Music Intervals

Music intervals determine the space between two notes. There are two types of them: melodic and harmonic.

• You talk about melodic intervals if you play notes after each other.
• You talk about harmonic intervals if you play notes together.
• If you talk about spaces among three or more notes, it's called a chord.

Semitones

If you play a key on a piano, then the key right next to it, you've got a semitone. There is a semitone between each key on the keyboard. For example, there is a semitone between F and F# and also E and F (because there is no black key between them). You can also go "down" and take E and E♭ - they are also a semitone away from each other.

Diatonic and Chromatic Semitones

• You call a semitone diatonic when the two notes are spelled with different letter names. Going back to our previous example: E and F or D and E♭.

• You call a semitone chromatic when the two notes have the same letter name. For example: F and F#.

Whole Tones

Whole tones mean music intervals that consist of two semitones. When you write sheet music, you must write whole tones on adjacent lines and spaces. And if you need to raise one of them by a semitone (like in case of E and F where there is only a semitone difference), you just write a sharp (#) of flat (♭) symbol next to the note to make it a whole tone. Another name for the distance of whole tone is major 2nd.

Tone-Plus-Semitones

A tone-plus-semitone is a musical interval that means a three-semitone distance. You also have to write the notes on adjacent lines and spaces. Another name for the distance of tone-plus-semitone is augmented 2nd.

Unisons, Fourths, Fifths, Octaves

To find out the size and type of a music interval, i.e. an interval between two notes, start counting from the bottom note (the bottom note is 1) and count each line and space. You'll get a number like "a 5th" (if the above note is nr. 5). At this point, you have one more thing to do, decide the type of the interval:

• Perfect
• Diminished
• Augmented

If the top notes in the interval is in the major scale of the bottom note, we talk about a perfect interval.

If interval is smaller than in the previous case, we talk about a diminished interval.

If interval is bigger than a perfect interval, we talk about an augmented interval.

We could also say, that a diminished interval is a semitone smaller than a perfect one, and an augmented interval is a semitone larger than the perfect one.

Seconds, Thirds, Sixths, Sevenths

If you'd like to find out the interval of two notes, again, your first task is to count from the bottom note (the bottom note being "1") to the top note. Count each line and space.

Their quality can be:

• Major
• Minor
• Augmented
• Diminished

Now, just like earlier, decide if the top note is in the major scale of the bottom note. If it is, you have a major interval.

A minor interval is a semitone smaller than a major one.

If an interval is a semitone larger than a major interval, it's augmented.

If and interval is a semitone smaller than a minor interval, it's diminished.

Sometimes you need to use a double sharp or double flat to write augmented or diminished intervals.

Compound Intervals

Compound intervals are larger than an octave: ninth, tenth, eleventh...

Inverting Intervals
Yes, you can even introvert intervals. It simply means that the bottom note goes to the top or vice versa.
But what interval will you get than? There is a very simple rule for that: all music intervals and their inversions add up to 9. For example:

• Fifths invert to fourths (5+4=9)
• Octaves invert to unisons (8+1=9)
also
• Perfect intervals invert to perfect
• Major intervals invert to minor
• Diminished intervals invert to augmented

These rules work the other way around, too.

More Music Theory

Songwriting Demos

Have some songwriting demos made if you'd like to get your songs recorded. These demos usually have to be close to the quality you hear on CDs; so called broadcast quality recordings. These days this level is easier to achieve than ever.

There are several ways to make great songwriting demos:

1. Build a home studio.

Building a home recording studio can be a little expensive but today it's a fraction of what it used to be. And if you're serious about songwriting, sooner or later you'll want to invest in a home studio and learning how to work with it.

In the long run, this is the cheapest and best solution to make songwriting demos.

2. Hire a demo service record your song.

If you don't have a home recording studio, you can have a demo service record your song(s). They will hire you some musicians, singers and a producer and make it from start to finish for you.

If you choose this way, first ensure that your song is something that's really worth recording. If it's not a finished product yet, you'll just waste money.

First, make a thorough song evaluation. Then you might want to ask some friends, musicians and even better - music industry professionals to review your song.

Professional recording is quite expensive so once your song is ready, be careful to choose a demo service that has been recommended to you or has a good reputation.

3. Have a friend or songwriting partner who has a home studio :)

Many songwriters go this way. Look for collaborators who can complement what you can offer.

For example, if you can sing and write good lyrics, your partner could compose music and make a good quality demo in his/her home studio.

Another benefit of this method is that you can put your creativity together and might be able to write even better songs than on your own. The majority of hit songs have been written by two or more songwriters, sometimes more than 5!

4. Become a staff songwriter.

Before they are offered a staff writer deal, songwriters usually have had some success and proven their abilities.

Who are staff songwriters? Publishing companies and record labels hire them to write songs. They submit their songs to the publisher and often they are sat down in a room with some other songwriters and asked to write songs for a specific artist for a specific purpose. They usually get a weekly salary, which is a recoupable advance on the songwriters' future royalties. They might also "work for hire", which means that their work will be owned by the employer.

Although there is fierce competition for these positions, they solve the problem of making demos, because the employer will pay for them or recoup the fee from future earnings.

Once you have your songwriting demos, don't forget to protect them! To copyright your songs, you'll need to submit two copyright applications in case of songwriting demos. One for the song, the second one for the recording. Fortunately, it's relatively cheap to copyright your songs.



More Songwriting Tips 

Songwriting

Songwriting Success
How You Can Become a Master

Mastering the art of songwriting might seem elusive to you. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to become a master. Lots of things.


No matter if you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, there is always more to learn. This never-ending mastering process in music is like in any other art.

When you begin to learn how to write a song, you get better very fast.

Then you reach a plateau.

Then there is a sudden improvement.

Then a plateau again…

You know how it continues...

What can you do then?

The best way is to collect as much information about the craft as you can. Then put this knowledge into practice as often as you can. If you do this, there is no way you won't get better. That's the only possibility. I've never heard about anyone get worse after following this route.

HitJerker-Songwriting.com is here to help you on this journey :) I am a songwriter who started this website just for pure fun. Then I realized from the feedback how much this information helps fellow songwriters and started to take this project even more seriously.

To follow what's happening on HitJerker-Songwriting.com, subscribe to the blog.

So look around and see which topics are the most useful for you. For example:

✓ Learn how to write hit songs

✓ Find out the secrets behind the latest hit songs

✓ Learn which home recording software is the best for you

✓ Find out how to build a modern and affordable home recording studio

✓ Get some song ideas

✓ Learn how some of the most successful and famous songwriters got to where they are today

✓ Ask for songwriting help

✓ Read the latest songwriting news

✓ Learn some essential music theory

I would like to hear your ideas, what topics you would like to know more about. To make a suggestion, go to Contact Me. I'm grateful for any constructive comments.

Have fun becoming a hit songwriter!

Recommendations to Songwriters

My Top Recommendations
to Songwriters

These are my top recommendations to songwriters below. I own and have used (or my friends have used) all of these and I/they were more than satisfied with them. These are no doubt the best products in their respective fields.

When David Foster accepted an award recently, he listed his top 10 pieces of advice for songwriters. One of them was that it's important for songwriters to learn to play an instrument. For most of them it's the piano or the guitar. Without that, you can become a songwriter but you'll never be a "complete package". You won't be able to communicate with composers/collaborators efficiently. You don't necessarily have to write music but it's important to understand how it's made.

But don't worry. Learning an instrument doesn't have to be torture. It's not like it was 20 or 50 years ago. These days there are entertaining, low-cost home-study courses that make it much simpler and faster to achieve this goal.

And before/while you are learning how to play piano or guitar, you should also get familiar with music theory. Thanks to the internet and creative professional musicians, it's now easier and faster than ever!You'll also find some tools below that I've found to be essential for songwriters.

✓ The Getting It Down Cold Music Theory Course is one of my strongest recommendations to songwriters. It's a real treasure. It takes you from beginner to advanced level in a really short time!

✓ The Gibson's Learn and Master Guitar and Learn and Master Piano courses are the best I've encountered in this field. I strongly recommend that you give them a try!

✓ Masterwriter is a software program for songwriters and especially lyricists. It contains several essentially important built-in tools. Some of them you can find on the internet (like dictionaries, thesauruses) but it's an exhausting process. And some of the important lyric writing tools in Masterwriter you simply cannot find anywhere else.

✓ Finale SongWriter is a piece of music notation software for songwriters who compose music and have at least a basic knowledge of music theory. It's quite inexpensive and helps a lot in capturing, editing and printing music you've written. I've been using Finale Songwriter for a couple of years and to me it's become indispensable.

Music Theory Course

This music theory course is the very best I've found (and I've been looking hard, believe me…). It consists of learning materials for 1 year. You get the next level every two weeks. Each of the lessons is built on the previous one so you can't get lost. 

Music theory is usually considered to be the most boring part of learning songwriting, singing or playing an instrument. It also seems to be an endless process. In music schools and colleges it really is… I don't know why. Maybe they just don't keep up-to-date with new learning methods. But a music theory course doesn't have to be tedious.

The "Getting It Down Cold Music Theory Course" has helped me really LEARN & APPLYmusic theory for the first time in my life.

When I was a child, I had music lessons. But all I remembered after those is that "in sheet music there are five lines and the higher the notes are on the lines, the higher their pitch is". That's all. So I had a LOT to learn!

Fortunately, I've found this course. When I first checked out its website, I was a little put off because I found some spelling mistakes in the course description… But that's the only "bad thing" I can mention.

This course consists of 24 lessons. You'll get a new lesson every 2 weeks - so the whole course is 12 months. By the end of this time period, you'll know as much as you'd know as a music major at college.

There are 4 main parts in this course:

• Reading Basic Notes and Working with Rhythms
• Stacking Notes and Sequences of Notes (Scales) and Keys
• Chords and Minor Keys
• Advanced Concepts of Scales and Chords

The thing that I like most about this course is that you quickly learn the principles and immediately have a chance to apply them. You even get video lessons to help you master the material more deeply.

When you order the Getting It Down Cold course, you can immediately download and read the first lesson on your computer. You don't even need to print all the information but it's advisable to print the workshop lessons because some writing practice is important.

It's price is really low and you get a lot for your money! It's easy to afford because you don't have to pay for the whole course in advance. When you subscribe, you pay the fee for the first month, then there is a monthly fee for the other 11 months. It's also risk-free because there is an 8 week - no questions asked - money back guarantee.

I strongly recommend the Getting It Down Cold Music Theory Course to songwriters!

More Recommendations to Songwriters 

Learn and Master Guitar

You've probably heard about Gibson's Learn and Master Guitar course. It's the most popular "learn guitar at home" solution and it has won several awards.

To be honest, I don't own this course because I'm not a guitar player. However, I have the Learn and Master Piano course, and it's amazing. It has cleared up many things in my head about piano playing and made me a much more advanced and confident player.

Everybody I've met - who has used Learn and Master Guitar - raved about the guitar course saying that it's even better and more comprehensive than the piano course.

The instructor of this course is a well-know guitarist, Steve Krenz, who is a dedicated teacher and has played with Grammy-winning performers.

What Does the Course Contain?

✓ There are 20 professional quality DVD's in the package, which means that you get more than 40 hours of instruction.

✓ There are also 5 so-called "Jam-Along" CDs, which contain background music you can "jam to" after you've learned the songs in the material.

✓ A lesson book which contains all the songs and exercises that you learn in the DVD lessons and more.

✓ There is also a very active student forum dedicated to the Learn and Master Guitar Course. Steve Krenz often answers students' questions there. You can also share your music, review others' and get feedback from Steve Krenz or fellow students.

Who Is This Course For?

Similarly to the Learn and Master Piano course, the guitar course covers all skill levels. Even if you're an intermediate or advanced player, it's worth skimming through the more basic lessons to make sure there are no gaps in your knowledge.

What If It Doesn't Live Up To My Expectations?

Don't worry, you have 60 days to change your mind. There is a no questions asked money back guarantee.

I Don't Have a Guitar Yet

If you don't like the hassle of going out and looking for a proper instrument plus accessories, you can order the Epiphone PR-4E Acoustic Guitar Player Pack which contains everything you'll need to get started (including the Learn and Master Guitar course itself - of course).

Complementary Courses

There are some new courses that complement the original Gibson's Learn and Master Guitar course. The aim of these courses is to help you become an even more advanced guitarist.

▪ The Learn and Master Blues Guitar course is also taught by Steve Krenz. It contains 6 DVD's - 8 hours of instruction, Jam-Along DVD's and CD's containing more than 20 songs to practice, interviews with famous blues guitar players Jack Pearson & Johnny Hiland and more.

▪ The Guitar Setup & Maintenance course helps you look after your instrument properly. This course contains 3 DVD's of practical instruction on tuning, adjusting, cleaning and maintaining your guitar.

▪ The Song Hits DVDs were created for you to have a companion to the Learn and Master Guitar course. It contains 10 DVD's of how-to-play instructions of songs that people love, e.g. Yesterday, Come Together, Heartbreak Hotel, Hallelujah, the Mission Impossible Theme and more.

Weekly Live Guitar Lessons with Steve Krenz

Steve Krenz is a truly dedicated teacher. He offers Live Guitar Lessons that you can watch on Facebook, Ustream.TV or on your phone. These lessons are held on Tuesdays at 7pm CST.

Additional Resources

If you'd like to see what the courses contain, you can download a pdf version of the lesson book, workshops and bonus resources.

Learn and Master Resources

I hope you'll enjoy this course as much as I've enjoyed the Learn and Master Piano course! :)



More Recommendations to Songwriters 

Learn and Master Piano

Learn and Master Piano is the essential piano learning course mainly for adults. It takes you from complete beginner to an advanced pianist level. It covers all the topics you need to know to be able to learn and write songs on the piano, improvise and understand theory. There are several piano learning courses out there, I've tried most of them but they were either difficult to understand and follow or simply wrong about many things.

The instructor and author of Learn and Master Piano is Will Barrow, who is a Grammy-winning pianist. He has an easy-to-understand but quirky, funny style. I liked watching the DVD's partly because of the great teaching and partly because of the feel-good and reassuring style.

When I bought this course course, I received it in a beautiful, professional looking package.

What Does the Course Contain?

✓ There are 20 professional DVD's of instruction, demonstration and workshops.

✓ There are 5 "Play-Along" CDs in the package, which contain background music to the songs you've learned so you can "play with with a band".

✓ It also contains a lesson book with information from the DVD's plus additional explanations, theory and songs.

✓ In addition, there is also a student forum with a huge number of members. Will often visits this forum and answers students' questions. Fellow pianists also chat, help and listen to each other's music there.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is for pianists at all skill levels. If you start it as an intermediate player, you should still watch the beginner lessons at least once to make sure there are no gaps in your knowledge.

What If It Doesn't Live Up To My Expectations?

You don't have to take any risks because you have 60 days to send the course back if you don't like it. They have a no questions asked money back guarantee.

I Don't Have a Piano Yet

If you don't have a piano yet, there is information in the student forum about this topic. You can find out which pianos/keyboards are the most suitable for you directly from Will Barrow. And some forum members review the piano they own.

Additional Resources

If you'd like to see what topics the course covers exactly, you can download a pdf version of the original and the updated piano lesson book.

L&M Piano Resources

So get your copy of Learn and Master Piano and I wish you the best of luck on your piano-learning journey! :)



More Recommendations to Songwriters 

Finale SongWriter

Finale SongWriter (Mac/Win) is my favorite tool to capture music I write. It is a piece of music notation software that makes composing music easier. (To use this software, it's important that you know at least a little music theory.)

In short: it helps you write down / record music and lyrics you write and then print it all.

Longer description: When I write lyrics, Masterwriter is my "go to" software. When I write music, Finale SongWriter is my "go to" software. Why? These are just some of the things you can use it for:

• You can connect your computer to a MIDI keyboard/digital piano then launch the software. Once you come up with some music you like, play it and Finale will automatically create beautiful sheet music for it.

• You can also add lyrics, even multiple lines of lyrics to the sheet music. In the end, it looks as if it was a sheet music book released by Hal Leonard Corporation (the famous sheet music publishing company) :)

• When you're happy with what your music sounds like, you can export it as MP3, MIDI or a MusicXML file. It means that you can even go on to use it in GarageBand, Logic or some other multi track recording software.

• While you're working on a piece of music, you just have to click on the notes to hear them. It's also possible to drag them to different places in the staff and hear what the change sounds like. There are 128 synthesizer sounds built-in so you can even change the instrument if you want.

• There is also a "Human Playback™" option, which means that you can listen to your music and it will sound like it's being performed live.

• You can change the tempo any time.

• You can transpose your music any time.

• You can add chords with the corresponding guitar fretboard.

• You can add custom drum grooves to the music.

• This software can automatically harmonize your music (similarly to Band in a Box).

System requirements:

Windows

✓ XP/Vista/Windows 7 (64-bit compatible)
✓ a CD-ROM drive
✓ minimum 256 MB RAM
✓ about 240 MB hard drive space

Macintosh

✓ OS X 10.4-10.7 (Mac-Intel or Power PC)
✓ a CD-ROM drive
✓ minimum 256 MB RAM recommended
✓ about 230 MB hard drive space

Other components you might want to have

✓ a MIDI interface
✓ a MIDI input and/or playback device (e.g. a MIDI keyboard or a digital piano)
✓ a Printer

These are the parts of Finale SongWriter that I often use. You can do much more with it. And this software is quite inexpensive, usually between $45-$50 on Amazon. So if you are a little familiar with music theory (and if you're a serious songwriter, you should be), Finale Songwriter will make it really easy for you to capture music you compose!

More Recommendations to Songwriters
More Songwriting Software 

Songwriting Software

OMG! There is so much variety of songwriting software! That's what you're probably thinking when you're trying to choose a piece of software that best suits your needs. All of them have strengths and weaknesses and advantages and disadvantages… I could go on all day.

You'll have to make two decisions first:

1. What are you going the use the software for? (writing, recording, editing, etc.)
2. How 'strong' and what type is your hardware? (Mac? PC?)

You'll probably use your songwriting software for one or more of these:

a) Recording & editing audio
b) Making music using loops
c) Writing lyrics
d) Writing music
e) Other

(It's worth checking out all sections below. Some of the software listed here is very complex therefore difficult to categorize.)

Luckily, there is such variety of songwriting software out there that you'll probably need only one or two pieces of software to cover all your needs.

Let's see your options:

a) Recording & editing:

• Audacity (Mac/PC) - Free digital audio editor and recording application.

• Pro-Tools (Mac/PC) - Digital audio workstation by Avid Technology. It's widely used by professionals for recording, editing and music production.

• Logic (Mac) - Digital audio workstation and MIDI sequencer by Apple. It's also widely used by professionals.

• Cubase (Mac/PC) - Digital audio workstation used for music recording, arranging and editing by Steinberg.

• Sonar (PC) - Digital audio workstation by Cakewalk. You can use it to record, mix, edit, master and output audio.

• Digital Performer (Mac) - Full-featured digital audio workstation and sequencer software package by MOTU.

More information about Multi Track Editing and Recording Software 

b) Making music using loops:

• GarageBand (Mac) - Software by Apple. It allows you to record audio, use virtual software instruments, edit MIDI, create music and podcasts. Plus it contains music lessons. It's part of the iLife software package.

• Acid Pro (PC) - Professional digital audio workstation by Sony Creative Software. It uses Acid Loops painted out across the screen to create music tracks.

• Fruity Loops aka FL Studio (PC) - Digital audio workstation by Image-Line Software. It has MIDI support, you can edit, mix, record or master audio.

• Ableton Live (Mac/PC) - Loop-based music sequencer and digital audio workstation. It's designed to be an instrument for live performances and a tool for composing, arranging, and mixing.

• Reason (Mac/PC) - This software by Propellerhead emulates a rack of hardware synthesizers, sampler, signal professors, sequencers and mixers.

• Audition (PC) - Digital audio workstation by Adobe Systems featuring a multitrack mixing/editing environment and a destructive-approach waveform edition view.

More information about Loop Editor and Recording Software

What's a loop? Wikipedia defines it as "a sample which is repeated". They are short sections of music that if you repeat, can make up a whole song or sections of a song. Loops are very popular even in commercial music. You can download some of them for free or you can buy them from loop libraries. Some pieces of multi track recording software are very good at handling loops but they weren't made exclusively for that purpose.

c) Writing lyrics:

• Masterwriter (Mac/PC) - Creative software for songwriters and lyricists used by many of the most successful songwriters. It is the most comprehensive one I've seen. The software includes Word Families, Parts of Speech, Phrases, Rhymes, Pop-Culture, Dictionary and a Thesaurus.

If you want to write lyrics, all you need is a pen and a piece of paper. However, you can take your lyric-writing to the next level, if you use songwriting software created especially for this purpose.

d) Writing music:

• Band In A Box (Mac/PC) - MIDI music arranger software, which creates a background for almost any chord progression.

• Sibelius (Mac/PC) - Scorewriter software used by composers, arrangers and performers mainly for writing classical, jazz, band, vocal, film and television music.

• Finale (Mac/PC) - It's considered to be one of the industry standards for notation software. It was created by MakeMusic.

Some people prefer to make their creative process as hassle-free as possible, others like to write and record at the same time. Some people can read music, some can't. No matter which type you are, you'll find some great music writing software that suit your needs.

More information about Music Writing Software

e) Other:

• SongFrame (Mac/PC) - It's a songwriting software program which you can use to start writing your songs, come up with and record ideas then refine your work. It helps you create the foundation of your song.

More about SongFrame

There are some pieces of music writing software that do a little bit of everything. However, usually these are not the most advanced ones. If you are or would like to be a professional songwriter, it's best to use software which is very specialized therefore it does exactly what it's supposed to do and the way it should do it. But if you're just starting out, or you prefer to begin the songwriting process with simpler songwriting software at hand, you might like this one.

If you really don't have the budget to spend on software currently, click here to check out some Free Songwriting Software.

MasterWriter Review

MasterWriter review by a fellow songwriter:


I'm a huge fan of Masterwriter. It's made for songwriters to help them write awesome lyrics. This software was created by Barry DeVorzon who is a famous songwriter himself. So he knows what songwriters need. There are some famous songwriters who use MasterWriter: Linda Perry, Gwen Stefani, Babyface and many more.


I used to have bookmarks of an online rhyme dictionary, a dictionary, a thesaurus and some other sites to help me find words that suit my lyrics perfectly. It was tedious to have to visit all these sites and have them open in tabs for a long time. Sometimes I closed all of them accidentally, it was annoying to say the least.


But I don't do that anymore. In MasterWriter all of these tools are present plus many more like a phrase dictionary, word families, parts of speech, pop culture, etc. There are a lot of options too. You can filter words by syllable number, part of speech, intensity… Plus you don't even have to be online to look for words (not that it was a problem these days but it's definitely a plus).


Sometimes when I have idea what to write about, I just find a phrase in the phrase dictionary and go from there. All in all, if I had to choose one tool that has improved my songwriting the most, I would definitely say Masterwriter.


Oh, and before I forget, it works both on Mac and PC. I have a Mac though. Just 'cause they are better :)




Edit: I've written a page about MasterWriter and how you can use it when writing lyrics: MasterWriter for Songwriters

- Eszter

Masterwriter

I've found that Masterwriter is THE most helpful software for songwriters and especially lyricists. It's a comprehensive tool that helps you spend more time with the creative part of lyric writing, instead of desperately looking for words, phrases and rhymes in dictionaries or thesauruses.

Several famous songwriters use this tool, including Gwen Stefani, David Foster, Babyface, Linda Perry and LeAnn Rimes.

My Opinion About Masterwriter

I purchased the software about a year ago. Although it's not cheap, I'm glad I did. It has helped me tremendously to come up with lyric ideas that wouldn't have occurred to me otherwise. Sometimes I managed to take my songs in a totally different and more creative direction just by coming across a special word in Masterwriter. I can't imagine what songwriters who don't use Masterwriter do when they get stuck or need new ideas. They probably collect all the tools that's in this program from different places on the internet, but it's tedious work if not impossible.

Tools in the Software

• Songs: a great way to keep a database of your songs. You can include audio too. There is also a creation-date registration service called Songuard. It comes handy if you need to prove that you own the copyright to your song. (For more information on copyright protection, visit the Copyright page.)

• Rhymes: a rhyming dictionary with over 100,000 entries and 36,000 rhymed phrases, including close rhymes, wider rhymes, x-wide rhymes and perfect rhymes. You can also choose how many syllables you want the word to contain.

• Phrases: there are more than 33,000 phrases, sayings and idioms in the database. This is my favorite part of Masterwriter! There is also a box of related words in this tool.

• Dictionary: this part is obvious. It contains The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary.

• Thesaurus: this is, again, obvious. The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Thesaurus is included in the software.

• Word Families: it's also a kind of dictionary but it's special because it helps you come up with some descriptive words and phrases for your lyrics. You can set how many syllables you want the word or phrase to contain, what part of speech it should be, what ending it should have (base word, -s, -ed, -ing). You can also filter the results according to intensity, etc. My second favorite Masterwriter tool!

• Parts of Speech: this is a list of descriptive words that you can filter according to several criteria: part of speech, ending (base word, -s, -ed, -ing), intensity, positive-negative words and alliterations.

• Pop Culture: it's a Pop-Culture Dictionary that contains more than 11,000 entries from the American World of Culture. You can choose from several sub-collections, like: The World (Countries, Landmarks, Islands, Peoples of the World, Space, Myths, etc.), The Famous (Leaders, Infamous, Artists, Fictional Characters, Sports, etc.), Food & Drink (Beers, Soft Drinks, Bars, Travel, etc.), Products (Cars, Toys, Books, TV, etc.) and The Bible (Full Bible or Old Testament, New Testament)

• Notes: in this section you can put down and save lyric ideas or whatever you want. You can even format the text.

System Requirements

Masterwriter works both on Mac and Windows computers. I have a Mac so I don't know how well it runs on Windows. But the Mac version is clearly not a native Mac application. That's the only negative thing I can say about this software. It runs on my Mac but I can always feel it's a little "difficult" for my computer. The creators should somehow make the software more light-weight. Or it's just my Mac which is not the latest model but it still works perfectly most of the time.

Mac:
PowerPC G4 1.42 GHz or better or Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 Ghz or better
OS X 10.4 or better
512 MB or more RAM, 1 GB recommended
Built-in or External Microphone
QuickTime 7.5.5 or better

Windows:
2.4 GHz or better Processor of Intel Pentium/Celeron Family or AMD Athlon / Duron Family
Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7
512 MB or more RAM, 1 GB recommended
Built-in or External Microphone
QuickTime 7.5.5 or better

I'm a huge fan of Masterwriter and I definitely didn't regret my purchase. If you're serious about songwriting, and you write lyrics, I highly recommend it, click here to get it on Amazon!


More Recommendations to Songwriters

More Songwriting Software Programs 

Multi Track Recording Software

What's multi track recording software? The types of programs that let you record separate sound sources to separate "tracks". And when you listen to these tracks simultaneously, you can hear your complete song with all the instruments. Then you can save your work and start pitching your song.

So which multi track recording software should you choose? Below you'll find some information that will hopefully help you make this decision.

Audacity

Audacity is a free digital audio editor and recording application.

Features:
✓ Platforms: Mac, PC, Linux, BSD
✓ Price: FREE
✓ Plug-in support: JACK, VST, LADSPA, LV2
✓ File format support: WAV, MP3, AAC, OGG, AIFF, AMR, FLAC, WMA
✓ Available in more than 20 languages.
✓ You can cut, copy and paste audio.
✓ It supports multitrack mixing. You can zoom, edit single tracks.
✓ Audacity features lots of digital effects and plug-ins.

Although Audacity is amazingly powerful multi track recording software program and the best of all: it's FREE, it does have some limitations. One of them is that it lacks dynamic equalizer controls and real time effects. Also, MIDI files can only be displayed.

Pro Tools

Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation by Avid Technology. It is widely used by professionals for recording, editing, music production, film scoring, film and television post-production.

Features:
✓ Platforms: Mac, PC
✓ Price: about $300-$850
✓ Other versions: Pro Tools M-Powered Essential & SE are stripped-down versions targeted at beginners.
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, RTAS, VST (partial - via Wrapper)
✓ File format support: OMF, AAF, MIDI, WAV, MP3, REX2, AIFF, SDII (Mac OS X only)
✓ In the Edit window you can view a graphic representation of the audio tracks.
✓ In the Mix window you can set and adjust the pan and volume.
✓ In the MIDI edit window you can work with your MIDI data and view them as score or piano-roll.
✓ You can also add several new features if you use some plug-ins available for Pro Tools.

Pro Tools (as the name and the price show) is a multi track recording software program for serious professionals. If you're a beginner, you should rather start out with something simpler, like GarageBand.

Logic

Apple's Logic is a DAW (digital audio workstation) and also an amazing MIDI sequencer.

Features:
✓ Platform: Mac
✓ Price: about $450-$500 (Logic Studio - a bundle of professional music applications including Logic Pro)
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST (partial - via converter), AU
✓ File format support: OMF (partial), AAF, MIDI, WAV, MP3, AAC, ALAC
✓ Logic will give you all the recording equipment you need in a professional studio, including audio effects, software instruments and synthesizers.
✓ One of Logic's supported files is Apple Loops. You can use these great-sounding loops totally royalty-free.
✓ There are some awesome audio effects included, like delays, equalization filters, dynamics processors and different kinds of distortion.
✓ You can use it with a MIDI keyboard or other control devices.
✓ Other great Logic features include guitar tab support, drum notation, chord abbreviations and musical notation with real-time scoring.

Logic's audio engine is the same as GarageBand's. It's basically a VERY advanced version of GarageBand. Or GarageBand is the stripped-down version of Logic. I don't know. The point is that this multi track recording software program is amazing and a lot of (maybe most of) the professional studios and songwriters use it.

Cubase

Cubase is a digital audio workstation by Steinberg, with the help of which you can record, arrange and edit music.

Features:
✓ Platforms: Mac, PC
✓ Price: about $75-$500
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST
✓ File format support: OMF, MIDI, WAV, MP3, REX2
✓ Cubase creates projects which allow you to edit MIDI files, raw audio tracks and other related information like lyrics.
✓ The software can present them in different formats, e.g. musical scores, editing console, event lists, etc.

Cubase is a serious multi track recording software program, not as well-known as Logic or Pro-Tools though. If you want to be compatible with most other musicians' software, it's not necessarily the best choice.

Sonar

Sonar is a digital audio workstation by Cakewalk. You can use it for recording, editing, mixing, mastering and outputting audio.

Features:
✓ Platform: PC
✓ Price: about $80-$600
✓ Other versions: Sonar Home Studio, Sonar Studio Edition, Sonar Essential Edition, Sonar LE
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST, DXI
✓ File format support: OMF, MIDI, WAV, MP3, AAC, REX2, W64, CAF, SDII, FLAC, AU
✓ With Sonar you can record and manipulate an unlimited amount of multitrack digital audio
✓ Record and edit MIDI data
✓ Apply special effects, like reverb and delay
✓ You can automate the process of mixing audio
✓ You can also utilize virtual instruments, such as software synthesizers, software samplers and software drum machines
✓ Sonar provides limited facilities for video and supports avi, mpeg, wmv and mov files.

Sonar is usually the choice of songwriters on a windows platform. It a multi track recording software program that is just as capable as any other serious digital audio workstation application.

Digital Performer

Digital Performer is a full-featured digital audio workstation and MIDI sequencer by Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU). You can use it for recording, editing, mixing, mastering and outputting audio.

Features:
✓ Platform: Mac
✓ Price: about $400-$500
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST (partial - via converter), RTAS, AU, MAS
✓ File format support: OMF, AAF, MIDI, WAV, MP3, REX2, AIFF (import/export), SDII (native)
✓ Wonderful pitch correction ability
✓ Masterworks EQ plug-in
✓ You can choose from a set of virtual instruments

Digital Performer is one of the more popular multi track recording software programs for Macintosh (besides Pro Tools and Logic). It's most notable users include Hans Zimmer, Dream Theater and Pete Townshend.

GarageBand

GarageBand allows you to create music or podcasts. It's part of the iLife software package.

Features:
✓ Platform: Mac
✓ Price: about $35-$50 (in the iLife package) or about $15 in the Mac App Store
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST (partial - via converter), AU
✓ File format support: MIDI, MP3, AAC
✓ GarageBand Jam Packs: about $100 each (Rhythm Section, Remix Tools, Voices, Symphony Orchestra, World Music)
✓ With GarageBand you can record audio, use virtual software instruments, edit MIDI and learn to play the piano or guitar with the help its music lessons.
✓ It can record and play back multiple tracks of audio.
✓ Effects
✓ Import MIDI files and play or edit them in piano roll or notation-style.
✓ You can download pre-recorded music lessons from GarageBand's Lesson Store for guitar and piano (free Basic Lessons and paid Artist Lessons by Sting, Norah Jones, Colbie Caillat, Ryan Tedder, John Legend and more).
✓ It has a standard multi-track drag-and-drop interface with different recorded sections or loops.
✓ Several software instruments are included in GarageBand (and you can purchase more - Jam Packs).

GarageBand is usually the first step for beginners. You can easily learn how to use a multi track recording software program with Garageband. It's very easy to use but it has some limitations. When you get more serious, you'll want to invest in Logic or some other DAW. But you can still create a perfect demo with this software.

ACID Pro

ACID Pro is a professional digital audio workstation software program by Sony Creative Software. It uses Acid Loops painted out across the screen to create music tracks.

Features:
✓ Platform: PC
✓ Price: about $35-$300
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST, DXI
✓ Other versions: Sony ACID Xpress (free but there is a 10 track limit), Sony ACID Music Studio (simplified, low-cost version of ACID Pro)
✓ Acidized loops sample CDs are available from Sony, as well as third party companies.
✓ It also combines full multitrack recording, mixing and MIDI sequencing.
✓ Professional effects and soft synth support is also included.

ACID Pro is not a single multi track recording software product but features a family of products.

FL Studio

Fruity Loops aka FL Studio is a digital audio workstation by Image-Line Software.

Features:
✓ Platform: PC
✓ Price: about $120-$300 (you can purchase extra plug-ins, instruments, etc.)
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST, DXI
✓ File format support: MIDI, WAV, MP3, AAC, OGG, REX2, XI
✓ FL Studio features MIDI support, editing, mixing, recording and mastering audio.
✓ Your work can be exported to wav, mp3 or the ogg vorbis format.
✓ Different sound processing effects, such as chorus, compression, delay, reverb, equalization, etc.

Something that's very nice about this multi track recording software program is that Image-Line provides users with lifetime free updates!

Ableton Live

Ableton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and digital audio workstation by Ableton. It's an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for composing, arranging and mixing of tracks by DJs.

Features:
✓ Platforms: Mac, PC
✓ Price: about $330-$800
✓ Other version: Live LE (stripped-down version)
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST, AU
✓ File format support: MIDI, WAV, MP3 (only read), AAC, OGG, REX2, FLAC, AIFF, SDII (Mac OS X only)
✓ Includes audio and MIDI effects, such as beatmatching, crossfading, chorus, eq, phaser, delay, reverb and many more.
✓ The interfaces was designed for use in live performance as well as for production.
✓ There are two built-in instruments: Impulse and Simpler. (You can purchase more instruments if you want.)

It's a great multi track software program for songwriters who also perform.

Reason

Reason is a software program by Propellerhead Software. It includes a collection of virtual instruments. It's basically a digital studio that you can use live or with another digital audio workstation.

Features:
✓ Platforms: Mac, PC
✓ Price: about $130-$400
✓ Reason is a collection of several mixers, sequencers, synthesizers, samplers and signal processors.

Reason is for the songwriters who are not interested in recording audio that much but rather use virtual instruments.

Audition

Audition is a DAW (digital audio workstation) by Adobe Systems.

Features:
✓ Platforms: Mac, PC
✓ Price: about $300-$350
✓ Plug-in support: Rewire, VST, DXI
✓ File format support: WAV, MP3, OFF, WMA
✓ Audition is a multitrack recorder that includes advanced mixing and editing functions.
✓ Audition supports virtual instruments.
✓ It also features a collection of royalty-free loops.

Audition is a popular multi track recording software program but not the most popular one. Whether you prefer it to other software is probably a question of personal taste.

I know that it's difficult to choose a perfect multi track recording software program. You'll probably have to make some compromises. But I hope this little overview helps you. As you can see, multi track recording software programs can in all shapes and sizes. And this list is not complete. I only included the best ones here.

Take your time and try one or two of these amazing multi track recording software programs before you make a purchase.

More types of software for songwriters