Hook Mastery
The Art and Science Behind Crafting Hit Song Hooks
Are you ready to unlock the secrets to writing killer hooks?
While infectious melodies and stellar lyrics are some of the most important components of a hit, it's the hooks that keep the listener coming back for more.
This power-packed masterclass covers:
- Turning melodies into super-infectious vocal and instrumental hooks
- The most popular and effective in-section and cross-section hook techniques
- Strategically arranging hooks so that they shine without waring out their welcome
- Developing and reinforcing hooks in fresh and clever ways
- Structuring your chorus and post-chorus "hook centers" for maximum impact
- Hook foreshadowing techniques
- Strategic use of nano-hooks
- And much more!
This is a very unique masterclass.
It uses the Hit Songs Deconstructed methodology to pull back the curtain on the patterns behind today’s most infectious vocal and instrumental hooks and the techniques that make them shine.
How will you benefit?
You'll learn all the hookwriting and hook arrangement techniques that today's hitmakers are using in Hot 100 top 10 hits.
You'll gain a new lens through which to objectively assess your hook development, arrangement and delivery for maximum impact. You’ll also gain a brand new set of tools that you can immediately start using to optimize your songs and channel your creativity into songs that can compete at the highest levels.
Whether you're an aspiring songwriter or a seasoned pro looking to freshen-up your skills, this masterclass will arm you with new tools and techniques for crafting memorable and irresistible hooks.
Your Masterclass Instructor
David Penn developed the 'hit songs deconstructed' methodology in 2010, a groundbreaking approach for analyzing music that has since become the industry standard for understanding the building blocks of hit songs. His pioneering work led to the founding of Hit Songs Deconstructed, a platform that has become an indispensable resource for music professionals and academics alike. It's been integrated into the curriculums of leading universities and used to create workshops for major labels like Atlantic Records and publishers like BMG.
David's expertise and insights have been featured in podcasts and articles by esteemed publications such as Billboard, Variety, Music Week, BMI, Financial Times, and The Economist. He is a sought-after speaker, delivering guest lectures at leading universities like the Berklee College of Music, NYU, and the Frost School of Music as well as music industry events such as the Music Industry Association’s Music Biz, CD Baby's DIY Musician Conference, the Association for Popular Music’s annual conference, among others.
Beyond academia, David actively consults with labels and publishers and coaches both aspiring and established songwriters and producers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Leading music programs such as Berklee College of Music, Thornton School of Music, Frost School of Music, NYU and many others are using Hit Songs Deconstructed materials in their songwriting and production curriculums.
This masterclass will give you direct access to David Penn, the person who developed them, and you'll have plenty of time to ask him your questions!
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"I have been giving hit record analysis exercises to my students for years, but the level of depth in a single Hit Songs Deconstructed report is a full semester’s worth of information. My entire thought process as a producer, an engineer, a musician, and a songwriter are fleshed out in the pages of the HSD reports."
"Prince" Charles Alexander
Grammy-winning, multi-platinum producer, audio engineer, and recording artist and professor, Music Production and Engineering, Berklee College of Music
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"The depth, detail and level of care that Hit Songs Deconstructed exercises in their song analysis is something I want my students to aspire to. I am using their analysis techniques as a benchmark for them to apply when analyzing songs and their compositional analytics to keep them in tune with what’s happening now."
Chris Sampson
Founding Director of Popular Music Program
USC Thornton School of Music
Director of Popular Music Pedagogy
"The same day after attending my first workshop I was able to easily understand and fix my melody, and now my song is so much easier to sing and more memorable. Thank you Hit Songs Deconstructed!"
"It opened my mind to a more structured approach to the melody writing part of my own songs. The analysis are deep and logical. Everything in this is very helpful."
“This was one of the most thorough, well-presented and thought-out master classes on pop writing I have ever experienced."
"Hit Songs Deconstructed will equip you with tools that will allow you to make hit songs more consistently."
"Unbelievable wealth of knowledge to adopt into my songwriting and productions. A whole new course of actionable knowledge in which to try to achieve the apogee - writing & producing a timely Top 10 pop hit song."
"These are not just songwriting tips and tricks; these workshops are a masterclass in hit songwriting."
"I highly recommend all of the courses from Hit Songs Deconstructed. If you're a songwriter, there's always something new to be learned in their workshops and masterclasses!"
"I can't stress enough how important HSD is to any serious professional hit songwriter."
"I am stunned by the WEALTH of information available through this program, and the manner in which it was presented. Very impressive!"
"Hit Songs Deconstructed has really pushed my music to a competitive level. The instructors are at the top of their game, detailed, and cover absolutely everything that's happening in current, charting successful music."
“I've found an invaluable ally in Hit Song Deconstructed. It's more than just a resource; it's a window into the mechanics of what makes a song resonate with audiences today."
“Insight like no other into vocal melodic patterns of pop hit songs.”