theme show

All about Modes with Jeff Alan Greenway

Composer, singer-songwriter, and piano virtuoso Jeff Alan Greenway joined us to talk about musical modes — what they are and how they are used in songs. Jeff went through each mode and sang a well-known song live with his piano. Listen to the whole show: Additional resources about modes: https://ledgernote.com/columns/music-theory/musical-modes-explained/ http://openmusictheory.com/scales2.html http://openmusictheory.com/popRockHarmony-EverettSystem2.html Here’s an easy to …

All about the Songwriters Association of Canada

by Bruce Harrott

The Songwriters Association of Canada (S.A.C.) is a Canadian organization dedicated exclusively to Canadian composers, lyricists and songwriters. Their mission is to develop and protect the creative and business environments for songwriters in Canada and around the world. Have a listen to Patrick Ballantyne, Chairman of the Board, Mike, Music Marketing Coordinator and Shri, International Communications Coordinator, …

Where’s My Hair Gel? The Best of the 80’s Draft

by Admin Bot

Carmen Toth stopped by to play our first attempt at a “Best Songs of the 80’s” Draft! Phil’s better half, Heather, volunteered to keep score: Bruce 8, Carmen 9, Neel 9, Phil 9. Listen to the episode: Let us know your fav 80s songs, and be sure to check out this super interesting video about …

The show with more cowbell!

by Neel Modi

OK, so we’ve got a thing for the cowbell. Or maybe that was just Phil. In any case, the under-appreciated cowbell gets the most love it’s had since Christopher Walken’s fever. We talked about: the history and distinctive sound of the cowbell the heyday of the cowbell in 70s rock syncopated vs. straight rhythms the …

How to approach the media and get results

by Bruce Harrott

Okay, so you’re talented singer/songwriter and you’ve recorded a few tunes. Now you’d like to get some media attention to promote you and your music. In this value-rich hour, Phil explains some of the things you must NEVER do, and some the things that will work. We talked about: do NOT send e-mail blasts customized …

Rhyme-a-rama with Blair Packham!

by Bruce Harrott

We figured it was time to talk about rhyme; a cornerstone of songwriting. So we invited one of our favourite singer/songwriters – Blair Packham – to take a closer listen to songs with a plethora of rhymes and one with virtually none! We talked about: The songwriter’s personal approach to rhyme Does rhyme distract from …

Comedy Songs Special (a.k.a. How to be a funny songwriter)

by Neel Modi

We got our funny on by looking at what makes comedy songs tick. Friend of the show Mike MacInnes “Phil’d” in for Phil. Thanks Mike! And our own tech person, Linda Lavender, treated us to a live comedy song she just wrote – great stuff Linda! We talked about: why Top 40 charts don’t have …

How to write a break-up song

by Bruce Harrott

True to form for Song Talk Radio, the day before Valentine’s Day seemed a good day to talk about break-up songs. So Phil brought “Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels)” by Jim Croce, Neel chose “One More Minute” by “Weird Al” Yankovic, Bruce performed a new original tune “I Don’t Love You Anymore”, and …