Songwriting Video Lessons | Tony Elenburg

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YOUR INNER SONGWRITER

Award-Winning Songwriter & Recording Artist Tony Elenburg shares his expertise in writing music to top the national charts.

THE 5 ELEMENTS OF A SONG

After 30+ years of instruction and collaboration, Tony has condensed the art of songwriting into 5 elements which every great song requires. Take an in-depth look at the development of the idea, melody, lyrics, chord progression, and continuity through a series of video lesson plans designed to help you elevate your craft to new heights. Watch Tony’s trailers covering each of the 5 key elements below, then purchase his video & audio lesson plans either individually or as a a bundle.

1 : IDEA

The inspiration for the song; how to recognize THE moment! How to capture and manage the idea!

Inspiration – What is the big idea you want to leave with the listener?
Literal or Abstract – Is the idea literal? Is it intentionally abstract?
The Hook – Different approaches to writing the idea.
Idea People – When ideas are your strength.
Genre – Projecting/casting the likely audience.
Capture the Idea – The Importance of seizing the moment!
Managing Your Ideas – Keeping record of your creativity.

2 : MELODY

The importance of melody; writing pretty melody vs complimentary melody; melody’s historic role in longevity!

Pretty Melody – Isn’t pretty melody always appropriate?
Complimentary Melody – When melody is not the primary focus of the song.
The Longevity Factor – Melody’s historic role in a songs longevity.
The Value of Dissecting a Song – The deep dive into the pieces of the song.
When Melody is Done Well…

3 : LYRIC

The power of words, learn to love words; what is “rhythm of lyric”; what is trite lyric, why tense is important.

Learn to love words! Learn the economy of words!
What is the role of our thoughts in lyric?
How long should it take to write a song?
Learn to “wrestle” with words.
How does the discipline of songwriting apply to abstract lyric or trite lyric?
Honoring tense… a common mistake.
Rhyme Schemes. Is Poetry lyric?

4 : CHORD PROGRESSION

Learning to navigate chord progression, regardless of musical proficiency; understanding chord progression basics.

Learn the Circle of Fifths and Circle of Fourths
How to read basic key and time signatures
Mnemonic Devices
Intro to the Number System

Harmonics and Inversions

Practical application into songwriting

5 : CONTINUITY

Learn to recognize continuity; how to correct a lack of continuity; layered elements of songwriting vs filtered elements of songwriting.

Learn to recognize continuity (or lack of)
How to identify and correct issues of continuity
How to employ continuity
Learn the strategy of song structure
The use of tension to promote continuity

TONY ELENBURG

WORSHIP & SONGWRITING MENTOR