Correction - I will find the words.

[linziellen]

OK cool, thank you Chits Perhaps I am trying too hard. I think maybe a song only has to be about one simple moment, rather than a life time of lots of different ones. Yet I still try and pour it ALL out onto paper. I ask too much from myself, and eventually I crumble from the pressure. Bones, yes that's good. I can't count the number of verses I have on the go anymore. I constantly go from one to another these days, catching them by surprise! What I could start to do is build simple stories from those verses, even if they don't fit exactly, it would give me a rough idea of where I'm headed.Do you guys agree with the idea that we have to become vulnerable to become good song writers? That idea has been haunting me lately.Thanks guys

[jchitty]

Aug 22, 2008, 5:51am, linziellen wrote:OK cool, thank you Chits Perhaps I am trying too hard. I think maybe a song only has to be about one simple moment, rather than a life time of lots of different ones. Yet I still try and pour it ALL out onto paper. I ask too much from myself, and eventually I crumble from the pressure. Bones, yes that's good. I can't count the number of verses I have on the go anymore. I constantly go from one to another these days, catching them by surprise! What I could start to do is build simple stories from those verses, even if they don't fit exactly, it would give me a rough idea of where I'm headed.Do you guys agree with the idea that we have to become vulnerable to become good song writers? That idea has been haunting me lately.Thanks guys Okay, Ms. Lindz....glad we could all help. I owe you a PM and I'm gonna answer it ASAP.

[mojobone]

I would say that if we are open to inspiration, we are also vulnerable.

[kg]

Hey, Linzi. I didn't take the time to read the other responses so I'm probably saying the same thing someone else has said, but when that starts to happen, just sit down and write free form. If it wants to come out it will, otherwise, let it incubate a bit. Think about it, but hold it in. Cage it up until it's bursting to come out and it will...Even if you just come up with one line or the melody and you just walk around saying that or humming that to yourself. If anything, you'll end up with a few lines that are worth hanging on to; you never know where they'll fit.K

[sgs4u]

Aug 22, 2008, 5:51am, linziellen wrote:Do you guys agree with the idea that we have to become vulnerable to become good song writers? I think to become a good person you have to be quite vulnerable. To be a good songwriter takes even more vulnerability. To be a truly gifted human that also writes great songs, I would imagine you have to be extremely vulnerable. Sometimes being vulnerable isn't about waiting around 'til you get smacked upside the head with reality, either. But the truth is more likely that my statement has more to do with what I need than what you need. One day at a time is about right for me.What he says here:Aug 22, 2008, 6:56pm, mojobone wrote:I would say that if we are open to inspiration, we are also vulnerable. is very true too. If you're trying to be inspired to write songs, you're already vulnerable. You don't need to measure if you're vulnerable enough. You are.

[kg]

Ok, now I'm back to add to what the others have said now that I'm awake! I think that it's not just vulnerability, but how honest you want to be in your songs. If you're going to write from deep within, which is a fantastic place to write from, your level of honesty dictates your level of vulnerability. Does that make sense? So if you are not comfortable revealing 100% of what's under the surface at the moment, you give it a lower level and see how it feels, then you work your way up. Totally stretching the borders of the conversation a bit, but sometimes in the stage of writing that you seem to be dealing with right now, you may have a bit of "songwriting-therapy" for lack of a better word to go through. Maybe you just push through and dig into that deepest darkest place and write about that full on. Maybe it never makes it past the pages of your notebook or maybe it's your breakthrough and it becomes easier after that. In comment to this:Quote:I think maybe a song only has to be about one simple moment, rather than a life time of lots of different ones. I think that you should use your free-form writing to let the floodgates do their thing and you'll notice that you'll probably start to hone in on one moment or aspect of that river or emotion and that's where you can start to fill in the meat on the bones (if you have them down already). Don't be in a rush to finish and don't worry about it's simplicity...sometimes the most vulnerable and touching songs are not overly deep, they are just honest and therefore vulnerable.

[suzdoyle]

Excellent ideas on this thread!I would add that the act of creating anything (including songs) requires stepping firmly into the unknown, which requires great courage and vulnerability. A paradox, really. The other piece is "getting out of the way" when songs come . . . disengaging the linear, editor mind and saying "Yes" to whatever wants to come through in a more free flowing, abstract way. After the general flow part of it is finished, then it's time to tinker with it from a more critical editor's eye.At least that's one way the process seems to work well. ,Suz

[chitownjerry]

I disagree about the vulnerability.. You don't have to have experienced everything you write about.Personally, I find sometimes myself uncomfortable listening to lyrics that are too revealing or detailed about one's inner angst and tribulations.A truly talented songwriter can tell a story that hits you, the listener. Try to approach lyrics from the perspective of the listener. Always remember you are telling a story and have a very short time to tell it.. Try to distill a paragraph into a small sentence or phrase. Practice at that.Well, that's my 2 cents! Good luck!

[putter232000]

Linzi:When I feel I have a lot to write, and NOTHING comes out, I start writing stream of consciousness stuff, shut off the analytical side of the brain and write for a while, and VOILA! things take shape, and then you have something. Once I was in the middle of a song and all of a sudden it changed direction and became a Wedding Duet! You never know.Just let the pen start moving, you will be surprised at some of the ideas and phrases your subconscious will bring to light!My best,Andy

[mewman]

Hi LinziDon't pass judgment on what is happening in your mind, just write whatever is there, maybe it is personal, mayby it is pure fantasy, don't think about WHAT it is, just write as fast as you can! I attended a SOCAN (the canadian ASCAP) conference here in Montreal a few years ago and one songwriter described how he almost broke his leg jumping off a ladder while painting his apartment when a song came into his head. I'm an instrumental composer who sometimes writes songs, but I believe the process can be the same. When an idea hits you, write it down as fast as you can and don't let yourself get distracted! I've written stuff on envelopes while I was driving! If you pass judgment on it....if you think about what it means or if it too this or that, you'll kill it so fast your head will spin and wonder what happened!Be fearless!!!Mewman