Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
In this video, I deconstruct 'Symptom of Life' by Willow Smith and illustrate 5 valuable songwriting concepts that are guaranteed to make you a better songwriter!
Want 20% Off 'Tape It' Pro? - Click here: https://tape.it/for/howtowritesongs
00:00 Introduction
00:45 1. Two Time Signatures
03:05 2. Parallel Modulation
08:39 3. High Contrast Melody Writing
11:48 4. The Song Form
16:23 5. Unconventional Yet Popular
🌏 Join the HTWS Songwriters Community for Weekly Feedback Sessions, Live Workshops and Collaboration with other songwriters from around the world: howtowritesongs.org/community
⚡ Want Free Weekly Songwriting Tips and Insights? Join our Newsletter: howtowritesongs.org/subscribe-to-the-newsletter
Who Are We?
HTWS is Keppie Coutts, and Benny Romalis, two professional songwriters, performing artists and teachers with over 40 years of collective experience in the music industry.
We have studied and taught at some of the best contemporary music colleges in the world including Berklee College of Music, Sydney Conservatorium, the Australian College of the Arts, the Australian Institute of Music, the LA School of Songwriting and JMC Academy.
Our goal is to help people write better songs! Our experience, having worked with thousands of songwriters (many going on to find careers and success in music), is that your songwriting, like all things, can get better with meaningful and deliberate practice. Our intention is to share the skills, knowledge and ideas that we've had the privilege of gathering with others who embrace the art and craft of songwriting.
You can find more information at: howtowritesongs.org
#howtowritesongs
#howtowriteasong
#songwriting
#songwritingtips
In this video, I deconstruct 'Symptom of Life' by Willow Smith and illustrate 5 valuable songwriting concepts that are guaranteed to make you a better songwriter!
Want 20% Off 'Tape It' Pro? - Click here: https://tape.it/for/howtowritesongs
00:00 Introduction
00:45 1. Two Time Signatures
03:05 2. Parallel Modulation
08:39 3. High Contrast Melody Writing
11:48 4. The Song Form
16:23 5. Unconventional Yet Popular
🌏 Join the HTWS Songwriters Community for Weekly Feedback Sessions, Live Workshops and Collaboration with other songwriters from around the world: howtowritesongs.org/community
⚡ Want Free Weekly Songwriting Tips and Insights? Join our Newsletter: howtowritesongs.org/subscribe-to-the-newsletter
Who Are We?
HTWS is Keppie Coutts, and Benny Romalis, two professional songwriters, performing artists and teachers with over 40 years of collective experience in the music industry.
We have studied and taught at some of the best contemporary music colleges in the world including Berklee College of Music, Sydney Conservatorium, the Australian College of the Arts, the Australian Institute of Music, the LA School of Songwriting and JMC Academy.
Our goal is to help people write better songs! Our experience, having worked with thousands of songwriters (many going on to find careers and success in music), is that your songwriting, like all things, can get better with meaningful and deliberate practice. Our intention is to share the skills, knowledge and ideas that we've had the privilege of gathering with others who embrace the art and craft of songwriting.
You can find more information at: howtowritesongs.org
#howtowritesongs
#howtowriteasong
#songwriting
#songwritingtips
