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Welcome to TOTB

Every month in our community we have aĀ Song Feedback Session. In this most recent session, guest MikeĀ Errico worksĀ 1-on-1 with threeĀ TOTBĀ songwriters, Christine, Sacha, and Yvonne, giving revision suggestions for editing anĀ original song. Everyone else observes and comments in the chat. These sessions are a wonderful opportunity to get anĀ outside perspective and learn some new editing tools and practices you can take with you into your writing.

Mike Errico is a New York-based recording artist, writer, and lecturing professor who has built his name on the strength of critically acclaimed releases and extensive composition for film and TV. He teaches songwriting at universities, including Yale, Wesleyan, the New School, and NYUā€™s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music.

His book, "Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter," is available wherever books are sold.

Some elements covered in this session include:
AABA song form
Chorus payoff
Prioritizing the melody
Creating a contrasting section
Chorus development
Point of view
Trying all the revision ideas and letting them "fight it out"
Prosody

TIMESTAMPS:
Welcome: 00:00
Christine's song "I'm What I Love": 02:19
Christine's feedback: 06:30
Sacha's song "Two Kids in the Front Seat": 26:07
Sacha's feedback: 29:50
Yvonne's song "Vixen": 44:50
Yvonne feedback: 46:45