Comments on: A Common Problem That Songwriters Face… http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/04/a-common-problem-that-songwriters-face/ Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:02:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Shamir Rele http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/04/a-common-problem-that-songwriters-face/#comment-85 Shamir Rele Sat, 26 May 2007 17:31:00 +0000 http://songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/?p=99#comment-85 Simon, no problem about the long post. <br/><br/>I think you probably won't fully reach you're songwriting potential if you don't hook up with *someone* that you respect as a writer or a musician. (or pref both)<br/><br/>Definitely.<br/><br/>You may get good, but the idea is to get <b>great</b>.<br/><br/>You're 15, so you're very young. You do have time on your side, and writing more and more will by default make you better each week, each month and each year.<br/><br/>You're lucky in this respect :-)<br/><br/>(I'm almost jealous).<br/><br/>But as lucky as you are, you must now use this time wisely by trying to 'hang out' with like minded individuals who you respect and even admire.<br/><br/>Are there any gigs you can go to? Any songwriting conventions? Any open mic nights? These are the places you want to be going. You will find an abundance of knowledge there.<br/><br/>Another thing is collaborating. When you do meet someone you like, you may want to write with them. Go ahead and plug yourself to these people if you wish to do so. Nobody will 'sell' for you, so you may as well network and form some partnerships.<br/><br/>Lastly, don't limit yourself to one genre. Some people have collaborated with others who are totally on the other side of the pole in terms of musical genre. An openness to learn is always a good sign. So keep that in mind. It's a GREAT trait to have in your mid-teens.<br/><br/>(I wish somebody told me that when I was in mine).<br/><br/>I hope this helps!<br/><br/>Shamir Simon, no problem about the long post.

I think you probably won’t fully reach you’re songwriting potential if you don’t hook up with *someone* that you respect as a writer or a musician. (or pref both)

Definitely.

You may get good, but the idea is to get great.

You’re 15, so you’re very young. You do have time on your side, and writing more and more will by default make you better each week, each month and each year.

You’re lucky in this respect :-)

(I’m almost jealous).

But as lucky as you are, you must now use this time wisely by trying to ‘hang out’ with like minded individuals who you respect and even admire.

Are there any gigs you can go to? Any songwriting conventions? Any open mic nights? These are the places you want to be going. You will find an abundance of knowledge there.

Another thing is collaborating. When you do meet someone you like, you may want to write with them. Go ahead and plug yourself to these people if you wish to do so. Nobody will ’sell’ for you, so you may as well network and form some partnerships.

Lastly, don’t limit yourself to one genre. Some people have collaborated with others who are totally on the other side of the pole in terms of musical genre. An openness to learn is always a good sign. So keep that in mind. It’s a GREAT trait to have in your mid-teens.

(I wish somebody told me that when I was in mine).

I hope this helps!

Shamir

]]> By: Simon http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/04/a-common-problem-that-songwriters-face/#comment-83 Simon Sat, 26 May 2007 14:32:00 +0000 http://songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/?p=99#comment-83 Hey Shamir,<br/><br/>I'm 15 and I've only been playing guitar about 6 months, but I've been encouraged to start developing my songwriting skills early so I've already attempted to write sections of a song, and what you've said (on many of your posts) is very relevant. There have been many occasions when I've come up with what I think could potentially be a really good idea. After spending an hour or two trying to lead it forwards, I have killed the idea because of over-doing it- that's when I hit a brick wall and the idea is stopped in it's tracks. I'm fussy with music. I may have a very, VERY elaborate music collection but there's only a handful of songs in there that I know I'll never get bored of. And unless I can picture the song that I'm writing being one of those life-changing tracks for someone, I give up! Maybe I'm too much of a perfectionist (always been told that I'm a perfectionist) and maybe I criticise my songs too much, but if I can't hear it coming from one of my favourite bands then I start afresh.<br/>And, as I don't really have anyone musical around, I can only jam with rhythm/lead parts on power tabs on the computer. Although on occasions (most recently today), I have created something which I think could be something really special. However, once again, I don't really have anyone here to give me constructive comments as all my family like different genres of music. I know I haven't been playing that long, but I want to get started as soon as possible. Do you reckon that it is stunting my songwriting skills growth in any way? Would be very interested to hear what you think.<br/><br/>Many many thanks,<br/>Simon<br/><br/>PS. sorry about the incredibly long post!!! Hey Shamir,

I’m 15 and I’ve only been playing guitar about 6 months, but I’ve been encouraged to start developing my songwriting skills early so I’ve already attempted to write sections of a song, and what you’ve said (on many of your posts) is very relevant. There have been many occasions when I’ve come up with what I think could potentially be a really good idea. After spending an hour or two trying to lead it forwards, I have killed the idea because of over-doing it- that’s when I hit a brick wall and the idea is stopped in it’s tracks. I’m fussy with music. I may have a very, VERY elaborate music collection but there’s only a handful of songs in there that I know I’ll never get bored of. And unless I can picture the song that I’m writing being one of those life-changing tracks for someone, I give up! Maybe I’m too much of a perfectionist (always been told that I’m a perfectionist) and maybe I criticise my songs too much, but if I can’t hear it coming from one of my favourite bands then I start afresh.
And, as I don’t really have anyone musical around, I can only jam with rhythm/lead parts on power tabs on the computer. Although on occasions (most recently today), I have created something which I think could be something really special. However, once again, I don’t really have anyone here to give me constructive comments as all my family like different genres of music. I know I haven’t been playing that long, but I want to get started as soon as possible. Do you reckon that it is stunting my songwriting skills growth in any way? Would be very interested to hear what you think.

Many many thanks,
Simon

PS. sorry about the incredibly long post!!!

]]> By: Calvin http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/04/a-common-problem-that-songwriters-face/#comment-53 Calvin Tue, 08 May 2007 00:10:00 +0000 http://songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/?p=99#comment-53 Tj, I would learn some basic chords on the guitar. As a bass player, it shouldn't take you long AT ALL to figure out some basic chords on an acoustic guitar.<br/><br/>Another option is to use Skype.com<br/><br/>You could write online... using the internet as a phone service for free :-)<br/><br/>Tommy, no you aren't being too picky. 7 to 8 versions is very normal. I've edited things many more times than that.<br/><br/>Calvin Tj, I would learn some basic chords on the guitar. As a bass player, it shouldn’t take you long AT ALL to figure out some basic chords on an acoustic guitar.

Another option is to use Skype.com

You could write online… using the internet as a phone service for free :-)

Tommy, no you aren’t being too picky. 7 to 8 versions is very normal. I’ve edited things many more times than that.

Calvin

]]> By: Tj Robertson http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/04/a-common-problem-that-songwriters-face/#comment-52 Tj Robertson Mon, 07 May 2007 09:11:00 +0000 http://songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/?p=99#comment-52 Calvin,<br/> Though I often think I have a bad song thats not my realy problem. mY problem is my inability to produce chords for my song. What I'm saying is I can only create lyrics. Now I don't know if it's a really big probablem seeing as im in somewhat of a partner ship with my best friend who can write chords so he does it for me, <b>BUT</b> when I send them to him he dosn't keep the way I want it to be sung. I wish I knew how to produce chords. Is there anything I, a bassist, can do with that? Calvin,
Though I often think I have a bad song thats not my realy problem. mY problem is my inability to produce chords for my song. What I’m saying is I can only create lyrics. Now I don’t know if it’s a really big probablem seeing as im in somewhat of a partner ship with my best friend who can write chords so he does it for me, BUT when I send them to him he dosn’t keep the way I want it to be sung. I wish I knew how to produce chords. Is there anything I, a bassist, can do with that?

]]> By: Lee http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/04/a-common-problem-that-songwriters-face/#comment-51 Lee Fri, 04 May 2007 00:50:00 +0000 http://songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/?p=99#comment-51 Calvin, thanks 4 ur tips, most of your stuff is what I have "instinctively" found myself doing and thinking, as a woman, that means to me, of course, that ur on the right track. Keep up the good work.<br/>Lee. Calvin, thanks 4 ur tips, most of your stuff is what I have “instinctively” found myself doing and thinking, as a woman, that means to me, of course, that ur on the right track. Keep up the good work.
Lee.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/04/a-common-problem-that-songwriters-face/#comment-50 Anonymous Tue, 01 May 2007 02:14:00 +0000 http://songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/?p=99#comment-50 this is honestly helping me alote, i spend most my free time just writing ideas down and when i get alittle more time i write songs, but they enver seem to sound right, not to me anyway, i have this one song called one life to live, both my close friends one of whom got me into writing lyrics and music, they both cried , but my only problem is getting it along with a beat<br/> anyways i only made this song with your help thx alote this is honestly helping me alote, i spend most my free time just writing ideas down and when i get alittle more time i write songs, but they enver seem to sound right, not to me anyway, i have this one song called one life to live, both my close friends one of whom got me into writing lyrics and music, they both cried , but my only problem is getting it along with a beat
anyways i only made this song with your help thx alote

]]> By: Angela Lansbury The Writer http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/04/a-common-problem-that-songwriters-face/#comment-49 Angela Lansbury The Writer Mon, 30 Apr 2007 22:56:00 +0000 http://songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/?p=99#comment-49 If you know of an existing songwriters' group meeting in NW London, or a songwriters' holiday, please let me know. Thanks. If you know of an existing songwriters’ group meeting in NW London, or a songwriters’ holiday, please let me know. Thanks.

]]> By: Angela Lansbury The Writer http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/04/a-common-problem-that-songwriters-face/#comment-48 Angela Lansbury The Writer Mon, 30 Apr 2007 22:55:00 +0000 http://songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/?p=99#comment-48 I'm in NW London near Harrow and would like to swap songs for critiques with other writers. Actually, if we do it on line you could be anywhere in the world.<br/>Or we could meet weekly at a pub in Hatch End. Then we can work together at using the tips and doing our daily 'homework'.<br/>annalondon8@gmail.com I’m in NW London near Harrow and would like to swap songs for critiques with other writers. Actually, if we do it on line you could be anywhere in the world.
Or we could meet weekly at a pub in Hatch End. Then we can work together at using the tips and doing our daily ‘homework’.
annalondon8@gmail.com

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/04/a-common-problem-that-songwriters-face/#comment-47 Anonymous Mon, 30 Apr 2007 17:16:00 +0000 http://songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/?p=99#comment-47 Thanks Calvin. All your tips and info is much apprec.Carl Thanks Calvin. All your tips and info is much apprec.Carl

]]> By: MICHAEL R.BOX THE AUSTRALIAN SONGWRITER http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/04/a-common-problem-that-songwriters-face/#comment-46 MICHAEL R.BOX THE AUSTRALIAN SONGWRITER Sun, 29 Apr 2007 08:13:00 +0000 http://songwritingtipsonline.com/blog/?p=99#comment-46 CALVIN, <br/>I USED TO LECTURE IN SONGWRITING A FEW YEARS AGO & I AM STILL ACTIVE WITH REGULAR WRITING OF SONGS & GUITER INSTRUMENTAL PIECES & THE ADVICE THAT I HAVE GIVEN ANY WRITER & PRACTISED MYSELF OVER THE YEARS HAS BEEN TO WRITE ,WRITE WRITE & WRITE SOME MORE & EVERY TIME YOU SIT BACK & THINK ABOUT YOUR NEWLY WRITTEN MASTER PIECES YOU GET A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT EMERGING VIEW POINT ABOUT EACH PIECE AFTER A FEW DAYS & IF YOU ARE SMART YOU START THE CHECKING OF <br/>LYRICAL METER , <br/>SYLLABLE COUNTS , <br/>MELODIC & RHYTHMIC PHRASING OF THE LINES <br/>THE STORY CONTENT OF THE VERSES THE CHORUS ( SUMMATION) OR THE BRIDGE (STORY OVERVIEW) <br/>& THE OVERALL MELODIC STRUCTURE & MUSIC DYNAMIC <br/>& FINALLY THE INSTRUMENT ARRANGEMENT / SELECTION ... <br/><br/>THE OLDEST PIECE OF ADVICE EVER GIVEN ABOUT SONG WRITING IS THIS ... <br/><br/>LYRICS & THE MUSIC MUST FIT TOGETHER LIKE A GLOVE ON A HAND....NATURALLY ...<br/><br/>NO FORCED OR ARTIFICIAL MOMENTS....<br/><br/>AND ALWAYS REMEMBER ... <br/><br/>THE BEST ARRANGEMENTS IN THE WORLD WILL NOT MAKE A POOR OR AVERAGE SONG GREAT IT WILL ONLY EVER BE A WELL ARRANGED POOR OR AVERAGE SONG... <br/><br/>A GOOD OR GREAT SONG CAN BE SUNG BY ONE PERSON & ACCOMPANIED BY 1 INSTRUMENT (GUITAR / PIANO) & IT WILL IMPLY THE ARRANGEMENT REQUIRED..<br/> <br/>IT WILL BE EVIDENT TO ALL.. <br/><br/>THE STAND ALONE TEST IS THE ULTIMATE TEST OF THE SONGS POTENTIAL ALMOST WITHOUT EXCEPTION .... <br/><br/>THE FINAL WORDS ARE TO WRITE <br/>THEN REVIEW <br/>&THEN REWRITE YOUR SONGS AS REQUIRED.. <br/><br/>SIMPLY PUT THIS IS THE CRAFT OF SONGWRITING...... CALVIN,
I USED TO LECTURE IN SONGWRITING A FEW YEARS AGO & I AM STILL ACTIVE WITH REGULAR WRITING OF SONGS & GUITER INSTRUMENTAL PIECES & THE ADVICE THAT I HAVE GIVEN ANY WRITER & PRACTISED MYSELF OVER THE YEARS HAS BEEN TO WRITE ,WRITE WRITE & WRITE SOME MORE & EVERY TIME YOU SIT BACK & THINK ABOUT YOUR NEWLY WRITTEN MASTER PIECES YOU GET A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT EMERGING VIEW POINT ABOUT EACH PIECE AFTER A FEW DAYS & IF YOU ARE SMART YOU START THE CHECKING OF
LYRICAL METER ,
SYLLABLE COUNTS ,
MELODIC & RHYTHMIC PHRASING OF THE LINES
THE STORY CONTENT OF THE VERSES THE CHORUS ( SUMMATION) OR THE BRIDGE (STORY OVERVIEW)
& THE OVERALL MELODIC STRUCTURE & MUSIC DYNAMIC
& FINALLY THE INSTRUMENT ARRANGEMENT / SELECTION …

THE OLDEST PIECE OF ADVICE EVER GIVEN ABOUT SONG WRITING IS THIS …

LYRICS & THE MUSIC MUST FIT TOGETHER LIKE A GLOVE ON A HAND….NATURALLY …

NO FORCED OR ARTIFICIAL MOMENTS….

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER …

THE BEST ARRANGEMENTS IN THE WORLD WILL NOT MAKE A POOR OR AVERAGE SONG GREAT IT WILL ONLY EVER BE A WELL ARRANGED POOR OR AVERAGE SONG…

A GOOD OR GREAT SONG CAN BE SUNG BY ONE PERSON & ACCOMPANIED BY 1 INSTRUMENT (GUITAR / PIANO) & IT WILL IMPLY THE ARRANGEMENT REQUIRED..

IT WILL BE EVIDENT TO ALL..

THE STAND ALONE TEST IS THE ULTIMATE TEST OF THE SONGS POTENTIAL ALMOST WITHOUT EXCEPTION ….

THE FINAL WORDS ARE TO WRITE
THEN REVIEW
&THEN REWRITE YOUR SONGS AS REQUIRED..

SIMPLY PUT THIS IS THE CRAFT OF SONGWRITING……

]]>