Working with another writer

Songwriting, songwriters, etc

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Mark Kaufman
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Re: Working with another writer

Post by Mark Kaufman » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:15 am

Jun 13, 2008, 10:46am, devin wrote:It's very doubtful I would ask or accept a collab with someone who is noticeably better or worse than I in all apects of the song creation process...that would just be too lopsided an arrangement to call it a collab.Maybe it's not even about talent or experience or judgment calls about who's better at whatever aspect...maybe it's more about personality. What piece of yourself are you adding to the blend?

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Re: Working with another writer

Post by devin » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:37 am

Actually Mark, that's really true as well. I've been in situations where the person with the lowest level of technique or gear was still the one saying "hey, let's try it again...let's keep going...I think we can do it". Without them nothing would have been accomplished.A similar situation to a high-level coach? The coach of the fastest runner of the 100m doesn't stand a chance of personally demonstrating how to beat the world record, but they have the skill to motivate the other person to reach greatness?All necessary traits to get something done, I guess. Unless all the skills are somewhere in the mix, the result could fall short.
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Re: Working with another writer

Post by milfus » Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:41 am

no doubt, and honestly, its like, even if someone is just cutting there teeth, they might have a really good view, or spark something in ya.If you ever really want to learn something, teach it. My gpa shows the validity of this as im the first and second top student in my school, and I mean really retain it. There is just this mentality that genius ideas are at a premium, you have to focus on making great ideas aswell, if the song goes horrible, and its worst case, and you lose the song idea......spend the 5 minutes and make another one and move on. You basicly traded that idea for some more experience, and maybe something you gleamed off whoever you worked with.Losing a great idea never stopped any musician, staggnation however, has retired the majority. So I would rather risk an idea than risk stretches of innaction, cause if you are moving and paying attention, you can't really move backward, you can move forward really slowly, but do you want that or to stand still.
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Re: Working with another writer

Post by che » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:42 pm

hmmmmmmmm.... have been reading in and out of this post for days. Hadn't really thought it through before, but figured' I throw my hat in for a minute.I ALWAYS write with others, but that is just because I am better at manipualting what is trying to be said rather than coming up with it. I don't sit down and write a song from start to finish. Maybe oneday I will be there. I just stumbled upon writing because my husband is a writer and so are his friends. While sitting around with them I found myself offering input on how else they could say that line etc... They will also give a piece to me for edits or a rewrite. But, many times we just sit around and bounce off each other until we like the line. I understand that our situation is far from the norm (from what I've read here). Every once and a while we will have a blowup, but usually we work well together with minimal arguements. Well, minimal for us Everyone is so passionate that we have daily "disagreements" but no one takes anything personal. It would be real interesting to write with someone we do not know. I wonder if I would feel stiffled. I think I would be a bit hesitant to just blurt things out like I do now. I know that what I come up with might not be gold, but someone else might be able to bounce off it, and get us to where we're trying to get to.Oh well........ if I keep at this long enough I'm sure I will end up writing with people outside my inner circle. For now familiarity is comforting.

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Re: Working with another writer

Post by milfus » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:54 pm

yeah, I can see that, it tends to be stifling until you realize that everyone does the same dumb stuff as you, and blurts out random lines that need a bunch of fixing. I mean if lines came out well, there wouldnt be three types of drafts, its not even pass and fail, its rough, middle, and final, at least. Opening up isnt the easiest thing for me either, but generally after someone hangs themselves out there for the song, i can follow in suit pretty easy just because its the same deal on both sides, so you know they understand. Now writing a song infront of a non writer, no way in hell.
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Re: Working with another writer

Post by squids » Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:27 pm

Wow, I'm really glad you and others have good recap skills, devin. I don't hafta take notes! Yay! I appreciate that. On an aside, I'm totally tired of takin notes. School's rewarding but.......

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Re: Working with another writer

Post by milfus » Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:34 pm

you and me both squids, less note taking, more note making, i say
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Re: Working with another writer

Post by mojobone » Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:52 am

And on that note....
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Re: Working with another writer

Post by squids » Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:15 am

Jun 14, 2008, 9:52am, mojobone wrote:And on that note....right!

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Re: Working with another writer

Post by squids » Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:17 am

Jun 13, 2008, 4:34pm, milfus wrote:you and me both squids, less note taking, more note making, i sayReally right!

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