by Mike Errico | Nov 16, 2021 | Music Lyrics and Life, Teaching
ASCAP songwriter Mike Errico is an accomplished recording artist, writer and professor of songwriting. He’s got a brand new book out on November 15, called Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter (Backbeat Books), which every songwriter should read pronto. Here’s an excerpt from it. When you’re done reading, check out Mike’s “What the Brain Likes” playlist, featuring brainy songs from his former songwriting students. Full article: LINK ******** Our audience is the human brain. Apologies to those who feel I’m giving the heart the short end of the stick here, but what can I tell you? Hearts can be transplanted. You know who figured out how to do that? Brains. I’m not a neurologist, but as a songwriter, I’ve done some tinkering and a little market research, and here’s what I’ve noticed: The Brain Likes to Be Right When the brain figures something out, it orders the arm to give a victorious little fist pump. We might emit a Yesss or look for some- one to high-five. These gestures are the brain throwing itself a victory parade because that’s how much it likes to be right. Also at the victory parade: dopamine, a neurotransmitter that opens the doors of the brain’s reward and pleasure centers. The victory parade runs right through those doors, and it’s a pretty kick-ass after-party. Having gotten a taste of delicious dopamine, the brain becomes restless to repeat the process. Why? Maybe it’s curious about the process, maybe it’s hooked on dopamine—and maybe that’s what curiosity is, which is a little depressing. Entrepreneurs identify the cycle (problem/solution/victory parade/search for more problems)...
by Mike Errico | Oct 18, 2021 | Uncategorized
Errico is a musician and teacher with a knack for explaining complex songwriting concepts in simple terms, drawing on experts from other fields for context (like astrophysicist Janna Levin, who explains the benefits of repetition). His book covers a lot of ground, but we’re going to dial in on chapter 8: Mission Songs, to examine the songs that make the statements for the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Mary J. Blige, and Britney Spears. Read the article here. Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter “The songwriting class you always wish you’d taken, taught by the professor you always wish you’d had.” Coming November 15, 2021 on Backbeat Books PRE-ORDER HERE: Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Books Are Magic MUSIC Bandcamp | iTunes | Spotify | SOCIAL Instagram | Facebook | Twitter ...
by Mike Errico | Oct 18, 2021 | Uncategorized
Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter is a wonderfully written book that will inspire songwriters to be themselves…Mike Errico does a fantastic job of giving his readers much to think about when writing a song. I recommend this book to anyone who is or wants to write creatively. Read the rest here. Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter “The songwriting class you always wish you’d taken, taught by the professor you always wish you’d had.” Coming November 15, 2021 on Backbeat Books PRE-ORDER HERE: Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Books Are...
by Mike Errico | Oct 18, 2021 | Music Lyrics and Life
Guaranteed results. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mike Errico...
by Mike Errico | Sep 29, 2021 | Music Lyrics and Life
Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter “The songwriting class you always wish you’d taken, taught by the professor you always wish you’d had.” Coming November 1, 2021 on Backbeat Books PRE-ORDER HERE: Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Books Are Magic View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mike Errico...
