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What's in a Song: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Scarlet Keys
This is a weekly podcast about the craft of songwriting hosted by Berklee College of Music Professor Scarlet Keys. She takes deep dive into the craft, technique and art of songwriting in conversations with eminent songwriters, producers, and other creatives asking questions only a songwriting professor would ask so listeners can walk away inspired and armed with clear and actionable tools and techniques they can apply to their songwriting.
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- Today52 min
Taylor Swift "Ruin the Friendship" - lyric techniques and the power of a great bridge Part 1
Send us Fan Mail In this bridge, we break down "Ruin the Friendship" by Taylor Swift with a focus on lyrical techniques and a touch on melody. We talk about the power of a bridge and the alchemy of a bridge on the rest of the narrative. Support this podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Venmo: @scarlet-keys What members are saying: "I've been in Scarlet's songwriting group since it began. I've learned so much from Scarlet, her guests, and from the other members. It's ...
- Apr 23, 20269 min
Diagnosing a song
Send us Fan Mail In this episode we talk about the critical thinking skills of a songwriter and the puzzle of the song. When your song feels like it's missing something or you might feel bored by your own song but don't know what to do to change it. After the song is written, it's important to know what to look for on how to make the song as effective as possible. I hope you will join me for my next online class to learn what to look for and the solutions that can make your...
- Feb 9, 20261h 29m
Taylor Swift's Eldest Daughter break down with Guest forensic musicologist Joe Bennett
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to a new season! We are continuing on with the Life of a Show Girl interpreted with new up coming episodes. Today, I am joined with Dr. Joe Bennett as we break down "Eldest Daughter" by Taylor Swift. Songwriting retreats: Star Island In person songwriting retreat: https://starisland.org/program/songwriting-intensive-the-art-of-the-song/Support this podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Join the “What’s in a Song” community: https://buyme...
- Nov 10, 20251h 17m
Taylor Swift's "Father Figure" The break down with guest Forensic musicologist Joe Bennett
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we break down Father Figure from Taylor Swift's record "The Life of a Showgirl". In this episode we look at: The chord progressionMelodic hooksRhetorical devicesGuitar voicingsThe stunning bridge and what the back ground harmonies are bringing to this section to make it so spectacularPhrasingProsodySign up for the Master class:The songwriting secrets of Taylor Swift Nov 18th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1811786424969?aff=oddtdtcreator Support this podcast:...
- Oct 26, 20251h 22m
Taylor Swift's Opalite - break down
Send us Fan Mail Track32 on "The Life of a Showgirl" - Opalite I'm back with Forensic Musicologist Dr. Joe Bennett In this episode we look at: The chord progressionChord tensionsHarmonic rhythmBorrowed chordRhetorical deviceProductionDirect modulationTo sign up with the virtual live master class "The Songwriting of Taylor Swift" with Scarlet Keys: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1811786424969?aff=oddtdtcreator Joe Bennett: To learn more about forensic musicology and professor Joe Benne...
- Oct 13, 20251h 22m
Taylor Swift's "Elizabeth Taylor" - The break down
Send us Fan Mail Track 2 on "The Life of a Showgirl" - Elizabeth Taylor I'm back with Forensic Musicologist Dr. Joe Bennett In this episode we look at: The chord progressionChord inversionsTensionsHarmonic rhythmPhrase lengthsMelismaWriting from a titleMelodic hooks To sign up with the virtual live master class "The Songwriting of Taylor Swift" with Scarlet Keys: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1811786424969?aff=oddtdtcreator Mailing list: https://www.scarletkeys.com/ Instagram: @scar...
- Oct 6, 202553 min
Breaking down Taylor Swift's "The Fate of Ophelia" with Musicologist Joe Bennett
Send us Fan Mail This is the first of a 12 episode series where Berklee College of music professor Scarlet Keys talks about each song off of the new Taylor Swift album "The Life of a Showgirl" searching for clues and signature moves that Swift uses as a writer to write songs that resonate with millions of listeners and pack stadiums. They are listening for literary devices, chord progression, ear worm, melodic hooks and theme. Scarlet wrote the course "The songwriting of Taylor Swi...
- Sep 16, 20251h 3m
It's never to late to become a songwriter with former Berklee College of music president Roger Brown
Send us Fan Mail About this weeks guest: Roger Brown is an American businessman, philanthropist, and academic administrator and former president of Berklee College of Music. Brown is also the co-founder of Bright Horizons and founder and chairman of the Salt Lick Incubator. He is most recently a grammy nominated songwriter!!! In this episode, Roger talks about becoming a songwriter later in life, writing the truth and retiring from Berklee and creating a company for emerging artists c...
About What's in a Song
This is a weekly podcast about the craft of songwriting hosted by Berklee College of Music Professor Scarlet Keys. She takes deep dive into the craft, technique and art of songwriting in conversations with eminent songwriters, producers, and other creatives asking questions only a songwriting professor would ask so listeners can walk away inspired and armed with clear and actionable tools and techniques they can apply to their songwriting.
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