5 Easy But Powerful Songwriting Tricks!
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- Опубликовано: 13 июл 2024
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If you're new here, my name is Andrew Huang and I'm a musician who works with many genres and many instruments - and I've also made music with many things that aren't instruments like balloons, pants, water, and dentist equipment. For more info visit my website: andrewhuang.com
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One thing I came across in my songwriting journey that changed my approach forever is define the spirit of the song. What I mean is find a message/feeling that the song is trying to convey (heartbreak, lust, partying at 4am, etc) and use that the drive all your musical decisions. I find when I try to use music to describe a feeling everything ends up falling into place much more smoothly. Then all I have to do is ask myself "how do I bring the spirit of the song to life?". Great video as usual Andrew, I will keep these tips in my back pocket!
That's really helpful of you to explain. I've heard that said before but it's important to me to try and get as close to an aesthetic as I possibly can.
@@icantthinkofanything798 That's right, too often we get stuck in the technical aspects of music and forget that the whole point is to get the listener to feel something. At the end of the day that's all that matters, and it's a good way to move forward when you get stuck on a song.
This cannot be understated. I especially find this idea useful when writing guitar solos - there are so many things you could play and many guitarists will just shred all the way, but when you know what you want to say you'll probably write something more original and fitting to the song.
That is really great. Intentions stay true to the heart and and mind of the song beast😅
This helped me a lot.Thank you!
I always find it helpful to not over think things when you’re first starting a song. Think of it as a first draft that you can always change later. But it’s easier to get some down and tweak later than trying to come up with the perfect part at the get go
I really feel that, I haven't ever personally made a song, but I have been trying to and I get so caught up in the details at the start that I burnout, definitely gonna try this. Thank you
so much agreed. I find that making something I know is bad, then making something that harmonizes with it, and then *tossing the first thing and improvising something new to harmonize with it*, can be really cool for building up the initial structure.
Alton Wright keep going. It’s really rewarding even if you’re not loving what you’re making. It’s taken me years to get comfortable writing lyrics especially. Also a little music theory can go a lonnnng way
Lauren yeah that sounds like an interesting way of writing
when writing, I deliberate put a place I like to call the "brain dump" where I put any thoughts and garbage that could MAYBE be a part of the song later.
I like how you take your time to demonstrate us everything with examples! Makes it way easier to understand! Thumbs up! Super fan. Of you
:)
damn, i wish i could hang out with him someday.
Daniela Yabut got $279? Join the class!
Daniel Torres 👍🏼👍🏼
Plus he gets to flex his songs at the same time 🤷🏻♂️🔥
It always makes me feel so smart when you bring up a "songwriting trick" that I've just instinctually used without thinking about it before.
Big brain.
This! I Literally used the last one of the most recent song I wrote
Sam that’s nuts 🔥 hopefully I’ll be able to listen to your work
This video made me feel pretty good about the last song I finished. I used all five tricks (at least somewhat) without even really thinking about it.
1. Change the established chord - the final loop did this, though only a different mode
2. Make them wait - was the primary trick I used between parts
3. Subtract for impact - was used inside every verse, and also each verse toned down the intensity overall
4. Dip at the start of verse 2 - for me it was verses 3 and 4 which did this, but close enough
5. Shorten verse 2 - again, it was verses 3 and 4, but still
It was literally the first time I've seriously attempted a song in a DAW instead of using dawless hardware methods, so I tried to make it simple... just a four-chord song with no plan in mind, merely jamming and then arranging some of the better parts into a song. But it went well, and it's helpful to see Andrew clearly articulate *why* it went well.
I'm teaching a songwriting class tomorrow and seeing the same points im going to touch on in this video kind of eases the anxiety. Maybe I do know what I'm talking about haha
Yah! Teach em good!!
1.99 Million! We are almost there!
Yesssir
Hi Andrew! I've never noticed the quieter start to the second verse, but I just listened to a bunch of other songs and that's SO COOL!!! I'll definitely be taking your class next month!!! Keep up the AMAZING work!
It's very overdone, though (that's why people call it the Eurovision modulation or the Disney modulation). It can be done in really awesome ways (“Mein Herr” from Cabaret combines it with giving the full lyrics to the choir and letting the main vocal stay in one sustained note) but modulation can be used in other fantastic ways. Two examples: “Love on Top” by Beyoncé modulates upwards SEVERAL TIMES and it's joyful and awesome. “Nemo” by Nightwish does it halfway through the SECOND VERSE.
“This is low for my range” *proceeds to sound like an angel*
I think he said that not to pretend to be humble it was to say its funny how low in his range is still pretty high
he sounded so good! now I want a whole song based around that sound, maybe put it through some light processing with an eq or multiband slappy compressor to bring out the sharpness of the high harmonics
He really is a tenor for surr
The verse was clearly not working for him, but when he got to the chorus it sounded great
@@Millie-um2bi Yeah you can tell his vocal range really fits the chorus
I stayed on the end card just to listen to the clip from Sparkle Mountain.
“In the air tonight” by Phil Collins is one of the songs that make you wait. And wait. And wait a little more.
After almost 40 years I just recently learned that there is a different version with more drums right from the beginning (ruclips.net/video/YkADj0TPrJA/видео.html ). 😵 How annoying compared to the more sparse version I was used waiting to for decades (ruclips.net/video/MN3x-kAbgFU/видео.html ). 😍
Agreed, thats what makes it so cool- it takes an ENTIRE song's length before we get to the payoff, which is the super awesome drum fill into the chorus. The parts before it though are interesting as well, so the song as a whole is great, and not just the climax part. 👏
OMG NO WAY. i am a very very beginner songwriter and just today I was searching for tips for songwriting, and then you post this? 😱
Aw good for you :) I hope you make something you're proud of
@@icantthinkofanything798 thanksss
The course is super worth it, by the way.
Welcome to a whoooole new world!
Thank you guys for all the nice comments!
all these tips are awesome wow, usually when i see a “tips to improve your songs” it’s like,, “have you melody follow a question and answer pattern” or “have a part of the song that changes”, like suuuper obvious or vague stuff. this video, however, makes me feel like my songs are gonna be a little bit better just from watching this video and having these ideas in my head. andrew huang best songwriting teacher
What a talent. Not only being a great singer, writer, and producer, but also a great teacher.
America says: "We love a chorus"
But don't get complicated and bore us
Though meaning might be missing
We need to know the words after just one listen
so, repeat stuff (x3)
repeat stuff (x3)
@@13372p34k repeat stuff 3x reacharound combo
this is a great comment
@@PsiVolt This thread went from Andrew Huang to Bo Burnham to Homestuck so fast I got whiplash
Homestuck? Where?
Congrats on 2 mil subs
I often use that technic (the third one I think). I always subtract elements during the build and rarely add more. The smaller the build, the bigger the drop. A sneaky method to making the drop sound bigger and louder is to subtly automate the master volume down so that the build gets quieter and goes full volume again for the drop.
Hi
Shameless plug to sign up for the online course! I did it in April. It was a wild ride but I learned a ton and now have 6 complete songs that I didn't 6 weeks ago.
Starting immediately with the chorus is also a great way to hook people. If that's a bit much for your song, you can try playing around with some elements of the chorus rather than bringing it in fully. Like taking out vocals, or playing it more softly.
CONGRATS ON 2 MILL!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm not an expert but some things I've done that have helped: I got to a big moment at the end of the bridge and needed a way to get back to the verse. But it was just jarring to jump into that verse. I muted the drums for one measure of that verse then unmuted. It really worked smooth out the two parts that seemed to be in conflict with each other.
I sometimes change up my effects between verses, especially time based/rhythm based effects like delay. If you have a delay set to a musical division in verse one, change it up for verse two. You can even mute the sends rhythmically to create even more weirdness. It works and from a creative standpoint, it's CHEAP.
Want to create a bridge but don't know what to play? Take your melody and shift it earlier by half a measure. You can keep the first half as a pickup or just mute it. Now you have something that still works in the same key, is related, but now sounds really different.
This stuff doesn't always work. But they are pretty quick to audition and see if some sparks fly. If it doesn't bog you down creatively, then use it.
One of my voice teachers suggested playing with different emotions during a song, in order to exaggerate certain qualities. Also changing from clear pronunciation to messy, changing up EQ from verse to verse etc.
Thanks!
Oh my goodness the musical Once is why I started writing music and Andrew is why I started production! Wild to see Once come up in one of these videos
Congrats for 2 Mil!
You're almost at 2 mill subs! Lets get you to the top of youtube mountain!
Thanks Jessica!
@@andrewhuang No problem! Your videos have helped me so much through my university work so a big thank you.
I have been producing for 11 years now and I've been apart of a lot of communities but one thing I can say Is I've never seen someone so positive and so dedicated to educating people, I've taught many friends how to get started writing their own music and explaining things can be very hard It's one thing to know something and another to put it into words and I can tell you definitely put a lot of work into these videos thank you for everything you do on this channel keep it coming
Can’t wait for your class. I am in!! So excited
I love it when a song brings the last chorus up a half step in pitch, just gives it that bit extra rise of energy to make it feel climatic
@fjf sjdnx A Disney modulation is going up a whole step, not a half step. Similar effect, though.
"Living on a prayer" by Bon Jovi is an awesome example of this
@@kravvall4869 Seasons in the Sun is the best example ever.
Why not a quarter step (like Jacob Collier does)
Ah is that also called a key change?
Some classic tips there. I use quite a few of these but really nice to see them all mentioned and explained in one video. Great work dude.
Thank you so much for posting this! Very helpful!!
Thank's for the tips ! and congrats on (almost) 2M ! I'll try to incorporate these in my next one
One of my favorite things I like to hear in a song is when the second verse is used as a platform for a new idea. Usually verses are not good enough to hear twice, and even beyond singing the part a little differently, I think the best songs often make the second verse so different from the first, that it's almost like you are getting 2 different bridges. I am not a fan of too much repetition generally, and capable artists can usually take a theme and run with it as opposed to reaching for a thing that works and repeating it. Play with shit, experiment. There are so many directions you can go with any given part, let your mind explore on that second verse. Make it so the bridge has to compete with how good the second verse is, then you know you are onto something.
this is so clear and so good to hear examples. thanks for making these videos
You always have such fantastic ideas, thank you for sharing!
Man this video came up at the perfect time!
Every little nugget of information I learn from you, helps me get better.
Thanks for the awesome video.
I'll pepper all these into my musical vocabulary, starting today.
This is really helpful! Thank you as always, Andrew! 👏🏻
Thanks for all your videos always learn new stuff from them!
Love this video! I literally needed this right now. :)
Bro, your videos always drop when I need them the most! Please never stop doing these
Man, your music sounds so vibrant and happy! I've been stuck writing bleak af music the last few years. Interesting tips for sure.
Fantastic video as always Andrew. I don’t know I how you constantly keep providing interesting and helpful content! Thank you 🙏🏼
You should make this a series! I learned a lot today and would love to hear more!
this video left me very inspired. I also thought the quality of your production (audio and video) was excellent. Thanks!
Definitely agree with the last tip. I’ve noticed I naturally do that with some of my songs 💛💛💛
Great tips...I also just loved how fun your videos are, I laughed out loud numerous times!
Awesome stuff. Great tips thank you so much!
Oh Boy! Just signed up for the course. So excited!!
Signed up for your class. Looking forward to it!
Super songwriting ideas! Thanks Andrew!
Loved this, thank you! 👍🏼
That first trick is such a simple one that gets me every time when I hear it. Just a change in one chord on a chorus can change the feel of the same melody in such a subtle but cool way. I would guess most people usually don't catch that, but I always love that. When I write, if I ever have a little trouble deciding on which chord should go next, after I make my decision, I try to keep the second choice in my pocket for one time use somewhere.
This is the content i subbed for. Wow man!
Keep doing what you're doing. I love the music science stuff.
Loved the video! Thank you❤
0:19 when jacob collier modulates to g half sharp minor for the nineteenth time
Lots of valuable knowledge here, thanks Andrew
you continue to be one of the best resources for songwriting and production, even when i fade away for some time. thanks for being so damn consistent when i fail to be.
Please do more videos on this topic, so inspiring!
Dude, I'm writing songs for 20+ years, but this was refreshingly reminding! Not just for beginners, but when you're going through the motions, nice stuff! Also, I like the sound of your songs! Sounds different and fresh!
I keep doing #4 and #5 a lot even in my earlier attempts because A LOT of songs does that at it's so easy and effective
I'm so glad you included Falling Slowly. It's one of the most simplest songs but yet a powerful one!
CONGRATS ON 2MILLION SUBSCRIBERS 👍👍👍
So glad to have subscribed and learned a lot from u! I'm starting my own music production after years of hitting snooze... thanks a lot!
I like the idea of changing the chords to 'uplift' the music. I've always thought that reflecting the 'feeling' in the lyrics with the music.
Such solid advice, thanks man!
Missed the sign up for last months class but signed up for this month 20 minutes after the email wait-list notification. Super-Pumped!
I feel very encouraged by that video in trusting my ears and experience cause I happen to know and use these things without knowing that I do. Thanks so much!
I like to add a layer in the drop to the melody and then after the drop for the melody only use that layer of synth then add more back in later
Aiden Bouc 👍🏼👍🏼
You have a nice voice! Don't let people tell you otherwise. Love your videos!
Andrew, your videos are always such a wealth of information. I've created so many text files with great tips such as ones in this video.
I can't thank you enough!
I actually liked the overlapping vocals when you made the quick edit
Really thousand thanks for sharing all these 🥳🥳
I really loved every moment of this video. You're probably not gonna see this, but you, Virtual Riot, and acestoaces are the people who inspired me to start producing my music back in 2016, and seeing your channel grow really warms my heart. Love from Shanghai!
-Sinex
Making us wait! Great tutorial bro. One technique that I use is to use Inverted Chords which gives a bit better color than a usual chord. Keep these videos coming
Great vid. love the detail
An aspiring young songwriter here!
I've been writing songs even from as young as like a little elementary kid, and now it's just a passion for me as a teenager. Back then though, I was TERRIFIED to pick an instrument. Never learned one (I know I'm weird). I've only been writing songs melodically and just, wrote them down, imagining what it could be. I discovered that I wasn't the only one and found a bunch of people who were just as afraid as I do. Fear of failure, I guess? There are so many talented people out there. I almost gave up on song writing. Andrew, though, you're one of the people who inspired me to pick up an instrument and I'm going to continue learning now. Thank you.
@@tollboothsatmidnight2766 i didnt lol
"Don't bore us, get to the chorus". This is true for most songs but I think the more important part of this quote is "Don't bore us". Some of my favorite songs to listen to have a longer 2nd verse and I think the reason it works is because their 2nd verse are interesting and not just a rephrasing of the 1st verse. In the first place, I won't be bored if I love the verses.
Really good tips!! I like the verse two to subtract the instruments and then add then later on! Nice 👍 vid! ❤️
deep cuts with the falling slowly!! now i gotta go watch once now.
Songwriting tips are always so interesting. Love knowing why my favourite songs sound the way they do.
Whoa this is new! I needed this!
Such useful and effective tricks!
Tanks again for the tips!
Some real good tips here. thank you
A rule of thumb I used when I started out writing lyrics was: describe what you want to say in the verses, then say it in the chorus. Very useful for writing chatty pop song. Eg Ed Sheeran: you need me, I don’t need you. :) hope this helps
learning SO MUCH from these.
this is one of your best videos to date
Music is love, at the start or the end, so blessed we can express ourselves in this way.
Great tips! I keep songwriting/arrangement ideas in my phone notes cause I’m always thinkin of them at random moments
Love this!
Nearly at 2 million, Andrew. Congrats!
"making u wait", like in Elysian - Moonchild, when the main part finally drops after a very long (and beautiful) break, you just wait and wait and wait for that chord change. Its such an relief when they finally change the chords and then back again. Its actually brilliant because it always makes me want to listen to the drop again
Hey Andrew. Loved the video, I am by no means a pro, but found myself using some of the tips already. I was gonna drop my next song this weekend, but maybe I spend some more time to make sure it does what I want it to do. Thanks again for the helpful video.
Amazing video, thanks 👍
I like the tips. Some are new to me. Thanks
Maaan you are the guyyy love your music 🔥
HUUUGGEE congrats on reaching 2mil bro!!!
Really awesome content!
Deadass loving the amount of uploads recently. Guess quarantine has its perks
I actually used the subtract to impact suspension on a track I'm working on, and then watched this video without knowing it would help. I just thought it sounded cool so I did it, lol. Thanks the the advice my dude =D.
Thanks again Andrew, great stuff ! I'm still an amateur, but I'm glad I'm already doing some ot these tricks without knowing it :)