Song Starter
By Emi Jarvi
The rules of Song Starter are:
1) A song is done when it has two verses and a chorus
2) The song doesn’t have to be good, it just has to exist
And that’s it! Time to get writing.
Song StarterAug 15, 2021
Counting Days
What kind of song do you get when you finally get to book a trip home after not being back for almost 2 years?
Get the raw tracks
If you’d like the tracks to remix or mess around with, email me at mail@emijarvi.com, message me on Twitter at @emiliabeth or message me on Instagram at @emijarvi.
Audio tracks include
Lead vocal, two vocal double tracks in the chorus, vocal harmony and double-tracked harmony. Key: C major. Tempo: 105 bpm.
Write with me!
Think of something that bugs you a little bit and write a song about it.
42 The Beeches
What kind of song do you get when you think of a place that’s meaningful to you, get out a map, and include place names?
Get the raw tracks
If you’d like the tracks to remix or mess around with, email me at mail@emijarvi.com, message me on Twitter at @emiliabeth or message me on Instagram at @emijarvi.
Massive thank you to Akito Goto for the amazing cello and violin work - akitogoto.com.
Audio tracks include
Lead vocal, two cello parts, one violin part, midi acoustic guitar. Key: G major. Tempo: 100 bpm.
Write with me!
Go to Bandlab, pick an instrumental track and write something over it - bandlab.com.
Back to Normal
Download the audio files from emijarvi.com/songstarter .
Audio tracks include: Lead vocal, double track chorus vocal, low and high vocal harmonies in the chorus, and ukulele. Key: G major. Tempo: 110 bpm.
Write with me! The prompt for the next episode is: Write about something you’ve been waiting for for a long time.
An Apple, a Cracker, and a Piece of Cheese
What kind of song do you get when it's snack time for your 5 year old?
Download the audio files from emijarvi.com/songstarter . Audio tracks include: Lead vocal, upright bass (midi), snaps, congas, and the occasional chime.
Key: A minor. Tempo: 145 bpm. Audio files are provided both with and without effects.
Write with me! The prompt for the next episode is: Get out a map of a place that means a lot to you. Write a song about it and include place names.
Nobody There
What kind of song do you get when you're writing about a lie that's gone off like a bomb in somebody's life?
Download the audio files from emijarvi.com/songstarter . Audio tracks include: Lead vocal tracks, double tracked chorus vocals, 6 vocal harmony tracks, midi guitar, midi plinky-plonky bells, claps and shaker.
Key: A minor. Tempo: 150 bpm. Audio files are provided both with and without effects.
Wait In Line
What kind of song do you get when you’ve just had your Covid vaccine? Plus the first response from a listener! Super excited!
Download the audio files from emijarvi.com/songstarter .
Audio tracks include: Finger-picked ukulele, a kinda poignant lead vocal, whisper tracks in the chorus and occasional harmonies.
Vibe: folky and whispery. Key: G major. Tempo: 136 bpm. Audio files are provided both with and without effects.
The Difference
What kind of song do you get when you have a new job and you’re stressed out of your gourd?
Download the audio files from emijarvi.com/songstarter .
Vibe: Folky and wistful. Key: Cmaj. 120 and 150 bpm.
Audio tracks include: Ukulele, solo vocals for the A section, 3-part harmonies in the B section.
Unless You Change It
What kind of song do you get when the prompt is “write a song where nothing ever really happens”?
Download the audio files from emijarvi.com/songstarter .
Piano by James Carmichael, lyrics and melody by Emi Jarvi.
Vibe: chill and vibey. Key: G minor. 70bpm.
Audio tracks include: A repeating grand piano chord progression, a chill and vibey vocal melody, 16 tracks of vocals harmonies.