Writing The Hook (An Intuitive Approach) | The Hit Song Architect S1E4 – Holistic Songwriting

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c94ozhd_FFo

Summary

### Summary

The video discusses the process of songwriting and the relationship between music and lyrics. It emphasizes the importance of inspiration, exploring various sources to find emotional impact words and potential song titles. The video also covers finding hooks from these inspirations and provides techniques for hook writing.

Highlights

• Explores the relationship between music and lyrics in songwriting
• Discusses finding inspiration and emotional impact words for song titles
• Provides techniques for creating hooks in a song

Key Takeaways

• The real answer to „music or lyrics first“ is „relationship first“
• Inspiration could come from various sources, such as books or emotions
• Importance of creating short poignant lines and catchy melodies

How I went from 300 to 164,000 subscribers in a year | Pulling The Lever S1E1 – Holistic Songwriting

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu7I5nwt58M

Summary

### Summary
The speaker discusses how creating a board game helped them become a more successful musician and YouTuber, leading to „holistic learning“ in understanding the music industry. They use the Lorenzo is Magnifico board game as an example, highlighting the importance of balance between refining one’s creative process and actually using it to create content.

Highlights

• Board game design improved understanding of the music industry
• Holistic learning helps make connections between different subjects
• Lorenzo is Magnifico board game example
• Players can become too focused on perfecting their machine, neglecting the goal
• Similar issue occurs in music industry: focusing on improving songwriting without creating content

Key Takeaways

• Board games can enhance understanding of other industries through holistic learning
• It’s important to find balance between refining creative process and actually using it for content creation

How Muse (Doesn’t?) Write A Chord Progression | Artists Series S2E3 – Holistic Songwriting

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlLmtj-1CGo

Summary

### Summary

In this transcript, Rio Finesse Ballistics discusses Muse’s unique songwriting approach and the key aspects of their music that differentiate them from Radiohead. The band is known for evoking emotions such as cleverness, sophistication, wonder, excitement, and tension in their music, using classical influences and focusing on conspiracies, politics, rebellion, and war in their themes. A discussed piece of music showcases the use of arpeggios, unusual triads, proper classical voice leading, and augmented chords to create a sophisticated sound. The transcript also highlights Muse’s approach to harmony in their songs and songwriting techniques used by Matt Bellamy, such as functional harmony and the use of diminished chords.

Highlights

• 🎵 Muse’s harmonies are often more in key compared to Radiohead
• 🎵 Muse’s music has influences from classical composers like Bach or Rachmaninoff
• 🎵 Muse’s themes tend to focus on conspiracies, politics, rebellion, and war
• 🎵 The discussed piece of music showcases arpeggios, unusual triads, and proper classical voice leading

Key Takeaways

• 🎶 Matt Bellamy often omits secondary parts in his first verses to focus on the main riff
• 🎶 Functional harmony and diminished chords are common techniques used by Bellamy in his music
• 🎶 Muse’s interest in conspiracy theories influences their sophisticated sound

3 Tough, Tough Lessons I Learned Too Late – Holistic Songwriting

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyhd-Fr49II

Summary

### Summary
Hey YouTube, this video discusses three things that have been bothering me lately. The speaker used to give negative feedback to other songwriters when they were in conservatory but now wishes they hadn’t. They emphasize the importance of being kind and empathetic when giving advice to new artists or those looking up to you. Additionally, the speaker talks about not holding grudges, clearing up past issues through self-analysis and apology, making amends with others, and reflecting on their own actions.

Highlights

• Gave negative feedback in the past
• Realized it was wrong and hurtful
• Importance of being kind and empathetic when giving advice
• Don’t hold grudges
• Clear up Past Issues
• Making Amends
• Reflection

Key Takeaways

• Be empathetic and start with positive comments when giving advice to new artists or those looking up to you.
• Don’t demotivate someone for life! 🎵
• Resolve past issues through self-analysis and apology.

Music Marketing and… Dating? | Pulling The Lever S1E2 – Holistic Songwriting

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUSep6VHebs

Summary

### Summary

In this episode, the speaker discusses how a mindset shift in dating can be applied to marketing and promoting oneself as a musician. By focusing on making sure the other person has a good time without being too desperate or needy, relationships and sales can both improve. The key takeaway is that similar principles apply to both dating and marketing: building trust, reliability, and kindness are essential for success.

Highlights

• Holistic learning and mindset shift can transform business and YouTube channel
• Lessons learned in dating can be applied to music career
• Focus on making sure the other person has a good time without being needy
• Selling products or courses becomes easier as relationship builds

Key Takeaways

• Don’t be too desperate or needy when promoting yourself or your music
• Building trust, reliability, and kindness are essential for success in both dating and marketing

How Deftones Write A Song (In-Depth) l Artists Series S2E4 – Holistic Songwriting

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCtdAgED3LA

Summary

### Summary
The artist series explores Deftones, a heavy metal band known for their unique blend of light drumming, heavy riffing, and versatile singing. Their songs often describe singular moments with unique structuring techniques that keep listeners engaged. The band members‘ talents result in an emotionally powerful sound that defies traditional genre expectations.

Highlights

• Deftones have a dark, sexual, dreamy, and momentary emotional palate.
• Their songs often describe singular moments rather than telling stories or having strong structures.
• In „Rocket Skates,“ the structure includes a short intro, rhythmically complex line, and various transitions that keep listeners engaged.

Key Takeaways

• Deftones balance chaos and order using transitions and repetition to shape expectations.
• The band often deviates from the typical A-B structure by going straight into a pre-chorus without a transition.
• The pleasure of listening to Deftones comes from constantly comparing to the default, being surprised by their music, and twisting cliches in unexpected ways.
• Sex is a recurring theme in Deftones‘ music, present in both lyrics and the combination of three musicians: Chino Moreno, Stephen Carpenter, and Abe Cunningham.

How to promote yourself on Social Media | Pulling The Lever S1E3 – Holistic Songwriting

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q35Wx9RaWDo

Summary

### Summary

The text discusses the significance of maintaining an engaging online presence for artists. It emphasizes exploring various platforms to reach audiences, being creative with their use, and regularly posting captivating content like live videos, music videos, songs, and interviews. The speaker underlines that building an online presence is part of an artist’s job, and creating great content helps keep fans engaged.

Highlights

• Exploring different platforms for reaching audiences
• Being creative with platform usage
• Regularly posting captivating content
• Building online presence as part of an artist’s job

Key Takeaways

• Time and effort lead to improvement in social media engagement
• Social media reflects artistry like song releases
• Live interactions are important for audience engagement

You chose: Sound vs Songwriting | Me vs. The Internet – Holistic Songwriting

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qteymLxXZ0

Summary

### Summary
– The importance of songwriting versus sound in modern pop music is discussed
– The balance between good production and writing is ideal, but a great song can stand alone without great production
– Sound design is crucial for making a song stand out, especially with the rise of Spotify and the internet
– Both elements are essential for creating great music; neither element is more important than the other
– A good balance between sound quality and lyrics is crucial for a song’s success

Highlights

• 🎵 Songs typically have 60-70% sound and only 30-40% writing
• 🎵 Good song can be played with just an acoustic guitar and singer, but it’s essential to have good songwriting to begin with
• 🚀 Pop music is in the middle of the spectrum between different genres
• 🌐 Modern Commercial Music: Success depends on beat, charisma, appearance, and being white, young, and sexy

Key Takeaways

• 🎵 Production & Songwriting: In music production, it’s ideal to have both good production and writing, but a great song can stand alone without great production
• 📹 Rebecca Black: Her heavily auto-tuned vocals led to backlash, showing the importance of balance in production.
• 🧩 Sound & Image: Sound is important for hit songs, and image helps people identify with artists
• 🌐 Modern Commercial Music: Success depends on beat, charisma, appearance, and being white, young, and sexy. There are exceptions like Adele, Ed Sheeran, or SIA who defy this trend.

Why Your Body Is F*ing Up Your Success | Pulling The Lever S1E4 – Holistic Songwriting

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z92rvAnAzwA

Summary

### Summary

The fourth part of Sweden Finesse & Ballistics focuses on the importance of putting yourself out there, emphasizing interpersonal relationships in the industry. It discusses how artists can be reluctant to change their approach and view marketing as manipulation. The speaker shares a mindset shift that was pivotal for their dating life, which involved understanding what it means to „be themselves“ and putting effort into how they come across to others.

Highlights

• Importance of interpersonal relationships in the industry
• Artists‘ reluctance to change their approach
• Confidence does not mean being a jerk but believing in oneself and standing up for one’s decisions

Key Takeaways

• Studying powerful characters‘ body language can help improve confidence

The Co-Writing Formula I Wish I Had Known Earlier – Holistic Songwriting

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrz72vECePw

Summary

### Summary

In this transcript, the speaker discusses their shift in perspective about teamwork, emphasizing that it is not simply the sum of individual contributions (0.5 + 0.5 = 1), but rather a collaborative effort where each member gives their best, regardless of the size of the team. The key takeaway is that successful collaboration involves equal contribution and mutual support from all members, resulting in ideas that are greater than the sum of their individual parts (1 + 1 = 2).

Highlights

• Mindset shift about the concept of teamwork
• Team size doesn’t determine effort; everyone should give 100% regardless of the team size
• Successful collaboration involves equal contribution and mutual support from all members
• Emphasis on development and arrangement of ideas over initial ideas

Key Takeaways

• No matter the team size, every member should contribute their best effort
• Collaboration is about inspiring each other and creating something greater than individual ideas (1 + 1 = 2)
• Successful teams avoid expecting others to complete their thoughts and offer support to each other