Feautured Songbay Artist: Sheree Shaw This week we take a look at the work of Sheree Shaw, a recent subscriber to Songbay and brilliant lyricist. “How did you get in to songwriting?” I used to love writing stories when I was younger, I had a great imagination! Then when i was about ten years old, I started singing and my stories turned to lyrics. It became a way for me to project my thoughts and it began to act as Continue
Songwriting thought of the Day
Think about the Rhythm of your Melody!
Experiment with rhythm! A good melody often has a compelling rhythm. Play around with different rhythmic patterns to make your melody interesting and catchy!
- "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson - This song has a distinctive bassline and rhythm that contributed to its iconic status.
- "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran
- "Don't Start Now" by Dua Lipa
- "Sorry" by Justin Bieber
- "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck Quartet (considered a jazz/pop fusion) - Known for its unusual 5/4 time signature, it's a standout for its rhythmic complexity.
- "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas
- "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams - This song features a funky rhythm that's catchy yet intricate.
- "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson - Similar to "Billie Jean," it's known for its driving rhythm and innovative beats.
- "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars - It has a funky rhythm that gets people moving with its lively groove.
- "Closer" by The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey
Feautured Songbay Artist: Emma Chute This week we take a look at the work of Emma Chute, a talented lyricist who has recently licensed her first lyric at Songbay “How did you get in to songwriting?” I think I have always been writing something. As a child, I would write short stories and I read poetry from a young age. The words of Kahil Gibran touched me. At school, we were asked to to make Poetry Anthologies. I won the prize for best Continue
Featured Songbay Artist: Alastair Creyke (No false Promise) “I have been a frustrated performer most of my life, but with no real musical ability apart from singing whenever I could and writing lyrics on any available scrap of paper, post it or beer mat I could find. I can’t read music, but taught myself to play guitar in the 90’s and started writing music to go with my lyrics. The words arrive and I just feel they need to go somewhere, a Continue
Songbay Review “We joined Songbay in March 2017 as completely unknown songwriters. We have already licensed two of our songs, and have had multiple collaboration and songwriting offers! Always willing to help, going above and beyond to answer our questions, the Songbayteam has been of great help to us on this daunting journey into the music industry. We would highly recommend Songbay to anyone who creates music! It has opened up a whole new world to us. – Jennie and Continue
Feautured Songbay Artist: Leigh Malin This week we pose a few questions to Songbay artist Leigh Malin – a brilliant songwriter, new to Songbay but already enjoying some serious successes with selling and collaborating. “How did you get into Songwriting”? “I started off playing trumpet at school when I was eight years old. My dad talked me into taking up saxophone at ten & I did five years of lessons with a peripatetic teacher. I wasn’t overly interested in the lessons, Continue
