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Things
I've learned (am learning,) along the way.
1. No matter what style of music you write, I think it's best to keep the form of all the verses
identical. Once I wrote a song with V1 and V2 the same and V3 just a half verse, which didn't go over so well.
I think a better approach is to write a Coda instead.
2. Is it fun? I find when I start getting
frustated, clawing at thin air for ideas - trying to pound that proverbial square peg into the round hole, I need to step
back, 'way back from the song. Let it breathe for a week or a month. And when I come back to it,
if it's still making me feel all anxious and tight in the chest, I will hug it farewell and let a new song find
its way in. That's been WAY tough for me to do, but I've learned to surrender. Plus, all that blood,
sweat and tears is usually gearing you up for another better song anyway.
3. I'm learning "simple"
works extra great. So long as it's original, less cluttered almost always works better. And that goes
for melodies, lyrics, chords and instrumentation, arrangements, etc. I believe there is something so herently spiritual
with music anyway that spareness (again, if it's original,) will fill the soul up just fine and dandy on its own.
4. When you get ideas for a song, just let them roll in without stopping the flow. Don't worry if you think
it's the stupidest song anyone has ever written - you've got inspiration flowing, let it run its course. You
can always go back and edit later. (That's where a recording device is your best buddy.) Think of all the fun and
/ or offbeat songs that may never have been written if the writers had chopped them off at the stem before they even
had a chance to grow. And tooting my own horn... I almost didn't write "I Need A Man," because
I thought it was just the most ridiculous start of a song I'd ever heard. "I Need A Man With A Chaisnsaw?"
What craziness is that, but I sang it for my wonderful friend, Suzie Dodge and she said "Jannie, I LOVE
it!" So, you just never know!
5. Be organized. It's good to have folders for each song,
whether computer files or hardcopy ones or better yet - both. This is one I really have to stay on top of but
it pays off. If nothing else, it makes you feel organized and that's peace of mind.
6.
Never stop going for your dream!
7. Work at song-writing at least 2 hours a day, 5 days a week minimum.
8. What's on your mind lately? It could be the next great song.
9. (Here's one
from my friend, Jae Howard...) "Write what you know, what you've lived and what's in your heart." (Amen
on that, sister!)
10. I love Rhymezone.com because it gives you plenty of multisyllabic choices, whole phrases even!
11. I can't take credit for this one, but I read in one of my songwriting books, "Always say to yourself,
I can. I can. I can. " When I get a little stuck I repeat that, often out loud at
a resounding level. Yes, we can. I'm living proof. (2008-04-29)
12.
Age DOES NOT MATTER!!! If a 98-year-old wrote "Fly Me To The Moon," or "Dock Of The Bay,"
would we like the songs any less? Methinks not. (2008-04-29)
13. I'm going to re-record "Bones"
for my next CD with a fast funk beat. Lesson: Experiment with the harmonic rhythm under your melody.
Long drawn-out notes might sound fantastic under say, the basic bass / drum combo in a song like "Where The Streets Have
No Name." (2008-04-30)
14. My songwriting sidekick is a digital recorder I bought for about
$40.00. Carry it most everywhere, to capture those moments of lyric and melodic inpiration. It holds 3 hours altogether,
100 "files." One of the reasons I like it so much is if days or weeks down the road I deem a song-bit
doesn't stand up, with a press of a button it's deleted. The keepers I record to audio cassette. On many
models (I used to have a $100 one, until it was stolen about a year ago,) you can USB the files directly to your
computer. (2008-05-04)
15. I've read in songwriting books you are supposed to get better
at it with time. I used to be pretty skeptical about that one (O, Doubting-Thomas Jannie,) I was so sure my innate penchant
for songwriting would wane over time as the thrall of natural ispiration drained out of me. Wrong, Jannie!
There is a bottomless well of creativity within. And songwriting does get easier and better. You
get better. Stay open to learning. IT will happen. (2008-05-05)
16. It's
so important never to stick a knife or other metal instrument in a plugged-in toaster during the songwriting process
- really dampens the creative mood, if ya dig.  (2008-05-06)
Many, Many More tips to come!
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