Writing Songs with Narrative Gaps

Why did Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” create so many myths? Its mood is solemn, even mysterious, and its lyrics are replete with gaps of meaning: it invites the listener to make sense of it.

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Brian Funk is AfroDJMac, and Always in the Mood for Music

When Brian Funk first filmed an Ableton tutorial in his basement five years ago, he wanted to maintain his anonymity. So the high school English teacher put on sunglasses and dubbed himself AfroDJMac.

Leah Waldo Makes Music Education MASSIVE

“The whole idea of MOOCs is to increase access to music education for people who wouldn’t necessarily have access otherwise,” Leah Waldo says.

Tips for Writing Big Message Songs

There are two topics they say never to bring up with your inlaws – religion and politics. Funny enough, those same topics carry some baggage for songwriters, too, though not for the same reasons.

Transcribing Jazz Guitar with Michael Kaplan

“Even if you are using a written transcription, it is imperative to listen to the recording of the transcription to be able to better understand the player’s feel, articulation, nuances, etc.”

How to Become a Unique Songwriter

What many artists don’t realize is that originality is not planned, but the product of fervent exploration leading to happy accidents.

Ben Grubbs: NFL Player and Berklee Online Student

Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Ben Grubbs began studying with Berklee Online in preparation for an eventual career switch which will allow him to play for a different kind of fan.

Berklee Online Unveils Online Guitar Tuner

To celebrate its brand new first-of-its-kind Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in guitar, Berklee Online has just unveiled a brand new one-of-a-kind Online Guitar Tuner.

Two people collaborate writing a song.

How to Find a Music Collaborator

Berklee Online songwriting instructor Andrea Stolpe talks about finding a collaborator as a songwriter and what they can bring to your music.

Song Lyrics: Writing with Small Moments

If you’ve been writing songs very long, you may have heard how important “imagery” can be in songwriting.