Question(s) for the guitar playing (or other instrument) Songwriters

[Chipotle]

Originally Posted by ghostnote

I chose 1/month because that's the closest choice in the poll, but it really doesn't work like that. I've usually got 2 or 3 songs in various stages of completion at any one time.

That's me too. I gig regularly though not too often (once or twice a month) doing a lot of originals. I'm not too prolific so I probably average a new song a month, but sometimes I have several in the works at once. Other times I may just have one that's active, or just a few ideas rolling around the back of my head.

[H165]

I voted one per month, but, like others here, that's sot of a meaningless average in my case. Waves of six over three weeks, and then none for 5 months, is more like it.

So, is it a hobby, a passion and/or do you make money doing it?

Passion; with the goal of a well recorded song which gets the original song concept over to the listener with the fewest words and maximum effect. I think it was Papa John who remarked on how difficult it is to transfer emotions to vinyl.

Are you involved with a local songwriting community?

Was in a songwriting group (Los Angeles) which was informally led by Nik Venet. Lots of education.

Are you involved with online (or in person) songwriter gatherings and/or critiques?

Not for the past 12 years. Before that, a very interesting song circle which was half performance, half songwriting.

[The Bard Rocks]

I've never really wanted to write songs and do not think of myself as a songwriter. But there's 70-80 of them now and I'm now doing my first full-scale receding of my own stuff. Usually I don't sing my own songs and I rarely sit down to write one.

The melodies come when noodling. When I like something that has discovered me, I start playing it, trying to refine what I hear (and trying to play it the same way twice when I do something I like). Then I think of what kind of song it sounds like to me. (If any, I write as many instrumentals.) Once that is identified, the initial words come pretty fast. After that comes a much longer period of refining them. No song is considered finished until it's written down in notation and/or recorded. Sometimes there are several in year, maybe once a month. And then there are droughts. But since I do not consider myself a songwriter, I don't mind these dry periods. The songs will come when they come. I don't go looking for them. Over the years, it's been pretty random.

[Mbroady]

Ok, figured I should respond to my own questions
First, I am currently in week 3 of a 10 week “write a song a week journey”
It is a challenge and in no means am I coming up with what I consider a great song.
But the ideas are solid and each song as some potential lines and musical motifs.
Once the ten weeks are up I will start rewriting. That can take weeks, months, or years, but the goal is to find time every day to write and revise.

So, is it a hobby, a passion and/or do you make money doing it?
It is a hobby that I am very passionate about. Use to make a living in a cover band but never with original stuff

Are you involved with a local songwriting community?
Pre pandemic I was an open mic junkie. I also love going to
Songwriter workshops and songwriter festivals (bit bummed that Swannanoa gathering, as well many other events have been and continue to be canceled due to the pandemic but better safe then sorry.


Are you involved with online (or in person) songwriter gatherings and/or critiques? If yes what are they?
I have 2 groups that I take part in. One is a monthly gathering (though it is now on line) it is/was a local gathering for me in Asheville. The other is a once a week gathering. It is NY based but is now on line. This one has been around for decades. The premise is bring a new song every week, unless it’s a rewrite of lasts week song. Playing your best hits is discouraged, unless it’s new.
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[Dru Edwards]

Great thread!

For me, songwriting is a passion that I've been doing for over 30 years. Actually, as soon as I started playing guitar I started writing songs in many genres.

[jaymarsch]

Yes, great thread!

I answered once a month though I usually have 4 to 6 songs in various stages of completion every month (new song idea, research, re-writing, arranging, practicing singing). I write or re-write most days, even if it is for only 15 minutes.

So, is it a hobby, a passion and/or do you make money doing it?
A total, passionate, serious hobby for me.

Are you involved with a local songwriting community?
Yes, I belong to the West Coast Songwriter's Association, perform at their open mics now and then, and meet monthly with a local songwriting group which has about 12 members in it. We hold 1 - 2 showcases a year. Before Covid, it was in person at a local theater venue, on Zoom this year.

Are you involved with online (or in person) songwriter gatherings and/or critiques? If yes what are they?
I have taken ZOOM classes with Jeffery Pepper Rodgers, Mary Gauthier, Gretchen Peters, and Amy Speace. Very supportive classes that encourage more than critique but foster honest discussion about what it is you want to express and the tools and tips to get you there.

Best,
Jayne

[DCCougar]

I guess I'm more a composer than a songwriter. I used to do maybe a dozen multi-part sort-of-soft-jazz instrumentals a year, not writing them out but recording them. Been kind of busy lately, though, moving from one state to another... Still, looking to get back into it... (Example)