12 Songwriting Tips That Changed Everything | Clay Mills & Marty Dodson

❤❤❤❤ thanks guys appreciate you!

There’s a lot to take in here. I’m gonna have to bookmark this one and pick it apart one at a time. ✌️

I watched this twice to get the tips down. I will be getting the melody book next week. So many good things in this, that i follow but you can always be better. I write everything I hear, ideas from conversations and podcasts movies whenever i hear a cool phrase im writing it down😂 i recently finished a song and had a professional musician listen to it, and he said the chorus didn’t feel developed and the lyrics never fit what the music was doing. This really bothered me and inspired me at the same time. I’ve been writing music since i was 14 at 51 i still have a long way to go. Looking forward to getting the melody book to have something to underline and make notes to get better. Great channel

I would LOVE if you did a series called "Mix review" or something similar where you take submissions and listen with live feedback... Almost like X Factor, the longer you listen before hitting the "X" the better. But if it sucks right off the bat then you give feedback and on to the next one. But if you're both digging the song you let it play longer and tell us why you liked it/what to improve etc.

This is gold, honestly

I think you fellas should do a video about popular songs that surprised you because they are unconventional and go against the common “rules” of writing.
I’m a firm believer in that “magical” part of songwriting, lyrics, and especially melody… because I’ve actually felt it. I’ve had several experiences in which it felt like I had very little to do with writing whichever song idea I was connecting to at the time. It’s a very euphoric feeling and quite addictive I must admit.
I’ve actually posted a handful of those actual “magical” moments on my channel… I’m talking THE actual recordings of the inception of some pretty cool song ideas.
A lot of the times that “magical” aspect of a song really shine through when a song becomes popular even though it doesn’t follow any of the conventional “rules.”

Another idea for a video could be talking about the difference (and difficulty) between writing in different “genres.”
While I do believe that a great song can translate to almost any “genre,” as a writer I find it fascinating how hard it is to write an R&B song for instance. I love ALL kinds of music/genres and one of my favorite writers is Babyface. I’ve listened to his music since the early 90’s and as much as I love R&B, for the life of me I cannot seem to write an R&B tune. I’ve come close a couple of times, but nothing like a good slow R&B jam.

Anyway, that’s my 2 cents when it comes to video idea suggestions.



Btw, I’m looking into joining Songtown. I’m not made of money so I’m gonna have to see if I can fit it in the budget.
If anyone reading this has had any experience with joining Songtown feel free to let me know the pros and cons, and if the juice is worth the squeeze, as they say
🙂


In the meantime, keep on rockin’ fellas.

my favorite episode yet! curious about the guitar is that a vintage Epiphone J45?

You may not get a copyright strike from Coldplay, but you may get one from Joe Satriani :)

Sing everything! I love it! I have been doing that my whole life, it is one of my strange habits that I started as a kid. My kids have teased me through the years, but singing helped me remember important things and was just fun to me. I love this advice, thank you. I like the other tips as well.

Once you eliminate the bridge you pretty much have to exaggerate some contrasts in the chorus. Hola, Jeep from Durango

I am literally working on a current song where the lyric literally exclaims, "I write songs of hope & despair" 😅😅😅
5:46 ...... I see a future copyright claim 😮

Spreading the good news Songtown through your experience and artistry ❤

I have watched a number of videos by these two. There is no formula for creative songwriting. I encourage aspiring songwriters to listen to your own inner voice and do not follow the path of "experts."

You are unique. Your unusual and experimental approach could be what will break through the monotonous crap others are writing.

Great songwriting is not a "paint-by-numbers" exercise. Laugh when others trash you and your work. You may have the last laugh when the world strongly embraces your bold creativity the "experts" were too blind to see.

I once had Kin Vassy, who played in Kenny Rogers' band, publicly trash my song played at a writers symposium in LA. The next day, an A and R guy at Arista Records told me it was one of the coolest, unique songs he had ever heard.

Can I pick one and work on it ?😂🎉❤

Brilliant tips. Thank you gentlemen 🙏🏼

Hey guys, thanks for these nuggets of wisdom. Some are new, some are reminders. Great advice here. “It’s gold Jerry!,Gold!” - Kenny Banya, Seinfeld.

Such amazing content! Can't get enough

All wonderful insights, thank you guys !

I am subscribed, I liked the video, and here is my comment!

Hearing these tips helps me to know that I am doing things the right way within my limitations. Sometimes I realize a weakness of mine, mainly theory wise, or chording, but there is always a nugget. Thank y'all for sharing these ideas with us.

Again, Love listening to your experience in songwriting. Another thing I do when I put down a melody with my guitar and I can't find what the song is going to be about, I record it and do just what you said, sing drunk, with a bunch of lyrics and let the music lead. Over and over again, then listen to it. All of a sudden I'll hear some line or lyric in it that I like and fits the music and just roll with it. Sometimes, nice surprises emerge! Cheers to the both of yutes!!!

Thanks guys! Another great video, good tips. I’m new to the channel, but been catching up with your old podcasts. I’m an old Rock n Roller getting back into the joys of songwriting for the fun aspect and try and improve. Cheers!

Thank you!

8:42 I'd have a haiku :-) Incredible insights, thank you. It's so valuable to hear you describe songwriting in the philosophical, abstract and strategic sense.

Thanks for the review! It helps to get the creative juices flowing.