Songwriting made easy!

Writing songs is fun and easy. More then that is a learning experience and deeply rewarding. There are two very basic types of songs, to keep it simple. There is a basic instrumental and there is a lyrical song generally working together in harmony. Putting words with the music and making it enjoyable. Heavy metal and sweet lyrics generally don't go together well. Though I have one song that is similarly contradictory. How is that for a mouthful?

To begin with songwriting should be fun. If it's homework it will not be nearly as rewarding. Kid's of all ages can learn how to do it. It is also a valuable tool for self discovery if that is a journey you seek. The easiest thing is to be overwhelmed or be too much of a perfectionist. Playful... fun... remember. I have written over 130 songs and over 20 of them were co-written. My most consistent partner Paul Quick and I write on a pretty consistent basis. I have songs in which I do lyrics, and others where I am given lyrics. Though some artists like Paul Simon always write the music first, or receive a melody and work from there, I consider myself a lyricist first and write a set of lyrics which I put to music. You may be different, or not use lyrics at all and just do instrumental compositions. Either way the basics are the same though the expression obviously differs. In my group Innergy I would write the lyrics, and Catherine Schultz would find a melody, come in and sing it to me, and I would figure it out on the guitar.

How to begin?!? Again simple is better. If you have a tune flying around in you mind and play an instrument figure it out and play it several times. Write it down in some shorthand while it is still fresh in your mind. Repetition is a major key in imprinting it in your mind, and a tip in helping you focus on being able to reproduce this at a later date. Even jazz tunes have a basic chordal structure to work off of unless you are just improvising for a one time performance. Today we also have the tool of the recorder. You could have a basic melody turn on the recorder and have it for you to practice with in the future until you have it down. One caveat, make sure this is not just someone Else's tune you heard on the radio earlier in the day!

My way of writing is different in that I start with the lyrics and that gives me a basic outline for the song. I have a basic rhythm based on the lyrics and mood of the song. Is it's intention to seduce (Find You), is it a sweet song ( Walk With Me), high energy ( You Rock My World!), or the variety of other melodies you can discover that match the words. One of the hallmarks of a great song is how well the lyrics and music reflect each other. This is referred to as "prosity", matching the sweet lyrics to the mellow music.

The one lesson I really want to convey to you is that this is a process. You may have incredible talent, or be a late bloomer, but if you enjoy it, you can do it! The key being having a goal in terms not of time, but of energy! You may be away from the piano for weeks at a time, but when you get back to it you pick up by playing the songs you've written. Be persistent and when possible consistent. When you can work on it daily or weekly. Above all be patient with yourself. Rome wasn't built in a day, and unless you are the second coming of Mozart, it will take a while to develop your own style. Again this should be fun.

The last thing I want to make you aware of is a bit contentious. Should you learn a lot of other peoples music or strike out with your own special song. There is value in both paths. By learning alot of other peoples songs you develop a repertoire or songs people want to hear, develope alot of different musical genre's and styles you are familiar with, open yourself to working with alot of musicians familiar with the songs and wanting to play them. Sometimes this makes the songs you write sound somewhat similar to what they have written.The other way which I ended up doing. was since I started at about 14 writing songs, and only had so much time to play each day or week at different periods of my life, I wanted to get my songs done and polished to play in public. Focus on your goals is it for the entertainment of others or your own personal satisfacion?

There is no right or wrong way to write songs, there are just several options. Some make you more appealing to larger audiences, but popularity does not a quality song make! It is great if you can make lots of money writing songs, it is also fine if your mystic is your diary and measures your life, bringing you joy. The hermit can be just as wise as the evangelist! That's just our little secret. Just do what is in your heart...and you are already successful!

I also invite you to hear me play at the Organicfest, you can check out my blog.