Dear Songwriter..‪.‬ Connor Frost

Dear Songwriter,

Are you ready to dive into the songwriting secrets belonging to The Beatles' quiet genius, George Harrison? Today, we'll be breaking down the timeless tracks "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Something" to see what makes them so great. We'll uncover the mystery of why these songs chose to forego the comforts of a traditional chorus, and instead, follow a jazz-like structure.

With George Harrison's deep understanding of musical storytelling, we'll delineate the characteristics that set his creations apart from the typical pop song. You will also unearth the underlying similarities that are subtly woven into these two distinct songs. Ultimately, the goal of this episode is not just to marvel at Harrison's extraordinary talent, but to extract and introduce his unique techniques into your songwriting universe.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:
The distinct role of the guitar in Harrison's songsThe transition between minor and major keysThe power of subtle lyrical repetitionsUnderstanding the absence of a traditional chorus.The unique, jazz-like structure of these compositionsAre you ready to resonate your own songs with some of this Beatles magic? Let's get into it with today's episode!

Ever wanted to connect with like-minded songwriters, embarking on the same journey as you? Join our free group, Songwriter's Vault, for exclusive trainings and a chance to connect: https://connorfrost.com/vaultpodcast

Mentions and Links:
Songs/Artists:
While My Guitar Gently Weeps - The BeatlesSomething - The BeatlesMusicians/Songwriters:
Paul McCartney John LennonGeorge HarrisonMovies/Books:
Star WarsHarry Potter

Dear Songwriter,

This week I'm diving into the ripple effect a simple social media post about song structure sparked and why it got people divided and talking. The post I made on Threads amassed 106,000 views and 71 total comments, many of which were in clear opposition to what I was saying.

Challenging traditional norms of songwriting, I'm going to dissect varying viewpoints, breaking down the reasons behind such strong sentiments. Tune in to know more, test your beliefs, and perhaps even switch up your songwriting techniques.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:
Why learning song structure became a heavy debate among musicians and songwritersThe role of repetition in crafting compelling songsHow to analyze and improve existing song structuresThe benefits of experimentation and open-mindedness in songwritingA practical songwriting exercise to enhance your understanding of song structure
Ready to jump into the discussion? Hit the play button now and let's get into some of these comments!

Ever wanted to connect with like-minded songwriters, embarking on the same journey as you? Join our free group, Songwriter's Vault, for exclusive trainings and a chance to connect: https://connorfrost.com/vaultpodcast

Mentions and Links:
Socials:
Follow My Journey on Threads!Threads Post About Song Structure

Dear songwriter,

In this episode from the vault, initially aired on October 10th, 2023, my colleague Julie and I take you on a journey into the heart of songwriting creativity. Join us as we delve into our recent songwriting retreat held in picturesque Vermont, where songwriters from all walks of life came together to experience an immersive 72-96 hour songwriting adventure. Today, we are going to cover:

Five Reasons to Attend a Songwriting Retreat
Giving yourself the chance to focus solely on songwriting.The opportunity to join a supportive community of like-minded individuals.The transformative power of collaboration and peer feedback.The thrill of stepping outside your comfort zone or doing something scary.Leaving with more than just songs—a richer, more profound experience with other musicians.Join us in this episode as we share the magic of songwriting retreats and the countless reasons why you should consider embarking on your own creative journey. Whether you're a seasoned songwriter or just starting, there's something incredible waiting for you at the intersection of inspiration and community.

And if you're interested in applying to this year's 2024 Green Mountain Songwriting Retreat, please head to http://www.connorfrost.com/retreat2024

Mentions and Links:
Third Eye Blind
Hogwarts
Colgate University
Julie Lavery Website

Dear songwriter,

It’s a quarter into 2024! How’ve things been? In this episode, I open up about my journey in the first quarter of 2024, sharing my personal reflections, struggles, and growth experiences in the songwriting world. It's heart-to-heart talk as we delve into how I overcame the negativity and further heightened my creativity and persistence.

Amidst preparations for my two-week tour in May and the summer songwriting retreat come August, I’ve been having a lot of feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. I’m guessing I’m not alone in this feeling. From defeating the dread of negative comments to fostering real connections with listeners, and from experiencing numerous drafts to the enthralling satisfaction of a completed song, I hope this episode offers some insight into the songwriting process.

My 10 Takeaways from Quarter 1:
Why taking negative comments, especially from unrecognizable sources, to heart can hinder your songwriting journey.The importance of serving the song rather than feeding your ego.The realization that true listeners aren't simply handed over, they must be earned.Understanding that not all song ideas will work out - sometimes, you just need to test it out to confirm that it's not worth pursuing.The essence of the creative process - the first draft is about transformation from thoughts to ideas. Subsequent drafts help transition these ideas into a complete song.The usefulness of an instrumental section, giving the listener time to absorb the song's narrative.Viewing writer's block as an opportunity rather than a roadblock.If the alternative to failure is staying where you are, then which is the lesser of two evils?Acknowledging that often a song idea or draft may evolve into something entirely different - persevere through even the difficult songwriting moments.People tend to dream endlessly, rather than taking actual steps towards achieving their dreams.
Hit play to kickstart your own journey of resilience and creativity in the songwriting world.

Ever wanted to connect with like-minded songwriters, embarking on the same journey as you? Join our free group, Songwriter's Vault, for exclusive trainings and a chance to connect: https://connorfrost.com/vaultpodcast

Mentions and Links:

Digital Audio Workstations(DAWs):
Logic ProSocials:
Follow My Journey on Threads!

In this replay episode, my client, Zach, AKA Capella Daydream, shares how he wrote, produced, and released his debut album in just six months.

Listen to Capella Daydream here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3XfbOnwDsfqwvZBka6uuky?si=Mz-YXB2XRReYSwdvRbASGQ

If you'd like to connect with me and my team for a FREE "JUST START" call, head to http://www.connorfrost.com/call.

You’ve got some lyrics written out on paper or in the notes app of your phone, maybe you even have a chord progression in place, but there’s just one major problem - you can’t figure out a melody to fit it all together, and a lot of times you’re not even sure where to start. 
In this episode I’m going to be walking you through, step-by-step, on how to start writing melodies, so that you can write catchy songs that you can be proud of, and get over that hump of simply STARTING. Because starting can be the hardest part. 


To schedule a free call with me/my team, go ahead and apply by heading to http://www.connorfrost.com/call .