for, that effect their lives.
• What happens when your music is in service of the world.
• Taking the path you are offered and following it.
• Writing songs  that people need
• Being a great live performer:

1. Eye contact
2. Never ever apologize
3. Never start a song over
4. Never point out a mistake
5. Practice your songs in the dark so you know them so well you can focus on the audience

• Messing up can be one of your best moments on a stage
• How harmonic rhythm and chord choices can highlight an important lyric or moment in your song
• Maj 6 chord, b7 chord and the 2 Major chord!

http://jesseruben.com

https://www.scarletkeys.com
https://www.instagram.com/skeys2021/
https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Engineer: Peter Sykes https://www.petersykesmusic.com

The show's theme song "What's in a Song" was co-written with Otto Gross
Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 
@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)
https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Send us a text

Matilda Gratte is one of my unforgettable former students from Sweden.  She tours with Zara Larson and Ed Sheeran as a back ground singer and is an emerging singer/songwriter herself.

In this episode, we talk about writing great melodies over common chords, adding tensions to those chords, touring with artists,  and being true to yourself as an artist.

She is an amazing artist.

Matilda goes by the artist name Elma: https://www.instagram.com/thisiselma/

https://www.scarletkeys.com
https://www.instagram.com/skeys2021/
https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Engineer: Peter Sykes https://www.petersykesmusic.com

The show's theme song "What's in a Song" was co-written with Otto Gross
Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 
@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)
https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Send us a text

In this episode, I talk with singer songwriter and Tisch Professor Mike Errico on:

• Writers block
• The power of “We” for songwriters and how it makes your listen feel seen
• Mission songs
• Songwriting prompts
• The importance of journaling
• Daily writing practice
• Rewriting
• Finding the sweet spot for the best key for your song
• Being yourself

Mike Errico is a New York-based recording artist, writer, and lecturing professor Mike Errico has built his name on the strength of critically acclaimed releases and extensive composition for film and TV. He teaches songwriting at universities including Yale, Wesleyan, the New School, and NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. He was nominated for 2019’s David Payne-Carter Award for Excellence in Teaching, and taught the 2022 GRAMMY® Museum’s inaugural Summer Sessions in New York City.

In addition to his performing and teaching careers, Errico’s opinions and insights have appeared in publications including The New York Times, CNN, the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and many others.

Music, Lyrics, and Life (Backbeat) is his first book.

http://errico.com

https://www.scarletkeys.com
https://www.instagram.com/skeys2021/
https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Engineer: Peter Sykes https://www.petersykesmusic.com

The show's theme song "What's in a Song" was co-written with Otto Gross
Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 
@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)
https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Send us a text

Back for more in part 2:
Ken Yates has gained a reputation as one of his country’s brightest rising singer-songwriters. The winner of two Canadian Folk Music Awards for Songwriter of the Year and New Artist of the Year.  Yates supported Passenger on their tour across North America and in Europe in 2020, and has shared stages with Ryan McMullan, Jenn Grant, and many others.He doesn’t like bar chords

In this episode, he talked shares his secret sauce open tuning that inspired several songs off of his newest record in an in-depth lesson!

https://www.scarletkeys.com
https://www.instagram.com/skeys2021/
https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

http://www.kenyates.com

Engineer: Peter Sykes https://www.petersykesmusic.com

The show's theme song "What's in a Song" was co-written with Otto Gross
Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 
@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)
https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Send us a text

On this week’s episode, I have Hughie Stonefish on the show. Hughie is a member of the comedy act Lewberger and won an Emmy for best song written with Jason Alexander from Seinfeld. Hughie talks about how he using music theory, rhyme and improv in his songwriting.

Here's the link to join my membership:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys/membership

https://www.scarletkeys.com
https://www.instagram.com/skeys2021/
https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

To find Hughie Stonefish:
http://lewbergercomedy.com
http://www.hughiestonefish.com

Engineer: Peter Sykes https://www.petersykesmusic.com

The show's theme song "What's in a Song" was co-written with Otto Gross
Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 
@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)
https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Send us a text

Ken Yates has gained a reputation as one of his country’s brightest rising singer-songwriters. The winner of two Canadian Folk Music Awards for Songwriter of the Year and New Artist of the Year.  Yates supported Passenger on their tour across North America and in Europe in 2020, and has shared stages with Ryan McMullan, Jenn Grant, and many others.He doesn’t like bar chords

• In this episode, he talked shares his secret sauce open tuning that inspired several songs off of his newest record.
• How a three chord progressions sound interesting using different chord voicings
• How a repetitive chord progression allows room for the lyric: iv V vi 
• Low Cadd9 tuning: C   GDGG   B tuned down to the G then high D string
• Writing the guitar part and chords first, living with the track for weeks then finding the lyrics in response to the feel of the chords 
• Making a big living with a small audience the in-between famous and not famous While having an emerging career
• Opening for other artists and what you can learn
• Playing Living rooms/backyards/ selling c.d.’s building you’re fanbase
• Then getting on bigger shows as supporting acts to grow your audience and bigger crowds
• Persistance and patience
• How it won’t be the one big thing that sends you over the edge, but many small things

https://www.scarletkeys.com
https://www.instagram.com/skeys2021/
https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

http://www.kenyates.com

Engineer: Peter Sykes https://www.petersykesmusic.com

The show's theme song "What's in a Song" was co-written with Otto Gross
Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 
@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)
https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Send us a text

In this episode, I talk with legendary master songwriter Hugh Prestwood about his craft and break down two of his masterpiece songs "The Song Remembers When" and "Ghost in this House".

Show highlights:

•  Writing alone and how for some writers, co-writing causes anxiety and doesn't allow you to do your best work.  He likens cowriting to a painter handing another painter their paint brush in the middle of a painting.
• How important truth is in a song and how it gives you confidence
• Sus chords and starting on the V chord
• How much people love images in lyrics
• How perfect rhyme can offer challenge when it's a boundary
• Writing simple but sophisticated melodies

https://www.scarletkeys.com

https://hughprestwood.com

Engineer: Peter Sykes https://www.petersykesmusic.com

The show's theme song "What's in a Song" was co-written with Otto Gross
Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 
@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)
https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Send us a text

Multi grammy award winning songwriter Lori McKenna. 

Lori is an American folk, Americana, and country music singer-songwriter. In 2016, she won a grammy for Best Country Song    "Girl Crush" performed by Little Big Town.  In 2017, she won a grammy for her song “Humble and Kind” recorded by Tim McGraw and most recently was nominated for a grammy for best song “Beautiful Noise” co written with Brandi Carlilie, Alicia keys, Brandy Clark, Linda Perry, Ruby Amanfu, Hailey Whitters, and Hillary Lindsey.

 Lori She has 11 solo albums as an artist, and cowritten  with other artists such as Tylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sarah Barielles, Lady Gaga and many many more.

 Lori is one of the nicest and most talented people you could want to meet and  is    a songwriter that other songwriters study to write better songs.  This conversation inspired me and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Some show highlights:

• The power of mumbling to find a lyric
• Letting the song be a cowriter
• How some times a chord will tell you what to say
• When you start overthinking-take a walk
• Using imagery in your song to tell people what the room looks like so they can put themselves in there 
• Anaphora as a lyric writing device 
• First part of the song is the most important 
• Writing on paper and the computer
• Keeping notes
• Changing the last chorus even a little bit, so the last chorus doesn’t just pass you by
• The grand finale of the last chorus, all the fireworks
• Sing the first verse and chorus to your best friend and sing the second verse and chorus to yourself 
• Last verse and chorus to your someone else 
• A song is a conversation and you don’t have to express it all to just one person, think of it as three different conversations “how to kiss a boy”

http://www.lorimckenna.com

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Engineer: Peter Sykes https://www.petersykesmusic.com

The show's theme song "What's in a Song" was co-written with Otto Gross
Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 
@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)
https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Send us a text

Wendy Moten 

Is known affectionately in various industry circles as “The Voice,” the multi-talented Memphis born performer launched her career with a self-titled  album that included the ballad “Come In Out Of The Rain,” which reached the Top 5 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and later hit the Top Ten on the UK singles chart. Wendy opened for Michael Bolton and then recorded well received albums (including one produced by Foster).
Wendy diversified and launched a new phase of her career recording guest duets with Michael McDonald (“No Love To Be Found”), Kirk Whalum (“All I Do”), Peabo Bryson (“My Gift Is You”), Larry Carlton (“I Still Believe”) and Julio Iglesias (“Just Walk Away”), the latter whom she toured with for over 15 years. 

She was most recently a finalist on The Voice on Blake Shelton’s team and on today’s show, she’s going to talk about:

On today's show, Wendy talks about what she’s learned from the masters including Michael Jordan about singing

The Dynamic arch as a singer

How she plans the architecture as a vocalist

Be a vocal techniqnition

Emotional composition as a singer

Some tips on being a professional on tour

And her favorite warm up exercises

David Santos is a world class musician, primarily known as a touring and recording bassist, but also known as a guitarist and pianist. He has toured and recorded with Billy Joel/Elton John, John Fogerty, Crosby Stills and Nash, The Neville Brothers, Tommy James  Toby Keith, Faith Hill, Tim Mcgraw and many others. David is also a respected educator and songwriter/producer. 

Today, he talks about:

Being a master musician

Continuing to study and learn and play 

The importance of learning to read music as a musician

Being true stylistically to the genre you are playing

Accessing the moment as you play

Don’t be the guy that’s happening elsewhere

Be in the moment 100% 

Handling criticism like a pro

Staying open

Being a touring working musician on the road with Billy Joel, Elton John, Melissa Etheridge and Crosby Stills and Nash

https://www.scarletkeys.com

https://wendymoten.com

https://davidsantos.com

This episode was mixed by Peter Sykes:
https://www.petersykesmusic.com

"The Craft of Songwriting: Music, Meaning and Emotion: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1638411380&sr=8-2

"What's in a Song" co-written with Otto Gross

Recorded and performed by Otto Gross: 

@OttoGrossProduction (instagram)
@OttoGrossMusic (Youtube, facebook, TikTok)

https://biglink.to/ottogrossmusic

Scarlet's website:

https://www.scarletkeys.com

Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/

To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting:

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1