Joe Rowley Music
The blog / Songwriting

Songwriting lessons

Each of my YouTube lessons, written up so you can read it, skim it or come back to it while you practise. Every post has the video and links to the free tools that go with it.

TechniqueSoloingChords & RhythmPracticeTheory & FretboardMetalMindset

October 2026

9:03
Songwriting

An Easy Way to Write Songs on Guitar: The Drop D Drone Method

Write songs without much chord theory: put a melody over the open low D in drop D, then flip it, add octaves, power chords, distortion and fingerstyle patterns.

September 2026

7:27
Mindset

Complexity Is an Option, Not a Goal: Rethinking Creativity on Guitar

A reframe for improvising and writing on guitar: who you're playing for, whether you're impressed or actually enjoying it, and a simple listen-back test.
5:29
Metal

Five Habits That Make Metal Riffs Boring, and How to Fix Them

Predictable palm muting, open-string roots, too many techniques, no rhythmic space and aimless melodies. Five fixes to make your metal riffs more interesting.

August 2026

7:10
Songwriting

How to Use Modes in Your Songwriting With Two Simple Chord Swaps

Get a modal sound in your songs without heavy theory. Swap a chord's major or minor quality, or move it up or down a fret, plus when to use it and when not to.

April 2026

16:00
Songwriting

10 Ways to Be More Creative on Guitar (Plus One Bonus Tip)

Creativity on guitar is a skill you can train. Ten practical ideas, from the 80/20 rule and randomisation to exploring extremes, plus how to develop a phrase.

Nothing matches that yet. Try another word, or ask me and it might be the next lesson.

Want feedback on your own playing?

Reading about it is a good start. In my Online Guitar Mentorship you send me clips whenever you like and I tell you exactly what to work on next.

See the mentorshipFree guitar tools