What's the ONE thing?

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annayarbrough
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What's the ONE thing?

Post by annayarbrough » Fri Apr 06, 2018 1:56 pm

Best piece of writing advice you've ever received.... 123 go!






(Mine is: "write the kind of music you want to be writing in 10 years").
Last edited by annayarbrough on Tue Apr 10, 2018 1:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: What's the ONE thing?

Post by admin » Fri Apr 06, 2018 2:15 pm

I once asked Barry Gibb that very thing! He looked at me with a puzzled look on his face (like, how can you not know this already, Laskow. I was 20 years old at the time), and he replied, "Emotion, mate."

He's had a couple of hits, so I took him at his word ;-)

best,
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Re: What's the ONE thing?

Post by funsongs » Fri Apr 06, 2018 2:24 pm

Don't know if this answers your question directly - but how about this perspective?
It seems some of the best SONGS are those that come quickly and complete - or nearly complete - in an easy, spontaneous moment: even divinely 'given'.

While that experience can be exhilarating - it may also lack in the different sense of quality of effort exerted to achieve that 'success'.

So - in contrast - having been encouraged and taught 'not to fear the re-write'... and having to 'craft' a song - I would say that advice is valued in the results produced... by working through a concept or idea to a high degree of satisfaction... and finishing the task to the compliments of "well done"...
even if that's for your own enjoyment.

Hope that makes sense; nice thread/question, Ms. Anna.
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Re: What's the ONE thing?

Post by Len911 » Fri Apr 06, 2018 2:41 pm

I think the one thing has already been mentioned, emotion, and you get there through musical and lyrical phasing.
Musical phrasing is the manner in which a musician shapes a sequence of notes in a passage of music, in order to express an emotion or impression. A musician accomplishes this by deviating stylistically from the sheet music—altering tone, tempo, dynamics, articulation, inflection, and other characteristics.
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Musical_phrasing
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Re: What's the ONE thing?

Post by lesmac » Fri Apr 06, 2018 2:51 pm

"Lester is ok as a guitarist but he is sh*t house when he is pissed"

Maybe it wasn't about writing but I have never forgotten those words from someone who was a musical giant to me.

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Re: What's the ONE thing?

Post by cassmcentee » Fri Apr 06, 2018 3:18 pm

"...don't smudge the ink with the palm of your hand." :P
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Re: What's the ONE thing?

Post by Casey H » Fri Apr 06, 2018 3:37 pm

Paraphrasing and I'm not sure who said it or said it first...

Don't write what you want to say. Write what other people want to hear!

:D Casey

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Re: What's the ONE thing?

Post by funsongs » Fri Apr 06, 2018 4:56 pm

cassmcentee wrote:"...don't smudge the ink with the palm of your hand." :P
As a lefty, I can relate. :? :lol: :lol: Argh - the days of cartridge ink pens.
Very funny, CassMan.
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Re: What's the ONE thing?

Post by funsongs » Fri Apr 06, 2018 4:57 pm

lesmac wrote:"Lester is ok as a guitarist but he is sh*t house when he is pissed"

Maybe it wasn't about writing but I have never forgotten those words from someone who was a musical giant to me.
You've never forgotten, Lester - but has that really been the BEST advice... and has it helped what you write?! :? :shock: :lol:
I hope so; wouldn't wanna piss you off. :)
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Re: What's the ONE thing?

Post by hummingbird » Fri Apr 06, 2018 6:03 pm

I think it impossible to attribute any of my success to ONE thing said by one person. However, I will say this one thing still is remembered by me, and resonates with me, in both sorrow and joy. Sorrow because he's gone, and joy because he knew me so well that he would never ever ask me to give up music for any reason. My partner, Mark, when I was fallow and full of doubts and had stopped composing, or anytime I let things slide: "Why aren't you writing?" <3
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