HOW TO WRITE SONGS with Keppie & Benny

2026 has been a year dominated by conversations and concerns over AI, and as music makers, it seems to be a topic we just can't avoid!

So in this episode, we turn and face the elephant in the room and debate the merits and downfalls of this rapidly evolving technology. How are people using it? What is the appeal? What problems does it solve? (What problems does it create?)

FREE COURSE: Try our Free 7-Day Songwriter Course: https://howtowritesongs.org/7-day-songwriter-course/

COMMUNITY: Join the HTWS Community with a 14-Day Free Trial: https://howtowritesongs.org/community/

YOUTUBE: If you want more tips and tutorials on how to level up your songwriting, be sure to check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@htws

Thanks for listening!

Keppie and Benny

It is possibly the most commonly asked question of all time when discussing the process of songwriting - 'do you start with the music first... or the lyrics?'

In this episode we examine different songwriting processes, discuss how starting a song in different ways will ultimately give you different results and consider some practical methods for finishing more songs.

FREE COURSE: Try our Free 7-Day Songwriter Course: https://howtowritesongs.org/7-day-songwriter-course/

COMMUNITY: Join the HTWS Community with a 14-Day Free Trial: https://howtowritesongs.org/community/

YOUTUBE: If you want more tips and tutorials on how to level up your songwriting, be sure to check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@htws

Thanks for listening!

Keppie and Benny

Is melody something that just comes down from the heavens or can it actually be learnt? (spoiler ... OF COURSE IT CAN!)

In this episode we dive into the topic of melody-writing - how to analyse them, how to visualise them and most importantly, how to create your own beautiful and memorable melodies.

And if you are serious about developing your melody-writing skills we have a FREE Workshop coming up, 'Write a Song in 90mins - Starting With Melody' - Register Now

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COMMUNITY: Join the HTWS Community with a 14-Day Free Trial: https://howtowritesongs.org/community/

YOUTUBE: If you want more tips and tutorials on how to level up your songwriting, be sure to check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@htws

FREE COURSE: Try our Free 7-Day Songwriter Course: https://howtowritesongs.org/7-day-songwriter-course/

Thanks for listening!

Keppie and Benny

Do you have thoughts or feelings that are just too personal to share with others? How vulnerable and honest do you need to be with your lyric writing, and is there really anything wrong with keeping some of your creative output just for yourself?

In this episode we tackle the topic of sharing our work publicly - why we do it, how we do it and when it makes the most sense to do it.

COMMUNITY: Join the HTWS Community with a 14-Day Free Trial: https://howtowritesongs.org/community/

YOUTUBE: If you want more tips and tutorials on how to level up your songwriting, be sure to check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@htws

FREE COURSE: Try our Free 7-Day Songwriter Course: https://howtowritesongs.org/7-day-songwriter-course/

Thanks for listening!

Keppie and Benny

John Cleese famously said 'Creativity is not a talent, it is a way of operating'. If that is true, how can we learn to operate more effectively as songwriters? Are there ways to train and strengthen our 'creativity muscles' on a daily basis?

In this episode, we tackle the huge and enduring topic of creativity and identify some practical ways that you can develop your own creative practice.

COMMUNITY: Join the HTWS Community with a 14-Day Free Trial: https://howtowritesongs.org/community/

YOUTUBE: If you want more tips and tutorials on how to level up your songwriting, be sure to check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@htws

FREE COURSE: Try our Free 7-Day Songwriter Course: https://howtowritesongs.org/7-day-songwriter-course/

Thanks for listening!

Keppie and Benny

For Bob Dylan, it sometimes took him 10 minutes, while Leonard Cohen wrote and re-wrote endless versions of 'Hallelujah' over a 5 year period.

So, how long should it take to write a song? Does it depend on your skill level... your personality, the type of song, the reason for the song existing?

In this episode we tackle these big questions and many more!

YOUTUBE: If you want more tips and tutorials on how to level up your songwriting, be sure to check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@htws

FREE COURSE: Try our Free 7-Day Songwriter Course: https://howtowritesongs.org/7-day-songwriter-course/

COMMUNITY: Join the HTWS Community with a 14-Day Free Trial: https://howtowritesongs.org/community/

Thanks for listening!

Keppie and Benny

If we’re honest with ourselves, we all wonder from time to time just how much talent we have, how much natural ability we've been endowed with.

But how much does talent really matter? And when we say you either have 'it' or you don't, what is that 'it' really referring to?

In this, our very first episode, we tackle one of the most persistent and controversial topics in the world of songwriting and music making. We candidly discuss why this debate continues to rage and more importantly, we offer some practical ways to develop your skills and mindset as a songwriter, regardless of how much natural talent you may or may not have.

If you want more tips and tutorials on how to level up your songwriting, be sure to check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@htws

Try our Free 7-Day Songwriter Course: https://howtowritesongs.org/7-day-songwriter-course/

Join the HTWS Community with a 14-Day Free Trial: https://howtowritesongs.org/community/

Thanks for listening!

Keppie and Benny