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.

What's in a Song is a music podcast hosted by Scarlet Keys, with 89 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Scarlet Keys hosts What's in a Song, a music show with 89 episodes published.

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  What's in a Song

  Part 2 Taylor Swift "Ruin the Friendship" The music, Nashville tunings, copy right infringement

  Jun 25, 202633 min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode Scarlet Keys is joined with Forensic Musicologist Dr. Joe Bennett. Joe breaks down the chords in this song and shares Nashville tunings for the guitar. Joe gets granular in this discussion as he compares Lenny Kravit's "It Ain't over 'til it's over" with "Ruin the friendship" and clarify's what constitutes copyright infringement. He talks about copyrighting your songs and how to protect your original work while still finding inspiration from songs you love. Chord progression in "Ruin the Friendship: D GMaj7/B Csus2 G5 Nashville tunings: Need two sets of guitar strings Take off the 4 thickest strings and replace with much lighter strings replace bass strings with much lighter strings. Bass to treble change tuning to: BE are the same but others are an octave higher How to copyright your songs and protect your work copyright.gov work.Support this podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Venmo: @scarlet-keys Songwriting retreats: Star Island In person songwriting retreat: https://starisland.org/program/songwriting-intensive-the-art-of-the-song/ Support this podcast: Join the “What’s in a Song” community: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "What if it All Goes Right: Practicing Hope in the Hardest Times" featured on NPR and the Wall Street Journal: https://www.amazon.com/What-All-Goes-Right-Practicing/dp/B0CTYVQ9Q8 Joe Bennett: To learn more about forensic musicology and professor Joe Bennett: https://joebennett.net/ Mailing list: https://www.scarletkeys.com/ Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/ Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

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  What's in a Song

  Taylor Swift "Ruin the Friendship" - lyric techniques and the power of a great bridge Part 1

  Jun 12, 202652 min

  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 been an important part of my songwriting journey." - Neale Eckstein I really have grown through your community. Here is a quote that captures my feelings ..... "Through lyric-writing practice, craft-focused feedback, and a supportive community of songwriters, I've become a stronger storyteller in song and gained confidence to share those stories with a wider audience." ... Joe Howell "Scarlet was my first songwriting professor when I was a student at Berklee College of Music. I had never written a song before and left her class with a catalogue of finished songs and an immense love for the craft of writing. 10 years later, I'm now a professional musician, songwriter, and songwriting coach. Through the years, I have been encouraged by the wisdom and insight Scarlet has to offer. I'm not a morning person, but I look forward to the Friday morning sessions where I log on with my bed head, notebook, and cup of tea. The group offers a sense of community with other kind writers working on their art and finding joy in this world through music. The meetings are a positive start to my weekend and keep me inspired as I work on my various music projects. I am so fortunate enough to learn from Scarlet with her positive spirit and love for songwriting." - Stephanie James Songwriting retreats: Star Island In person songwriting retreat: https://starisland.org/program/songwriting-intensive-the-art-of-the-song/ Support this podcast: Join the “What’s in a Song” community: https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "What if it All Goes Right: Practicing Hope in the Hardest Times" featured on NPR and the Wall Street Journal: https://www.amazon.com/What-All-Goes-Right-Practicing/dp/B0CTYVQ9Q8 Joe Bennett: To learn more about forensic musicology and professor Joe Bennett: https://joebennett.net/ Mailing list: https://www.scarletkeys.com/ Mixed by Peter Sykes: https://www.petersykesmusic.com/ Scarlet's website: https://www.scarletkeys.com Scarlet's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scarletkeysofficial/ To purchase Scarlet Keys' book "The Craft of Songwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Songwriting-Music-Meaning-Emotion/dp/0876391927/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PP55NU6E9ST6&keywords=the+craft+of+songwriting&qid=1659573139&sprefix=the+craft+of+songwritin%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

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  What's in a Song

  Diagnosing a song

  Apr 23, 202610 minS0

  <p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>In this episode we talk about the critical thinking skills of a songwriter and the puzzle of the song.  </p><p>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 you...

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  What's in a Song

  Taylor Swift's Eldest Daughter break down with Guest forensic musicologist Joe Bennett

  Feb 9, 20261h 29mS0

  <p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>Welcome back to a new season!</p><p>We are continuing on with the Life of a Show Girl interpreted with new up coming episodes.</p><p><br/></p><p>Today, I am joined with Dr. Joe Bennett as we break down "Eldest Daughter" by Taylor Swift.</p><p><br/></p><p><b>Songwriting retreats:</b></p><b>Star Island In person songwriting retreat: </b>https://starisland.org/program/songwriting-intensive-the-art-of-the-song/<p><b>Support this podcast:</b></p><p>https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys</p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Join the “What’s in...

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  What's in a Song

  Taylor Swift's "Father Figure" The break down with guest Forensic musicologist Joe Bennett

  Nov 9, 20251h 18mS0

  <p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>In this episode, we break down Father Figure from Taylor Swift's record "The Life of a Showgirl".</p><p>In this episode we look at:</p>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:<p><b>The songwriting secrets of Taylor Swift Nov 18th:</b></p><p>https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1811786424969?aff=oddtdtcreator</p><p><br/></p><p><b>Support this podcast:</b></p><p>https://buymeacoffee.com/scarlet.keys</p><...

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