A woman writing melody on guitar

What is Melody in a Song?

Learn the basics of writing melody with the help of Jack Perricone’s book Melody in Songwriting: Tools and Techniques for Writing Hit Songs.

A songwriter sitting in a chair with a notebook open, a pencil pressed to their lip, deep in thought.

Prosody in Music and Songwriting

Prosody in songwriting is when all the elements work together to support the central message of the song, creating an appropriate relationship between the elements. Learn how to enhance your songwriting with prosody!

A picture of Bruce Hornsby under red and blue lights

Bruce Hornsby on New Album and Having the Most Diverse Array of Collaborators Ever

Bruce Hornsby discusses his humble start in a Grateful Dead cover band, his mega breakthrough with “The Way It Is,” and his recent indie rock resurgence via his collaborations with members of Bon Iver. And yes, he also discusses how surreal it was to play 100+ shows with the real Grateful Dead!

Whitney Marchell Jackson

Jazz Singer and Berklee Online Student Marchell Jackson on Going Back to School in Her 70s

Marchell Jackson’s life in music officially began when she and her friends started a vocal group in the 1960s, and it continues to this day, where at the age of 71 she is a working performer and a Berklee Online student.

Person writing a song in a notebook

How to Choose a Song Title

As a songwriter, finding a song title is the big question, and the hard one, because a title is only as good as your imagination—your ability to do something interesting with it. Pat Pattison shares how you can make your song titles more interesting.

Songwriter Bruce Sudano as photographed in 2021 by Amy Waters.

Bruce Sudano on Turning Brooklyn Dreams into Reality with Donna Summer

Bruce Sudano has written songs that have been sung by Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, and his late wife, Donna Summer, including the disco hit “Bad Girls.”

Singer, songwriter, and musician José González is pictured holding a small child while standing outside of a doorway that is marked with the number 83.

José González on Secular Humanism, ‘Local Valley,’ and Lyrical Inspiration

​​José González used to have difficulty writing lyrics, but with his new studio album, “Local Valley,” he has tapped into new sources of inspiration.

Sushant KC

Sushant KC Proves Pursuing Music is a Viable Path in Nepal

Sushant KC is pursuing his bachelor’s in Songwriting and Producing Music at Berklee Online and strives to prove music is a viable career for Nepalese youth.

Billie Eilish, photographed by Lars Crommelinck, courtesy of Wiki Commons

2021 Grammy Awards: Advice from Nominated Female Songwriters

Since the 2021 Grammy Awards happened to be rescheduled to take place during Women’s History Month, we spotlight these tips from the Grammy-nominated and award-winning female songwriters.

Huey Lewis is pictured on the cover of his 2020 album, "Weather."

Huey Lewis and the News on His Hearing, the Power of Love, and More

Huey Lewis: Some of his lies are true, including the ones about stowing away on a plane to Europe, playing soccer with Black Sabbath and Ozzy, and being dressed by Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy. He also touches upon his meteoric rise to fame in the 1980s and his struggles with Ménière’s disease.