But what is it that makes a song, a song? ...we’ll get to that in just a bit.
I remember it very vividly the moment when I came to the revelation where I shifted swiftly from the traditional paradigm from “teaching music lessons”, to empowering students to experience music artistry through the lens of creating their own original works/songs. My students all still learned music language (theory), instrument and vocal technique... but over time, lessons and classes manifested into a catalog of works they had to show for with original pieces of their own. That was when I “retired” from teaching, at the age of 26. From then on, I have only been an artist; be it performing, composing, recording, or now... a learning artist.
Finale photo of all student and professional artists that took the stage at the showcase in Southern California.
Click this link to see a short video as a glimpse of how this paradigm is being cultivated here in Southern California: Southern California Artist Showcase
As much as it’s truly amazing and completely fulfilling to to see all of my students experience what I am sharing with you now, I have come to discover... there’s even more! Specifically as it relates to empowering human potential and growth, the power of a song is capable of teaching us about many other domains of life.
Johannes (10yo) crating lyrics for the melody he just created for his original songs.
Allow me to take a stab at framing a bit more of what I mean with this simple table chart below. On the left column you’ll see my definitions of the key elements of a song. I am aware that there are other parts of a song that could easily and justifiably be included, but for the purposes of showing the parallel correlation to life skills, please accept my definition for now. I’d welcome your ideas however!
Key Element of a Song
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Life Learning
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Application
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Melody is the most unique property of a song. In all of the varieties within the pop context of music anyway, it’s a combination of lyrics (words) and a tune; primarily one that stands out and is more memorable above all other musical elements.
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Individuality and Personality - in all of the valuable lessons and skills we could teach our younger generations, identity seems to be the most difficult truths to get young people to discover and find peace with.
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By understanding the importance of a melody in a song, It is a perfect conceptual relationship to help a young individual realize the value of their own uniqueness.
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Harmony is the blending of multiple notes into one cohesive sound in order to establish a base or foundation for the melody to be supported by.
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Community or Oneness of Group - with mass marketing messages communicating strongly for individuals to focus on self-serving and islanding ideals, the reality is that we are better together and and most of life begs that we function in communities.
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By connecting the powerful relationship amongst complementing sounds, instruments, and voices, it’s a clear and simple tool to help elevate awareness and sense of community.
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Form is the structure of the song. Just like in any story, it has to begin and go somewhere, and have something in between. It’s the process or journey of how a certain “musical story” is told and how it frames what is being communicated.
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Order - there’s order and structure in all of life. Be it in a school, work, family, or relational environment... there’s always a framework, for us to then freely explore and operate in. But with no order, a potentially unproductive, destructive, and harmful environment is created.
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Through experiencing the success that comes from a craftful awareness and use form and how it functions in the songwriting process, that connection can be easily leveraged to show the value of structure, or order in all facets of life.
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Genre - the unique style or specific kind presentation of the song. Think about how you organize and access all of the kinds of music on your favorite digital media player or device.
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Culture - though culture is commonly thought of in the context of geographical, societal, and religious segmentations of people (though very important), it can also be understood in other domains like in businesses, churches, homes, schools and communities.
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By listening to different kinds of music and being able to identify where its’ origins and relatedness together, it would make way for an easy introduction and powerful lens to teach an individual or group about any kind of culture.
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One of my best friends and mentor, Dr. Carroll Rinehart, has always led and empowered me best not with great answers, but with great questions. Allow me to attempt to do the same... whether or not you are a musician or songwriter, I’d like to pose to you the following questions to see what might be your revelations and discoveries could be as it relates to how the power of a song can create a significant impact on individuals, from your perspective.
- How can a song be connected to other domains of learning and life?
- What is actually happening in the process of writing song from a neurological standpoint?
- What are all of the social issues that could be solved through the power of a song?
- What might be your question regarding the power of a song that could potentially evoke a change you might be seeking?
Would love your ideas, questions, and feedback. I look forward to hearing from you!
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Corey J. Ferrgugia
Artist | Founder & Leader of MyTown Music®
corey@mytownmusic.com 
