After the Song Works

Now that you have a great song, what's next? That depends on who you are and why you write songs. First, take a deep breath and congratulate yourself. You did the work. You finished a song.

Now, ask yourself a few questions. What are your goals? Are you performing it live? Do you want to record it? Who's going to sing it - you or someone else? Should you make a demo? How's your playing and singing? Wanna get better? How about getting that song to an artist who might want to put it on their next recording project? Is there a cause that you believe in that could use a theme song?

Whether you're a "do it for the fun of it" writer, a performing singer-songwriter, or interested in getting your songs in film and tv, these videos will help you show off your song at its very best, and provide insight on how to take things to the next level.
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After the Song Works

Video Lectures

Music Theory

Creating Progressions For Your Songs
0:17:22
Thinking in forms can be pretty helpful when trying to understand chord progressions.
Chord Function and Substitution
0:24:13
Making sense of chord structure.
Intro to Transposition: Easier Progressions
0:15:10
Transposition is a big-time help for songwriters.
More Transposition: Harder Progressions
0:22:56
Some more transposition practice...

Recording and Producing

Choosing Mics for Singers
0:16:43
How to select the right mic for the singer's voice.
Knowing the Differences Between Mics
0:23:06
Find out what the basic types of mics are and what they're most often used for.

Guitar

Creating Yumminess With the Short Cut Capo
0:10:48
The Short-Cut Capo opens a whole new universe.
Drop D Tuning
0:09:48
Build a solid foundation for your song to walk on.
Integrated Pick-Strumming for Guitarists
0:10:57
Integrated right-hand technique is a good thing.
More Yumminess With the Short Cut Capo
0:09:37
With the short cut capo, the universe expands.

About Being a Musician...

How To Get Songs Heard
0:14:59
There are traditional and not so traditional ways to get your songs heard. Listen as Steve Seskin highlights some of his experiences on this topic.
Navigating Nashville
0:07:29
So you want to move to Nashville? Here are a few tips you might like to take with you.
Pop vs. Country
0:19:22
Listen to Bonnie and Steve talk about the main differences they see between pop and country and things to consider if you would like to get a song cut by either a country or a pop artist.

The Music Business

How to put Songs to Good Use Besides the Hit Parade
0:09:00
You might be surprised when you realize how many ways other than the "hit parade" you can find for putting your songs to great use.
Quick Tips
The Order of Things
0:01:54
What should come first in a song? What is the order of things?
The Chorus
0:02:17
What is the role of a chorus in a song?
Focus
0:01:46
If we try to do everything in one song, we will most likely fail to effectively do anything.
Changing Motifs in Verses
0:05:33
Before you write your 2nd verse, check what you wrote in your 1st verse.
Preachiness Part 1
0:07:32
Sometimes it's tempting to want to preach in songs, but honestly, no one wants to hear it.
Preachiness Part 2
0:04:13
Find who you do have the right to say it to without coming off as "preachy." Make your listener an eavesdropper!

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