MELODIC LEAP! It’s leap year, so take a leap of musical faith. Write a melody around a large interval. Ex: "Take On Me" (A-ha), "The Simpsons" (Elfman), "Love Story" (Lai), "Over The Rainbow" (Arlen/Yarburg) Post it to the "challenges" section at fawm.org

FAWM spirit animals Helga the duck and Sloan the sloth had a productive weekend collaborating on new FAWM demos and visiting the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame! Have you ever made trips for in-person collabs during FAWM? #fawm #songwriting #music #duck #sloth #rocknrollhalloffame

Remember that this week's lyrical challenge is a LIST SONG! Write a song with a verse or chorus that uses a list structure. Examples: “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” (Paul Simon), “You’re the Top” (Cole Porter), “Vogue” (Madonna), “Friday I’m in Love” (The Cure) #fawm #fawm2024

Week2 #FAWM musical challenge: GET MODAL! Most songs are in a Major/Minor key — AKA “Ionian/Aeolian” modes. Try something new by writing in one of the other modes! Ex: “Army of Me” (Björk; C Locrian), “Gin and Juice” (Snoop Dogg; F Phrygian), “Man on the Moon” (R.E.M., C Lydian)

This week's #FAWM lyrical challenge is an EDUCATIONAL SONG! 🎓 Just because a song helps you learn something doesn’t mean it can’t be fun! Ex: “The Elements” (Tom Lehrer), “James K. Polk” (They Might Be Giants), “NaCL” (Anna & Kate McGarrigle), anything from Schoolhouse Rock!

No matter your feelings about Valentine's Day, know that FAWM loves you. ❤️ Can't wait to hear your next song! #fawm #fawm2024 #lovesongs #songwriting #music #valentine

👋 Hey there! Maybe stop doom-scrolling and go write a song instead?! If you need a starting point, try ripping off this super-famous 8-note sequence from 300+ years ago: D A B F# G D G A Happy fawming! #fawm #fawm2024 #songwritingprocess #pachelbel #pachelbelcanon

Jobs. You know,those things that keep you from fawming 24/7? That's this week's #FAWM lyric challenge! Express your elation (or frustration) about your own job/joblessness, or write an ode to your favorite occupation or person who holds that occupation! #fawm #fawm2024 #jobs

Mx it up! Try a song that switches time signature, either between song parts or by inserting a bar or two here and there in a different meter. Ex: “Blackbird” (Beatles), “Hey Ya!” (Outkast), “Africa” (Toto), “One” (Metallica) Have a great #FAWM weekend...

Your fourth and final lycial challenge for FAWM 2024 is: ANAPHORA (or REPETITION) Repeat a word or phrase at the start of successive lines (or song parts) for emphasis. Ex: "Ima Be" (Black Eyed Peas), "Suddenly I See" (KT Tunstall), "Add It Up" (Violent Femmes) Happy fawming!

Happy leap FAWM! 🎉 Here are 6 lessons from Prince’s amazing and productive career that I jotted down from somewhere (forgot the source). I feel like FAWM is when I get closest to embracing the flow of these lessons… Happy songwriting everyone, see you in March (tomorrow)!

💥 Happy 5090! 🤘 It's that time of year again, songwriting friends. Join Sloan (sloth) and Helga (duck) for a summer of new music making: 50 songs in 90 days, July 4 to Oct 1... ➡️FAWM.ORG⬅️ #fiftyninety #fawm #songwriter #challenge #collaboration #summervibes

I know, it's soooooo cliché. 🙄 This week, try writing a song around an idiom, phrase, saying, adage, or cliché you often hear. Ex: “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” (Barrett and Strong), “Poker Face” (Lady Gaga), “Goody Two Shoes” (Adam Ant). #fiftyninety #fawm #songwriting

What's your favorite example of switching between two musical styles in the same song? This week, try writing one of your own! Examples: “Chop Suey” (System of a Down), “Band on the Run” (Wings), “Proud Mary” (Ike & Tina Turner). #fawm #fiftyninety #songwriting #prompt

What's your FAWM comment style alignment? 💬 The summer "50 songs in 90 days" challenge is underway! 🤩 fawm.org (Credit to "stephenwordsmith" for coming up with the original version of this chart) #fawm #fiftyninety #songwriting #comments #alignment

Have you ever written a song about being lost? Literally or metaphorically? Give it a try. 🧭 Ex: “Lost Highway” (Hank Williams), “Can’t Find My Way Home” (Blind Faith), “Lost in the Supermarket” (The Clash). #fiftyninety #fawm #songwriting #challenge #prompt #lost #getlost

"FUC" isn't rude, it's the "FAWM ukulele club!" The uke is a cheap and simple instrument. But it invites you to just... well... "fuc around" and find out what songs you have in you! That can be eally ruseful. Are in the club? maybe in spirit? #fawm #fiftyninety #fuc #ukulele

💡 Here's an idea: base one or more song sections on a descending chord progression. ↘️ Try lowering by 4ths, scale degrees, chromatically, etc! Ex: “I Want You Back” (Jacksons), “Something” (Beatles), “Word Up!” (Cameo). Remember to share your song at fawm.org!

Songwriting is hard. What are your strategies for switching things up in a new musical section? #fawm #fiftyninety #songwriting #chords #guitar #fingers #takeittothebridge