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how do i pull myself to rewrite some of my old songs

Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 9:36 am
by JamesCarvalho
if i join taxi it appears to me i might have to re arrange my songs.
i tried this before but, it left me confused when performing live and took away from my groove.
has anybody got light to shed?

Re: how do i pull myself to rewrite some of my old songs

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 2:45 am
by FMstereo
Hi Jim

One thing I've learned since I joined Taxi, is that to be a good songwriter you have to be prepared to rewrite your songs. And not just once. Over and over and sometimes over and over again. Jason Blume often says that it shouldn't be called "songwriting", because it's "song re-writing"!

Sometimes there isn't much left of the original when you're finished. I often find that gives me a real freedom when I'm writing so that I don't get too hung up when the ideas are flowing; I realise that most of it's going to be changed anyway!

I'm not a performer, but I do understand your point about re-arranging confusing you and taking you away from your groove. I'm always singing my songs at home, but I can never remember the words properly. My kids can't quite believe it, seeing as I wrote them. The thing is though, when you've gone through so many edits you can't always remember the final version!

Sorry I don't have any answers on that though. Hopefully another performer will chime in.

Cheers

Re: how do i pull myself to rewrite some of my old songs

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 10:44 am
by kenmassey
Hi Jim, I feel your pain! While I have been a musician for many years, I've only been writing songs (with lyric) for the last four years or so and have learned rather quickly that rewriting is required. I recently submitted three songs for a custom critique and am in the process of rewriting them now. I know how you feel. (FYI screener no. 97 did the critique and was extremely helpful, thoughtful, and on target. Thanks, 97!)

Suggestions: don't finalize your song until it has been critiqued (maybe several times). Taxi does custom critiques and NSAI does as well.

When performing keep a music stand with the latest version handy so you can follow your latest version. If your eyesight is good, you could tape it to a floor monitor (my favorite until my eyes started going down hill.)

Good luck, Ken

Re: how do i pull myself to rewrite some of my old songs

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:26 pm
by BruceBrown
Maybe you should just start fresh with new songs. I know that now and then I'll pull out an old tune and try to rework it, but it' s never very fruitful.
New, fresh ideas are exciting and give me the motivation I need to get the work done.
My 2 cents.
Bruce

Re: how do i pull myself to rewrite some of my old songs

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 1:36 pm
by JamesCarvalho
so happy with the replies.
yes i have trouble remembering my own songs too (drives me crazy)i love to perform I usta bring music sheets and a music stand till my sight started slipping.
thought i might try taxi and "rewrite songs" LOL (if you will) cause I have a few songs done up a bit.. but, seems there is a " bar " and i cant quite fool my self into thinking i'm ready.. i am however learning, learning, learning, as much as i can because i have this crazy passion to succeed in some way on my bucket list.
so thanks for your thoughtful input: fmstereo, bruce, and kenmassey.

Bruce, you might have nailed it, i should just "re-write- write" some new stuff for the taxi projects. and just leave my old song alone.
but..... there goes my concept i have a few song done already and maybe i wont be completely wasting my money joining taxi.

it crazy right!!