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Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Songwriting - a creative process My old method of writing was to sit with a notebook & pen and my guitar, and just start playing... I'd fool with different chord progressions and just sing whatever came to my mind until I found a scrap of lyric that resonated with me. I'd continue, improvising melody, lyric and chord progression. During this process the most important thing to me was how the song "felt". The vibrations and energy in my body as I sang were most important... if I was moved in some way, if I had tears in my eyes as I sang or if it made me laugh or feel good, then I wrote it down. Say at that point I had two lines I really liked. Then I'd sing those two lines and improvise a line after them. I'd continue to improvise until I found the next line. Sometimes that next line would come two weeks later... but I'd keep mulling around with what I had until inspiration hit for the next part. Other times the whole thing would just flow out of me in one sitting. Nice when that happens - but you can't force it, it comes when it comes, you have to have your antenna up and immediately run to write it down or record it in some way... or sing it over and over in the hopes that you won't forget it before you get home cause it's really hot and is really and truly the perfect next line. Obviously the organic response of my inner spirit was and is a big part of this writing process. The sensations within me as I play and sing are my touchstones, my guides to what is "working" for me. As I put my first songs out for feedback, I received critiques that my melodies were meandering (I come from a classical background, I thought repetition within a section was boring) and that the sections in my songs lacked sufficient contrast, my songs were usually too long (5 to 6 minutes of music). I began to understand that my organic process was vital in creating something unique, but was just the first step in crafting a song. Now I usually begin with lyrics. The reason for that is simple: the lyrics set the structure, and form & structure, good rhyming, visual imagery, etc., take time to craft. Once I have crafted the lyrics to my satisfaction, then I keep them on my desk and read them over now and then… sometimes I’ll play a little with music and nothing will come… another time I might get a line or two -- so my process with music is that same organic process as I've described above, but it has a frame of reference. I’ll improvise (singing) repeatedly, trying different chord progressions, and then sing the stuff I like over and over until I can remember it… I’ll usually record a verse & chorus once I’ve got the basics together. IMO, the process of creating (no matter what it is) can't be rushed and may take two hours, two days, or two months (in one case, I think it took 3 years lol). Sometimes people say to me "is there anything you don't do" (and the answer is, 'yes, there are many things I don't do lol'), but I believe that diversity is tremendously important in keeping the creative spirit engaged. So if I work on painting a picture, or cook a nice meal, or make a piece of jewelry, or edit a book, or go for a walk in the rain, or smell the newly blossoming lilacs, or hug a friend, or have a really yummy cup of coffee, it's just as important to my process as taking guitar lessons or participating on a songwriting board, or singing. My teaching is also very important to my process... I am honoured that my singing students share their individual vocal & creative journey with me, they keep me focussed... and everything I say to them I also say to myself... which is often a very good thing lol. Songwriting boards I recommend: http://songwriter101.com/forum/ http://www.justplainfolks.org/ Creative resources: - if you have the motivation, I highly recommend "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. It was the reading (and DOING) of this book that galvanized me to begin painting, songwriting and 'playing' again... and paying attention in my life again; - I also highly recommend Bob Baker's blog & books - always inspiring -- www.thebuzzfactor.com; - for songwriters, books by John Braheny, Jason Blume and Pat Pattison are great resources as well. Vikki Flawith blogs at: Songwriting & the creative process: http://www.theshysinger-songwriter.blogspot.com/ Songwriting & the music industry http://wisebird.blogspot.com/ Blogger News Network is advertiser-supported, and your visits to our advertisers help BNN to meet its expenses. Help keep us afloat! posted by Hummin'bird :-) at 11:52 PM |
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