#1
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The inner battle of writing your own music
Ever stop and say to yourself in the middle of a tune,
And so on. I can be a tough crowd, what about yourself?
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Barry My SoundCloud page Avalon L-320C, Guild D-120, Martin D-16GT, McIlroy A20, Pellerin SJ CW Cordobas - C5, Fusion 12 Orchestra, C12, Stage Traditional Alvarez AP66SB, Seagull Folk Aria {Johann Logy}: |
#2
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Here's the kind of things I say to myself when trying to write a new tune:
BTW, I never think a song is "too repetitive" or "too short". Both those characteristics are positives IMO - some of the best songs of all time are either repetitive or short (or occasionally both). But that's because I tend to over-complicate things.
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"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." - Leonard Cohen. |
#3
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TrueFire just published a two part series on songwriting featuring Ellis Paul. It’s very well done. The parts are (for now): the song and editing the song.
This is not a criticism, but it does aim you in the direction of songs with a story - which is Ellis Paul’s style. That’s no big deal. I have enjoyed listening to his thoughts - especially the second publication about editing the song. Best, Rick
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#4
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There are already so many good songs to play, why am I knocking myself out trying to do this?
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Some Acoustic Videos |
#5
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I really don't write so much now, I used to.
Lets look at both the lists: Yours: Not enough melody..... ----- Think about the "message of the lyrics and animate the melody. Where's the bass? .............. You provide this in your bass notes of the chord progression Too repetitive --- of course you need verse, chorus & bridge progressions Too short. --- Well you need to add in instrumental break or two. Too much higher registers, way too "trebly" -- change the key. What was I thinking??? .... Do it anyway. Are you serious with this??? no answer. Jon PR raised some good issues: This sounds too much like .. [don't worry about it most songs do] This sounds too much like .. [see above but change one chord] These chord changes are way too boring/generic. (sounds like a hit!) I can't get a line to rhyme with this one. [there are "near" ryhmes] I can get a rhyme OK, but I can't make it scan. (precis - or reword) These chords are getting too fancy now... (simplify) This song is now way too long/complicated. Keep it short - what would John Prine/Willie do?) The whole thing is kind of "meh". (add a bridge) Those songs I wrote 40 years ago are way better than this. And even they weren't very good.... (yeah me too!) If songwriting was easy everyone would do it. ....they do? Oh.
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
#6
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Someone once asked George Thorogood why he didn’t write songs. He said he didn’t need to because Chuck Berry already wrote em all. I take the same approach. I have a hard enough time playing songs that have long since been written without attempting to create new ones. Also, no inner battle. Over that, at least...
I’m kidding, of course. I admire people who write good songs and I’m glad people keep trying to write more of them. I’ve never even come close to writing a bad one though, let alone a good one. I’ll come up with the occasional chord progression and rhythm I like when I’m just jamming and if I like it enough, I’ll play it into one of the 100 tracks on my looper so it’ll become part of my playing. But add words? Nope, that’s not in my wheelhouse or a wheelhouse I’ve ever been motivated to visit. -Ray |
#7
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All song writers I know, as do I, go though the same self doubt and ask all these same questions. This is a good thing
Some of mine are... Does it make sense Who cares Does it captivate from beginning to end What’s the point Does it groove What I learned is to never let the doubt stop you from doing what you like to do, which is write songs (and perhaps perform them). I look back at some of the songs I have written and cringe. But they were all part of the never ending journey.
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David Webber Round-Body Furch D32-LM MJ Franks Lagacy OM Rainsong H-WS1000N2T Stonebridge OM33-SR DB Stonebridge D22-SRA Tacoma Papoose Voyage Air VAD-2 1980 Fender Strat A few Partscaster Strats MIC 60s Classic Vib Strat |
#8
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I'm finding that many times, the answer to this question is simply: me. I've written several songs that really only matter to me. Some I've shared, some I haven't.
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Original music here: Spotify Artist Page |
#9
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My favorite songwriters are John Prine, Steve Goodman, James McMurtry, Steve Earle, Slaid Cleaves, Jeffery Martin and Joe Pug. Their lyrics are so good, I have impossibly high standards that I haven't been able to meet in my own writing.
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#10
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I think it's a very good thing to be "your own most severe critic", but only to a point; I have always felt that way, since I began playing, singing and writing in earnest. Now, after some 50+ years of being on this path, I actually wish I had been a bit easier on myself, as I've gone back and re-visited old songs and/or performances and realized they were not only not bad, they were darned close to what I wanted to hear!
There was a time when I would just "throw away" pieces of music or entire songs, simply because they didn't meet the standard I was trying to uphold. It never occurred to me that I could finish a song, feel it was sub-standard... and just LET IT BE! Just because you wrote a song, doesn't mean it has to be ready for the World Stage, or for Top Forty radio (is there even such a thing anymore?). I don't know how long you've been writing tunes, but one thing I've learned FOR SURE, is that I am NOT trying or wanting to be like anyone else... and the more I attempt to constrain and funnel my songs towards a certain end, the less productive and more frustrated I get!
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"Home is where I hang my hat, but home is so much more than that. Home is where the ones and the things I hold dear are near... And I always find my way back home." "Home" (working title) J.S, Sherman |
#11
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Quote:
But I do think a song should have a universal thread if you want others to connect. It all depends on the goal
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David Webber Round-Body Furch D32-LM MJ Franks Lagacy OM Rainsong H-WS1000N2T Stonebridge OM33-SR DB Stonebridge D22-SRA Tacoma Papoose Voyage Air VAD-2 1980 Fender Strat A few Partscaster Strats MIC 60s Classic Vib Strat |
#12
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Songwriting can be approached from so many directions and nothing is necessarily right or wrong.
You can be formulaic or not. Some of the best stuff written is non-formulaic. To me confining oneself to a formula can be limiting and unfun. I only write when I'm inspired or something falls into my lap. That translates to a few songs a year. I've had the good fortune of writing a handful of songs that garnered a very positive reaction from fellow musicians. That has been sufficient for me.
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Nothing bothers me unless I let it. Martin D18 Gibson J45 Gibson J15 Fender Copperburst Telecaster Squier CV 50 Stratocaster Squier CV 50 Telecaster |
#13
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I am fortunate enough to be part of a songwriting group and we really offer a lot of support to one another. That really helps to keep the self-critical voices in check. Even having a songwriting partner can help with this part of the process. Nothing kills creativity like judgement and during the creative part isn't where the editing voice comes in anyway. That voice gets its turn later in the proceedings.
Best, Jayne |
#14
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John Mayer reveals his methods of songwriting at around 37:52 in this video:
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#15
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I think the first question that should be answered if a person is inclined to write a song is why? That one answer clears up allot of things down the road concerning writing a song.
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