This thread was getting rather too long, but it's still only touched the surface oif what can be said about songwriting. So here is a part 2. And I'll put in the last few posts from part 1 for continuity, since it was a bit too long for some people to be able to download it.
Subject: RE: Songwriting 101 From: Night Owl Date: 20-Apr-02 - 02:17 AM
Jeri/CapriUni......I HOPE you two don't stop talking here in this thread. I'm finding the conversation and "peeks" into a songwriter's brain...(the processes you guys use etc.) and the advice being given fascinating....
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post - Top - Forum Home - Translate --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: RE: Songwriting 101 From: GUEST,mELVIN Date: 20-Apr-02 - 03:46 AM
Man,when I think about how to teach someone how to write a song, or worse yet, how to write a good song, it really blew my mind. Yeah, I've been formally instucted, and yes I've been in cowboy bands, jazz bands, symphonies, play by ear etc... So I thought what did I do wrong? Well one of the worst things I did was to enjoy my own work too much and "ignore" those little bothersome spots I knew were not just right. The thing that I think I did correctly was to listen to myself and be inspired by what was already happening.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post - Top - Forum Home - Translate --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: RE: Songwriting 101 From: harvey andrews Date: 20-Apr-02 - 05:15 AM
Capri-Uni..what I meant was your comments told me you were a word person. The craft of good songwriting takes years to learn (and is great fun) but as I said before it's like ball sense.Throw a ball at a kid who's got it and he'll catch it and play happily, throw it at a kid who's not got it and he'll fumble and drop it and walk away to do something else. The one with the ball sense can take it as far as he wants, there's no point the other kid trying. So if you like playing with words, pick 'em up and run with them, you never know how far you'll get!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post - Top - Forum Home - Translate --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: RE: Songwriting 101 From: Jeri Date: 20-Apr-02 - 08:48 AM
CapriUni, MidiText is fine. E-mailed MIDIs is fine.
I've grown up just enough that I pay my bills, sometimes on time, and I show up where I'm supposed to be. Other than that, my grown-upness is mostly a disguise I wear to hang around with other grown-ups, who are just as likely to be wearing grown-up disguises. (I wrote a song about this too. What a surprise.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post - Top - Forum Home - Translate --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: RE: Songwriting 101 From: CapriUni Date: 20-Apr-02 - 12:12 PM
Night Owl --
I wasn't thinking of taking the discussion (of general priciples, ect.) private, just specific songs... But maybe it's time to start that "Workshop" thread, where specific songs can be posted and critiqued.
You up for it, Jeri?
Are we fairly sure it won't turn into trollbait?
Warning: Thread Drift Zone Ahead>
Though having said that, I think it's time for a confession: I have a secret alter-ego. I am a Pro-fun Troll, and as such, a golden fire extinguisher is part of my basic equipment (along with a kazzoo, paper birthday hat, and a blow tickler party horn)
The Mission Statement of the Pro-Fun Trolls: To slurp bandwidth with thoughtful posts, praising what we enjoy before criticizing what we don't, enticing lurkers into the sunlight, and hosting the occasional hoedown.
Of course, like all trolls, our goal is to take over cyber-space. In our case, though, our tactic is to spread so much kindness and laughter that the nasty trolls won't have room to gnash their teeth ;-).
On Mudcat, I nominate Áine to be our Pro-Fun Troll brigade captain.
End Thread Drift Zone
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post - Top - Forum Home - Translate --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: RE: Songwriting 101 From: Jeri Date: 21-Apr-02 - 07:53 PM
CapriUni, I think the best way to ask for a critique of lyrics here is to start a thread and post 'em. I still don't think this is the best place to do it. It's like asking a roomful of people if they like your dress. Most of them will just keep quiet to stay out of trouble. Two will say it's too long, two will say it's too short. Two will love the color, two will hate it. Someone will point out it looks a bit like the dress Helvitica Noodleflip wore to dinner last Friday, but NO ONE will mention, or perhaps even notice, the the big rip under your arm. (Or if they do, they'll phrase it something like "I see you've done something very different and creative with your seams.")
You can try it. In my experience, people seem to like talking about songwriting in general and don't respond to requests for help with specific songs. There are probably many reasons why and I can only speculate about what they are.
McGrath thank you for your input. You were the only person who critiqued the song at all. My initial reactions to things often don't determine what I'll eventually do, and you've given me things to consider.
Bert, you got the other songs, and I thank you too.