Thursday, March 17, 2011
“Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two.”
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Copyrighting
Kaitlin asks: "I have some songs that I'd like to get copy-written so I can play them at gigs and post them up for the public to hear. How do you go about doing this? Do you worry much about trying to "protect" your stuff?"
I do think it's really important to register the copyright of your songs. When we write, we're hoping that our songs will connect with and touch a large number of people. And if we're fortunate enough for this to happen, we want solid, undeniable proof that it belongs to us. The best way to do this is through the United States Copyright Office (http://www.copyright.gov/). You can register online through the Electronic Copyright Office and it doesn't take too long. The downside is that it does cost $30.00 per copyright and you'll hear back in about 6 months. However, I still suggest this as the best way to protect yourself and I wager that if it became necessary to put it to use, you would be thankful for the investment.
Thanks Kaitlin!
Megan
I do think it's really important to register the copyright of your songs. When we write, we're hoping that our songs will connect with and touch a large number of people. And if we're fortunate enough for this to happen, we want solid, undeniable proof that it belongs to us. The best way to do this is through the United States Copyright Office (http://www.copyright.gov/). You can register online through the Electronic Copyright Office and it doesn't take too long. The downside is that it does cost $30.00 per copyright and you'll hear back in about 6 months. However, I still suggest this as the best way to protect yourself and I wager that if it became necessary to put it to use, you would be thankful for the investment.
Thanks Kaitlin!
Megan
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Finding Inspiration For Melodies
Thanks everyone for your input on the last post! Keep it up! Here are few thoughts on writing melodies, including the process I go through when I write.
1. Play An Instrument
You'll find that being able to competently play an instrument is essential to writing melodies/chords. Pick up guitar, piano, ukulele, or any other instrument that appeals to you. You can write on any instrument. I personally do most of my writing on lapsteel. Further, the ability to pick up multiple instruments can be very helpful. If I find myself stuck in writing a melody on my lapsteel, I usually switch to dobro, which gives me a "creative jolt", so to speak.
2. Do Your Research!
Listen to as much music as you can get your hands on. Go outside your comfort zone in listening as well; don't stick with your favorite genre only. Listen to rock, jazz, classical, folk, pop, latin... the list goes on and on. Turn on the radio and listen to what's popular (even if it can be quite painful occasionally). Listening to the melodies that other people have come up with is immensely inspirational. Consider the Albert Einstein quote "the secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources" or the quote attributed to Pablo Picasso "good artists borrow; great artists steal". With this, I'm not intimating that we should consciously rip off other people's songs. I just think that great songwriters take what's already been done, build upon it, and make it their own. This is a healthy forward motion and is seen in many fields. Think of the sciences: the next generation builds upon and moves forward with the work of the previous generation. Listening to a lot of music facilitates the percolation of previous artists' work into your own writing. Note, however, that it is important to listen to many different kinds of music, because you don't want to be a copy of someone else. You want new combinations; you want a piece of a bluegrass melody you once heard to mysteriously work itself into your hard rock song.
3. Chords
Al asks: "I struggle more with squeezing an original melody from the key/chord progression/pattern.....any thoughts?" Now, of course everyone's writing style is different and there are many, many ways to arrive at the same outcome. But, when I write, very rarely do I write the chords first. Because there so many different chords that can fit with the same note, I suggest writing the melody first before the chords. Here's my melody writing process: I sit down with my instrument and noodle on it while letting my mind wander. Eventually, a run of notes will pique my interest (here's where that "research" comes into play), then I'll focus on fleshing out that melody. If I like it enough, I test it out with my voice, usually humming or singing gibberish lyrics. Then I experiment with chords behind the melody to decipher which chords bring out the melody the most. Experimentation is key. After that I decide if it's good enough to be fitted with lyrics or start over again. Also, make sure to always, always record your ideas, because you will forget them!
Do you have any questions? Send them to me and I'll give you my thoughts!
Megan
1. Play An Instrument
You'll find that being able to competently play an instrument is essential to writing melodies/chords. Pick up guitar, piano, ukulele, or any other instrument that appeals to you. You can write on any instrument. I personally do most of my writing on lapsteel. Further, the ability to pick up multiple instruments can be very helpful. If I find myself stuck in writing a melody on my lapsteel, I usually switch to dobro, which gives me a "creative jolt", so to speak.
2. Do Your Research!
Listen to as much music as you can get your hands on. Go outside your comfort zone in listening as well; don't stick with your favorite genre only. Listen to rock, jazz, classical, folk, pop, latin... the list goes on and on. Turn on the radio and listen to what's popular (even if it can be quite painful occasionally). Listening to the melodies that other people have come up with is immensely inspirational. Consider the Albert Einstein quote "the secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources" or the quote attributed to Pablo Picasso "good artists borrow; great artists steal". With this, I'm not intimating that we should consciously rip off other people's songs. I just think that great songwriters take what's already been done, build upon it, and make it their own. This is a healthy forward motion and is seen in many fields. Think of the sciences: the next generation builds upon and moves forward with the work of the previous generation. Listening to a lot of music facilitates the percolation of previous artists' work into your own writing. Note, however, that it is important to listen to many different kinds of music, because you don't want to be a copy of someone else. You want new combinations; you want a piece of a bluegrass melody you once heard to mysteriously work itself into your hard rock song.
3. Chords
Al asks: "I struggle more with squeezing an original melody from the key/chord progression/pattern.....any thoughts?" Now, of course everyone's writing style is different and there are many, many ways to arrive at the same outcome. But, when I write, very rarely do I write the chords first. Because there so many different chords that can fit with the same note, I suggest writing the melody first before the chords. Here's my melody writing process: I sit down with my instrument and noodle on it while letting my mind wander. Eventually, a run of notes will pique my interest (here's where that "research" comes into play), then I'll focus on fleshing out that melody. If I like it enough, I test it out with my voice, usually humming or singing gibberish lyrics. Then I experiment with chords behind the melody to decipher which chords bring out the melody the most. Experimentation is key. After that I decide if it's good enough to be fitted with lyrics or start over again. Also, make sure to always, always record your ideas, because you will forget them!
Do you have any questions? Send them to me and I'll give you my thoughts!
Megan
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Finding Inspiration For Lyrics
Songwriting can be a very rewarding, satisfying, lucrative, therapeutic undertaking. However, many consider songwriting to be esoteric and inaccessible. With enigmatic notions such as Muses and the volatile guiding light of inspiration, there is a curious shroud of mystery surrounding songwriting. However, just like any pursuit, songwriting is a craft that can be perfected by a process of hard work and consistent practice. Here are a few thoughts about getting inspired for lyrical writing.
1. Think of Creativity as a Muscle
We all know that if we don't exercise our muscles they will waste away. Try to start thinking of creativity and inspiration as more of a muscle and less of an elusive quality. Put yourself in a position to become inspired by inspiring yourself. What are things that will, without fail, fill you with feeling and emotion? Maybe it's a beautiful view, pictures, colors, a person, or a place. Whatever it may be, come back to it often and try to pinpoint exactly how you feel and why you feel it. Challenge yourself to put the feeling into words. Chances are you'll be describing an emotion many people have felt, which is key in connecting with people via your writing. The more you practice this, the easier it will be for you to describe your own emotions, and you'll be ready when inspiration hits. Exercise those creative muscles!
2. Study People and Their Emotions
Building a believable story is key in any writing venture: be it a short story, novel, poem, or lyric. Having an understanding of the universal human emotions will give you a leg up in building a believable, identifiable lyric that your listeners can buy into. Pay attention to not only your own emotions and actions, but the emotions and actions of others. Why do people do the things they do? Why do they say the things they say? Why do they feel the things they feel? In the same way that an author performs in depth research to insure the accuracy of their writing -whether fiction or nonfiction-, our stories in lyrical writing should be as authentic as possible. The key here is to be aware and take note of how we, as people, interact with one another. How do we respond to situations? What do these situations make us feel? We've all felt love, happiness, sadness, and loneliness, ect. Play off these universal emotions in your lyrics with sincerity and you'll be able to connect with many, many people.
3. Recognize the Importance of Reading
Read, read, read! Writing well is knowing how to turn a phrase. If you read works often by authors who can write with fluidity, ingenuity, and cleverness you'll find it easier to think in a similar fashion. Read classics, read poetry, read novels, autobiographies, and humor. You probably won't even realize how effectively frequent reading helps to align your thoughts and phrases. Reading will lubricate the wheels of your mind and get your synapses firing.
4. Keep a Lyric Journal
It's essential to keep a lyric journal. When practicing self-awareness, use this journal to jot down descriptions of your feelings. Listen to what other people are saying and write down phrases that strike you. Copy your favorite passages from books and poetry. This journal is your own personal book of inspiration and you'll find it an invaluable source for putting together songs.
5. Tools
Make good use of tools such as rhyming dictionaries (my favorite is rhymezone.com), but don't use them as a crutch. Sure, your lyrics should flow and rhyme, but don't use a phrase solely because it rhymes with the previous one.
6. BE CONSISTENT (The Most Important)
Becoming a proficient writer requires consistency and self motivation. Write daily; lots of practice is the only way to make real progress. Challenge yourself to be fresh and inventive. Trial and error will take you far.
I hope these thoughts help. I'll be publishing more on melody writing and putting melodies and lyrics together. I'd love to hear from you and get feedback. Good luck with your endeavors!
--Megan
1. Think of Creativity as a Muscle
We all know that if we don't exercise our muscles they will waste away. Try to start thinking of creativity and inspiration as more of a muscle and less of an elusive quality. Put yourself in a position to become inspired by inspiring yourself. What are things that will, without fail, fill you with feeling and emotion? Maybe it's a beautiful view, pictures, colors, a person, or a place. Whatever it may be, come back to it often and try to pinpoint exactly how you feel and why you feel it. Challenge yourself to put the feeling into words. Chances are you'll be describing an emotion many people have felt, which is key in connecting with people via your writing. The more you practice this, the easier it will be for you to describe your own emotions, and you'll be ready when inspiration hits. Exercise those creative muscles!
2. Study People and Their Emotions
Building a believable story is key in any writing venture: be it a short story, novel, poem, or lyric. Having an understanding of the universal human emotions will give you a leg up in building a believable, identifiable lyric that your listeners can buy into. Pay attention to not only your own emotions and actions, but the emotions and actions of others. Why do people do the things they do? Why do they say the things they say? Why do they feel the things they feel? In the same way that an author performs in depth research to insure the accuracy of their writing -whether fiction or nonfiction-, our stories in lyrical writing should be as authentic as possible. The key here is to be aware and take note of how we, as people, interact with one another. How do we respond to situations? What do these situations make us feel? We've all felt love, happiness, sadness, and loneliness, ect. Play off these universal emotions in your lyrics with sincerity and you'll be able to connect with many, many people.
3. Recognize the Importance of Reading
Read, read, read! Writing well is knowing how to turn a phrase. If you read works often by authors who can write with fluidity, ingenuity, and cleverness you'll find it easier to think in a similar fashion. Read classics, read poetry, read novels, autobiographies, and humor. You probably won't even realize how effectively frequent reading helps to align your thoughts and phrases. Reading will lubricate the wheels of your mind and get your synapses firing.
4. Keep a Lyric Journal
It's essential to keep a lyric journal. When practicing self-awareness, use this journal to jot down descriptions of your feelings. Listen to what other people are saying and write down phrases that strike you. Copy your favorite passages from books and poetry. This journal is your own personal book of inspiration and you'll find it an invaluable source for putting together songs.
5. Tools
Make good use of tools such as rhyming dictionaries (my favorite is rhymezone.com), but don't use them as a crutch. Sure, your lyrics should flow and rhyme, but don't use a phrase solely because it rhymes with the previous one.
6. BE CONSISTENT (The Most Important)
Becoming a proficient writer requires consistency and self motivation. Write daily; lots of practice is the only way to make real progress. Challenge yourself to be fresh and inventive. Trial and error will take you far.
I hope these thoughts help. I'll be publishing more on melody writing and putting melodies and lyrics together. I'd love to hear from you and get feedback. Good luck with your endeavors!
--Megan
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