What's in a Song

By Scarlet KeysMusic Music Commentary Music Interviews

What's in a Song episodes

October 27, 2022 Charlie Worsham: Writing great lyrics, playing your best guitar and being vulnerable and saying yes!!
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Charlie Worsham won the ACM award for best acoustic guitar payer in 2022, is signed to Warner Bros. and is a master session player, multi instrumentalist, songwriter and tours with Dierks Bently.

In this episode, Charlie shares his journey of moving to Nashville, getting a record deal, and being a side man for major acts. He shares the power of asking for help, and following the next thing. We dive into two of his songs off of his new EP "Sugarcane" and he shares his take on writing great lyrics and how to play your best as a guitarist.

https://www.charlieworsham.com

https://www.scarletkeys.com
https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/
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

Episode is Live
Published: Oct. 12, 2022 @ 7PM Edit
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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

1 hr 16 min
October 12, 2022Hit songwriter Jason Blume on Writing unforgettable melodies, techniques from the hits and creating your own luck
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My guest today is hit songwriter Jason Blume. He was Brittany Spear's first co-writer and has gone on to have more than 50 million album sales with singles on Billboard’s pop , country and R&B charts with songs recorded by Britney Spears, the backstreet boys, the oak ridge boys, K-pop and J-pop artists and many more. His songs have appeared on Emmy winning shows and you can hear Jason’s songs all over film and television. Jason is a writer with the heart of a teacher and I can’t wait for you to hear him talk about writing unforgettable melodies and the techniques fond in hit songs. Jason shares his story on his road to becoming a successful writer and how to create your own luck, cowriter splits, copyrighting your song and writing for a large audience, how he has only had two hit songs that weren't rewritten and so much more!

Show take aways:
The most important tool in writing a melody is repetition.
Write singable, memorable melodies
The rhythm of your melody is a power tool
Creating a surprise
Pay your dues
Make your own luck
Be flexible
Rewrite!!!!!!!!

http://www.jasonblume.com
https://www.scarletkeys.com
https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/
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
1 hr 53 min
October 06, 2022Ruby Rose Fox: Performance anxiety, how to handle it and how to connect with your audience
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Multi award winning singer/songwriter Ruby Rose Fox shares her new app for musicians called Muscle music . Ruby has taught at Yale and Emerson and shares her techniques to help you understand the mechanisms that drive anxiety so you can learn to live in a dynamic body that unconsciously dysregulates for our safety and survival. Instead of pushing away anxiety we accept it, understand what its asking for, and use techniques to find connection and emotional regulation for better performances!

Some take aways from today's episode:

How to tell which state you are in and how to regulate your feelings: Freeze or flight or fight

Fight or Flight
Notice and name your state
symptoms are:

Fidgiting
Forgetting lyrics
Face will go flat
Nothing will sound quite right due to inner ear attunement
Wanting to move
Just breathing doesn’t work because you are stewing on hormones, you can’t breathe them away
They have to be metabolized
Solutions:
planking
squats
get the energy out
Pressing against chest
pushing
plank/child’s pose/plank/child’s pose

Freeze State:

Symptoms are:
Can’t fight or flee
Imobilization
Feeling tired
Feeling out of it
Face is still flat
Disassociated
Methods to unfreezing are:

Noticing and naming your state
Including a safe co-regulator if possible.
Light shaking
Light movements (qi gong, tai chi, light yoga)
Scary movies, sad music——> any safe method to restore blood flow to the prefrontal cortex

*Once a person unfreezes, they move up the ladder and should employ the fight/flight method

*These are broad approximations and it’s important to learn polyvagal theory and practice co-regulation BEFORE attempting any of these suggestions.
https://www.muscle-music.com
https://www.rubyrosefox.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
1 hr 11 min
September 28, 2022Sam Robbins: Finding your unique sound as a singer, how to hit that high note, making a great living as a singer/songwriter
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Sam Robbins is an award winning singer/songwriter who recently won the Kerville Folk festival and appeared on "The Voice".

Today, Sam plays three of his original songs and breaks down the process.

Episode take aways:

Great advice on finding your unique sounds as a singer: sing like you talk
How to hit that high note: Yell the note, then blend it with your singing voice
Chord voicing,
Guitar tunings
Chords outside the key
How to make a great living as a singer/songriter

https://samrobbinsmusic.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
1 hr 19 min
September 22, 2022The Healing power of songwriting and the power of vulnerability with music therapists Suzanne Hanser and Heather Woods
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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
1 hr 3 min
September 15, 2022Singer Songwriter Jesse Ruben: Performance technique, his favorite chords and Creative PR
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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:
Eye contact
Never ever apologize
Never start a song over
Never point out a mistake
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
1 hr 53 min
September 07, 2022 Swedish artist Matilda Gratte (Elma) on touring with Ed Sheeran and Zara Larson, writing great songs with common chords and being true to yourself
Send us Fan Mail
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

1 hr 4 min
September 01, 2022N.Y.U. Professor and artist Mike Errico on his new book, writers block, the power of "we" in a song, being yourself and so much more
Send us Fan Mail
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
1 hr 23 min
August 24, 2022 Ken Yates Part 2: Breaking down his guitar secrets
Send us Fan Mail
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

20 min
August 17, 2022 Lewberger member and Emmy winning songwriter Hughie Stonefish on how Improv can help your songwriting
Send us Fan Mail
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

55 min

About What's in a Song

From the publisher's feed

This is a weekly podcast about the craft of songwriting hosted by Berklee College of Music Professor Scarlet Keys. She takes deep dive into the craft, technique and art of songwriting in conversations…