Write Me A Song | A Songwriting Podcast
Write Me A Song | A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty
Episode 4: Write Me An Odd Meter
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Episode 4: Write Me An Odd Meter

Songwriter Fini Bearman challenges Olivia to a time-signature task...
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Welcome to the fourth episode of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty! Thanks for joining us on this journey so far. Take a listen to this week’s songwriting challenge and don’t forget we’d love you to get involved too! Scroll down to read this week’s homework and the submission link.

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🎵 Episode 4: Write Me An Odd Meter

This week we have our first ever guest! We’re so excited to have other songwriters on this show, and today we’re talking to singer, songwriter and composer, Fini Bearman. We talk about odd time signatures, spicing up your chord choices, and using details in your lyrics.

Listen to the episode to see what challenge she assigns us!


🎹 Songwriting Homework #4

This week, we want you to write us a song in the 5/4 time signature. That’s five beats to a bar.

Here’s your homework:

  1. Choose a song of yours which has been sitting around for a while, which feels a bit dead.

  2. We recommend doing this challenge in 5/4, where there are 5 beats to a bar. Play something on the piano or the guitar, record it into your music software and loop it.

  3. Try singing the melody of your old song over the top of this loop… and take it from there!

  4. Extra challenge: put in a place name, object or noun that places you (like ‘Catford Bridge’)

  5. Record a demo and send it in!

Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below.

Share Your Work

📚 Episode References

Mentions from today’s episode:

  • 💻 Fini’s website

  • 📱 Fini on Instagram

  • 🎟️ Tickets for Fini’s Album Release Show on 14th March in London

  • 🎵 Seven Days by Sting

  • 🎵 Closure by Taylor Swift

  • 🎟️ Tickets for Olivia’s Album Release Show on 6th March (today!!)

  • 🎟️ Tickets for Edward’s String Quartet Show on 3rd April

    ✒️ Lyrics

    I don’t know what I’ve given you

    Tuesday evening kinda muse

    A quick call when you get home

    A quick thought on your pillow

    But I know what you’re giving me

    Stealing looks in the library

    I get off on Ossington street

    On the corner but you don’t see

    Oh ain’t it funny

    I thought you would figure it out

    Oh ain’t it funny

    But nobody’s laughing now

    I pray daily for clarity

    Wake up, walk up, kiss me

    But you take the train I take the bus

    The penny better hit one of us

    In my mind we’re dancing it’s perfect

    Hand in hand but not round the subject

    I reach out feel I can touch it

    But are you gonna touch me?

    Oh ain’t it funny

    I thought you would figure it out

    Oh ain’t it funny

    But nobody’s laughing now

🎸 Find Us Elsewhere…

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