My new book Songwriting Strategies: A 360º Approach (Berklee Press/Hal Leonard, 2014) presents a comprehensive approach to songwriting I call 360º songwriting.
This site is an archive of supplemental resources about songwriting methods and techniques, including:
- Expanded exercises and detailed explanations of material in the book;
- Community forums where readers, and songwriters more generally, can exchange ideas and questions sparked by the book;
- Discussion of example songs and repertoire;
- Creative work—by myself, students and alumni, and other songwriters—showing 360º principles applied in real songs.
About Mark Simos
Mark Simos, associate professor in songwriting at Berklee College of Music, is a renowned songwriter, composer and tunesmith, teacher and writer. Over four-plus decades, Mark’s songs and “tunes from imaginary countries” have stretched musical boundaries with innovative melodies and harmonies and intricately crafted lyrics, bringing a contemporary sensibility to “neo-traditionalist” forms.
Over one hundred and fifty of Mark’s compositions have been recorded by artists, including Americana supergroup Alison Krauss and Union Station, Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, and Laurie Lewis. He’s co-written with artist/writers such as Lisa Aschmann, Australian rock icon Jimmy Barnes, Catie Curtis, and the Infamous Stringdusters’ Andy Hall. He’s featured on many recordings as a fiddler and guitar accompanist, and has recorded an acclaimed song-cycle album, Crazy Faith, and four albums of original and traditional fiddle music.
At Berklee, Mark creates innovative curriculum in 360° songwriting, collaboration and co-writing, guitar techniques for songwriters, and tunewriting, and leads Berklee’s American Old-Time Ensemble. He also continues to perform and teach at workshops, camps, festivals, and retreats worldwide.