Hello Songwriters!

Have you heard of the Rule of Twos?  Watch the video of Steve and Pat workshopping Patrick Nagel's song "Nobody Here to Blame" and you'll hear Steve mention it: "After you've done something twice, do something different before you do it again."  In a way, it's the guiding principle of the video.  Patrick's powerful and engaging song relied heavily on one note in the verses and chorus.  Pat and Steve help him make changes to keep the song interesting melodically as well as lyrically.
  
If that piques your interest and you want to learn more about the Rule of Twos, you are in luck.  Steve has a video dedicated to it, in which he goes through song after song that exemplify the rule's use.  And although Bonnie's Journey of a Song video about "The Things You Left Behind" isn't about the Rule of Twos, you'll find it there, too. Many of the choices she made to create more musical interest were actually in service of the Rule of Twos, even if she didn't say it explicitly.

Be forewarned, though....Once you start thinking in terms of the Rule of Twos, you will start noticing it everywhere -- in music playing in the coffee shop or the grocery store, on the radio on your commute. And it will probably start showing up in your songs, too...

Have fun!

Nobody Here to Blame
(0:21:33)

Rule of Twos
(0:21:38)

Journey of a Song: The Things You Left Behind
(0:15:02)


Warmest wishes,
Diana

 

P.S. You can read past newsletters and check out other video recommendations on our newsletter archive page.

  

 

 

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Diana Korpi
Member Services
diana.korpi@songwork.com