
A Primer on Tension and Release in Your Songwriting
Aug 31, 2018 · 1 min read
Tension and release in songwriting uses the same mechanics as good joke telling. The way you let your story — in your song or joke — unfold is what sets the table for a satisfying hook/punchline. The difference is that songs not only have words to do this but also a melody. When lyric and melody work together, they can do a lot to lead the listener along and deliver them to the satisfying arrival of your song’s hook. Learning how to consciously create the tension and release necessary in both your lyric and melody is a part of the craft that all songwriters should actively consider. Below are a few ways to do that very thing.
