“Once upon a time…” or Musical Storytelling 101

Everyone likes a good story, so if you want to write a song or play a tune that resonates with your listeners, one way is to make sure you’re telling a story.

It’s not just with lyrics: The old jazz musicians said that they were “telling a story” through their instruments. (Why don’t most of today’s jazz musicians do the same?)

Think of all the great songs that tell a story, literally:

Cab Calloway’s “Minnie The Moocher”
The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby”
Elton John’s “Bennie and the Jets”
Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida”

By the way, you get extra credit if know the opening 4 words of Bob Dylan’s iconic song, “Like A Rolling Stone.”

Go ahead, tell us your story! We’re waiting 🙂

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