Songwriting Strategies book cover

Songwriting from All Directions with Mark Simos

Mark Simos is a songwriter, educator, and author, who has written for Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, Laurie Lewis, Jimmy Barnes, and so many others.

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Two musicians performing: one playing piano, the other playing electric guitar.

How to Write Better Lyrics

Learn how to write better lyrics with the help of multiplatinum songwriter and Berklee Online author and instructor Andrea Stolpe.

Person playing guitar

Tips for Finishing Songs

One of the most frustrating problems we experience as songwriters is difficulty finishing songs. We might get stuck at the chorus, or maybe after the first chorus.

Writing Melodies: 3 Simple Tools

A great melody always makes a song more memorable. It sounds obvious to say, but it is amazing how often we put emphasis on other elements of the song such as groove or lyric.

Elements of Lyrics: The Great Juggling Act

In this excerpt from “Introduction in Songwriting: Essential Guide to Lyric Form and Structure,” Pat Pattison explains the elements of lyrics.

How to Write Song Lyrics for Other Artists

Berklee Online instructor Andrea Stolpe shares her techniques for songwriting with a recording artist who may or may not be a songwriter at heart.

How to Be a Successful Songwriter When You Can’t Sing

Head into any venue in Nashville, Tennessee and you will hear songwriters in the round belting out great songs with varying degrees of vocal talent or ability.

Simple Tools for Writing from the Title

I’d like to write a bit about how to get going on a song when we start with the title. The online course Lyric Writing: Writing from the Title explores many wonderful tools

A man playing guitar by a pond.

How to Write Lyrics Faster

Berklee Online songwriting instructor Andrea Stolpe teaches you how to write lyrics faster by judging your songs less.

A guitarist playing their instrument near a pond.

How to Write Better Chord Progressions

I love it when songs just fall out. If I could write every song without consciously applying a single tool of the craft, I would. Tools are hard work, and let’s face it, I’d rather be lazy.