Finding your voice/genre

[geo]

Quote:I've always been a fan of Indie/pop/rock and lots in between but haven't managed to fit my voice to any of it. I managed to pull it off but didn't feel comfortable. Even my writing style has closely followed the above genres but only the very occasional song has slipped the net and I've sung it 100% from me. Don't try to write it a certain way, you have a piano now, just play it and sing it how you naturally sing it, record it (nothing fancy, room mikes/tape deck etc) and listen to the play back. As you listen think about the beat, tap it out with your hands... if you have any drum programs (casio?) play around with different ones until you find something that feels good... think about other parts.... at this point you should be getting an idea of what kind of song you have. I use GarageBand for this... developing ideas... but I always start strumming acoustic, tapping out beats with my feat... singing away (badly ) but then use this to develop the song... I rarely think about what genre it might be until I start picking the drums out.It appears to me you are trying to pigeon-hole yourself to guide your songwriting, "I write POP" etc.. I say just write for now... concentrate more on writing good songs than writing "INDIE" songs or "POP" songs. Instead try writing in something other than 4/4 (or MODES ) but allow your writing to develop, don't force it a certain way... not yet.Sorry I didn't want to appear I was lecturing you or anything... it's just when I read your post I get the vibe that you are someone who likes to speak through their music, no wimpy love songs here, good strong lyrics (can't comment on your playing ) but you are unsure of the direction you should be taking.... IMHO I say for now don't worry about writng a Dixie Chicks stlye country song... write a Lindsey style country song. I hope somewhere in my pot induced ramblings there's a nugget or two of wisdom... nite all, Geo

[linziellen]

Hi there Geo, Thanks for your message There's a whole load of truth in your words, yes I was following what I thought to be within the rules and regulations. Take for example "Best Spin" which I posted up a few weeks ago and there's your classic example of trying to fit. Then compare it to "This is War" which was coming from moi! That's the difference. Problem is I'm not very confident, since I've been writing I've never felt better but I still have a long way to go before I can stand up and blast out a song! I swear (*x$x*xf) excuse my French, that I have well and truly slipped into my genre with this soul/funk/jazz/blues thing. It's bloody fantastic and suits my voice down to a T. I believe that's why I haven't managed to fit to pop because I was singing it with the above genre voice and it sounded daft. Looking through my notebooks I can now pick out the songs I wrote and sang in a "soul" kinda way and I was scrapping them thinking it just didn't work. Those repetitive lyrics about beatin on drums etc - they are the kind I sing from the bottom of my blooming shoes! I love BIG beats and I get an amazing thrill from the ones I hear within soul/funk. Can't get anything like that from my Yamaha unfortunately but I just bang on the pots and pans with my wooden spoons lol (no lie)! I always had a thing for songs such as "Ole Devil Called Love" and "Stormy Weather" now I realise it's because I can sing them. It's just I didn't give it the time of day because I didn't think that this day and age would accept it...until I came across Miss Russell and the little light bulb above my head went "ping"......Revalation!!!What's that saying about the "proof being in the pudding"...I now have to go really work on this and stop jabbering.Thank you (all) for taking the time to reply. I know I ramble but this is such an exciting journey. I might quieten down a little now I've made this discovery! Also I should just say "thanks" to TAXI for this site because while it might look like I'm doing the "blog" thing here I actually aspire to be a proper member and benefit from your feedback - which I hear is the tops Big up TAXI lol and it's members!!!Lindsey

[chitownjerry]

Lindsey,Personally, I find it more fun to write songs without a specific genre in mind.As an older guy, I really don't think I will ever perform my songs except in local bars and such. So, with that in mind, I try to keep my mind open to writing songs that may work for a variety of performers. I listen to lots of varied music.. I may get my inspiration from a small snippet of a classical piece, or get a beat from an old rock song and pair it up with that goofy "hook" that might spring into my mind while driving to work.If your aim is to become a performing artist, then yes I guess you need to find your genre/voice. If not, why limit yourself?As far as writing "from the heart", I wouldn't worry about it. Remember that songwriting is like storytelling. Not too many years ago I was reading an article about Bernie Taupin and where some of his ideas came from. I was amazed how he could take something from a newspaper article and come up with lyrics that would make the listener believe they were straight from his heart! So assume a persona.. make assumptions about "you" as the songwriter and then try to convey them to the listener.My latest song is a bluesy number about a guy (or gal.. non-gender specific) who's lover is showing all the signs of getting ready to leave him.. for the second time around.. But, hey.. I'm happily married!just my .02 cents..Good luck!Jerry

[geo]

You sound like you got a good idea which direction to go in.... now you go girl!!! Get writing ... Geo

[squids]

Lindsey,Honey, write, sing and record. The rest happens without our intereference. As musicians, we're evolving a little bit every week, sometimes whether we're playing or not! I'm happy you've found some genres you're comfortable in. It's sometimes good to have a place to dock while you venture out into the unknown. I really enjoy your posts. I'd love to hear you sing!

[linziellen]

Thank you Squids, that means a heck of a lot

[lopc]

Write and record. Right on. No better avenue than that to compare the then and now. You have heard it many times before to not allow bias opinions determine the quality (family, friends, guys in bars you just met). You have been here long enough to know most people will give you the straight poop as they see it. I'm talking bout the boards, not the "screeners". The final say on your work comes from you. You have the right attitude and discipline from what I've seen in your threads and posts. Write and record. These guys all make very solid points. There ain't nothing like getting in a hurry to mess up a dream. Write, record, keep doing what you are doing. Truth be told, I wish I would have taken this approach years ago.

[geo]

Quote:Write and record. Right on. No better avenue than that to compare the then and now. These guys all make very solid points. There ain't nothing like getting in a hurry to mess up a dream. Write, record, keep doing what you are doing. Truth be told, I wish I would have taken this approach years ago.Same here... I'd be deadly if I never stopped to become a Chef, still playing catch up... Geo

[squids]

Quote:Quote:Write and record. Right on. No better avenue than that to compare the then and now. These guys all make very solid points. There ain't nothing like getting in a hurry to mess up a dream. Write, record, keep doing what you are doing. Truth be told, I wish I would have taken this approach years ago.Same here... I'd be deadly if I never stopped to become a Chef, still playing catch up... GeoYou were a chef?? Dude, c'mon ovah!!

[geo]

Quote:Quote:Same here... I'd be deadly if I never stopped to become a Chef, still playing catch up... GeoYou were a chef?? Dude, c'mon ovah!! Still am... found a position that only requires 35 hours a week... not the normal 60... if it resides in the ocean... I can make it taste great... but my speciality... roasted 1/2 chickens done on a Weber Kettle grill (indirect heat) with citrus herb butter under the skin, served with grilled veggies and a roasted garlic aioli to dip everything in...YUMMY!!! My stomach groaned while I was typing!!I do a "faux" Gumbo/Lambalaya not authentic... but still tasty.... I cook like I write music... I seldon follow a recipe ... GeoHere's a cooking video... enjoy <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t-pyRNYbUb0&hl ... ram><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t-pyRNYbUb0&hl=en&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Just click on the first youtube in yellow... GeoOops, it's gone... try www.youtube.com/geochef64