Common Chord Progressions
SongChops
by admin
2d ago
A progression is basically the chord series or the chords you choose to use and their order. If you’re just starting out, using some common chord progressions as your starting point can help get you past the blank page. Here’s a trick to keep up your sleeve for when you start getting into theory a bit more.  All major scales follow the same pattern:  W-W-H-W-W-W-H where “W” is “Whole note” and “H” is a “Half note” – or “W2HW3H” as I like to remember it!  And, to make sure you always have plenty of chords handy, use this free chord grid: Guitar Keys And Chords Cheat Sheet EZ ..read more
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Nashville Number System
SongChops
by admin
2d ago
If you’ve recorded in Nashville, you’ve run into the Nashville Number System. While I could explain it here, there are quite a few resources that can do it much better. So instead, I’ve gathered up some online tools, books and videos to help you understand how the Nashville Number System works. So what is it? Basically, it’s the numbers that correspond to where the chords sit in the key you’re in. It’s a way to quickly state a key, and then which chords you should be playing with a few letters and numbers. Sort of a universal language across all instruments for what everyone should be pla ..read more
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Create A New Song: Put A Twist On Cliche Phrases
SongChops
by shibes
2d ago
Cliche phrases can be a great song prompt starter. Whether you’re using in a song, or as your hook line, they can help you create interesting new songs that challenge you to come up with new song ideas. The trick is to give it a twist by changing a word, using it in a way in a line, or taking a new perspective on the cliche by framing it in a unique way. We’ll give you a list of cliches so you can write a song today (or at least get an idea in your notebook), and give you examples of cliches done well. What’s A Cliche? According to Dictionary.com, a cliche is a trite, stereotyped expression; a ..read more
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What Is A Song Prompt?
SongChops
by shibes
2d ago
A song prompt is a starter. It’s a way to get to a song by assigning yourself a specific focus. The benefit of a prompt is that you’ve got a way to keep writing songs even when you may not feel particularly inspired. That way, when inspiration does hit, you’ve practiced so many times you’ve got the tools to make your inspired idea shine! They also keep you from writing the same old song ideas: love, loss, regret, happy beer mug raisers, etc.  They get you onto a different path every now and again. Who knows, something surprising may happen! As an example, Nanci Griffith’s “Love At Th ..read more
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Song Prompt: Eleven More Things
SongChops
by shibes
2d ago
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes What’s better than a song prompts list of “more things” to get your brain working and go somewhere you didn’t imagine? These prompts can help generate some song or poem starters you can relate to quickly and easily.  You’ll spend less time trying to manufacture a scene, characters or circumstances, and get right into the writing! Best for: writing lyrics development. Tips To Get You Started: Start by free styling to get some thoughts down Don’t worry about a song structure or rhyme Write down whatever pops into your head associated with the pr ..read more
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Song Prompt: Eleven Things
SongChops
by shibes
2d ago
This “Eleven Things” song prompt focuses on selecting from a variety of items to provide you with a large, outside-the-box array of objects to spur your imagination. It’s a great way to start getting your brain working not only for songs, but poems as well. By using items most of us can relate to quickly and easily, you will spend less time trying to manufacture a scene, characters or circumstances. Best for: writing lyrics development. As a twist on the prompt, you can write a poem using one of the prompts and then convert the poem to a song! Tips To Get You Started: Start by free sty ..read more
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Song Prompt:  Use a Book as a Starter
SongChops
by admin
4d ago
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes Write a Song About Some Aspect of a Book It can be: The dedication of a book A single chapter in a book The whole book as a sequence, e.g., chapter 1, chapter 2 A page or a component like the cover, a paragraph or a sentence A genre or type of book, e.g., the good book, a comic book, a notebook, a scrap book A character in a book and developing a larger story Questions To Ask Yourself Who is the main character what’s their connection to “the book”? What is the drama associated with the “book” – i.e., the tension? Why is the book so important anyway? Does th ..read more
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Rhyme Pattern Proxy
SongChops
by admin
4d ago
This one is great to use if you’re stuck on a song and works pretty quickly. The goal is to force you to find new words or ways to phrase what you’re trying to say. Have your rhyming dictionary ready! Pick a song you like Identify the rhyme pattern for each of its parts Now take a song you’ve been working on (in progress) and use the new rhyme pattern Change rhyme pattern as needed and the song dictates The post Rhyme Pattern Proxy appeared first on Song Chops ..read more
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Create Your Own Rules
SongChops
by admin
4d ago
Create your own rules to govern how you’ll write the song. You can create rules that defy conventional rules, or just put a twist on a direction you would normally follow. Then, write within your rules. And – this is a great method down the road. If you ever get stuck, and need a prompt or some general inspiration, the rules give you a construct. This exercise also allows you to experiment with new ideas, or incorporate ideas from songs you admire. Be bold! Put some things out there that challenge conventional thinking. And, challenges your normal patterns. So, if you know you normally go with ..read more
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Songwriting Exercise: Write For An Artist
SongChops
by admin
4d ago
This songwriting exercise focuses on writing for an artist. You’ll work through some simple steps to: (1) find an artist that works with your style of writing, and (2) write a song for that artist targeting the concept and lyrics as much as possible. The intention here is to embrace the challenge of trying to write for someone else. You’ll find new ways of approaching a song, and start developing an ear for what sets an artist apart from others. There’s also the additional challenge of writing for an artist that doesn’t fit your style! Pick An Artist You’ll need to be able to write in a style ..read more
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