Comments on: Songwriting Challenges – Where Do I Begin? http://i.grahamenglish.net/1015/songwriting-challenges-where-do-i-begin/ Songwriter, Recording Artist, and Blogging Musician Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:54:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Graham English http://i.grahamenglish.net/1015/songwriting-challenges-where-do-i-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-3843 Graham English Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:03:35 +0000 http://i.grahamenglish.net/1015/songwriting-challenges-where-do-i-begin/#comment-3843 Since chord changes aren't copyrighted, you might want to try rewriting songs that already achieve what you want harmonically. Since chord changes aren’t copyrighted, you might want to try rewriting songs that already achieve what you want harmonically.

]]> By: Ralph http://i.grahamenglish.net/1015/songwriting-challenges-where-do-i-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-3829 Ralph Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:23:43 +0000 http://i.grahamenglish.net/1015/songwriting-challenges-where-do-i-begin/#comment-3829 I'm an old music lover but, new to writing music. I've written several ditties in my spare time which my friends like. I would like to be able to give them some more character. My question is how to write the harmonies that build up a song. I've checked the internet and see some interesting theories but, maybe I need lots more training. One system that seems almost understandable to me is the Nashville Numbering System. Is there any way that I could improve my song writing so that I could include the (SATB) voices? I’m an old music lover but, new to writing music. I’ve written several ditties in my spare time which my friends like. I would like to be able to give them some more character. My question is how to write the harmonies that build up a song. I’ve checked the internet and see some interesting theories but, maybe I need lots more training. One system that seems almost understandable to me is the Nashville Numbering System. Is there any way that I could improve my song writing so that I could include the (SATB) voices?

]]> By: Graham English http://i.grahamenglish.net/1015/songwriting-challenges-where-do-i-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-3625 Graham English Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:29:16 +0000 http://i.grahamenglish.net/1015/songwriting-challenges-where-do-i-begin/#comment-3625 You could always figure out what your favorite songs are, identify their intervals, and make sure you don't use them. But being influenced by the music love isn't necessarily a bad thing. Music uses a common language. The intervals, scales, and harmony are the same. Just say your own thing. You could always figure out what your favorite songs are, identify their intervals, and make sure you don’t use them.

But being influenced by the music love isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Music uses a common language. The intervals, scales, and harmony are the same. Just say your own thing.

]]> By: rachel http://i.grahamenglish.net/1015/songwriting-challenges-where-do-i-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-3624 rachel Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:47:20 +0000 http://i.grahamenglish.net/1015/songwriting-challenges-where-do-i-begin/#comment-3624 how do you keep from mentally regurgitating intervals from your favorite songs unconsciously? how do you keep from mentally regurgitating intervals from your favorite songs unconsciously?

]]> By: Graham English http://i.grahamenglish.net/1015/songwriting-challenges-where-do-i-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-1730 Graham English Wed, 21 Mar 2007 13:26:51 +0000 http://i.grahamenglish.net/1015/songwriting-challenges-where-do-i-begin/#comment-1730 Hopefully, you're doing both. You're writing what people want to hear and it relates to your personal experience somehow. That doesn't mean that you're airing your dirty laundry or vommitting your ego all over the place. Songwriting is similar to talking to someone -- it's a form of communication. So what do you want to tell your listener? And how can it be relevant to them so they want to listen? And how can you invoke your personal experience in a way that draws the listener in rather than alienates them? My personal opinion is that you start personal and bring it into the universal. When you edit your lyric drafts, you can ask yourself if the details pull the listener in or alienate the listener. If the details in your writing draw the listener closer, then you're moving in the right direction. If the details are an inside joke or will only be understood by you, the writer, then rewrite the line. I hope this helps. Thanks for the comment! :) Hopefully, you’re doing both. You’re writing what people want to hear and it relates to your personal experience somehow. That doesn’t mean that you’re airing your dirty laundry or vommitting your ego all over the place. Songwriting is similar to talking to someone — it’s a form of communication. So what do you want to tell your listener? And how can it be relevant to them so they want to listen? And how can you invoke your personal experience in a way that draws the listener in rather than alienates them?

My personal opinion is that you start personal and bring it into the universal. When you edit your lyric drafts, you can ask yourself if the details pull the listener in or alienate the listener. If the details in your writing draw the listener closer, then you’re moving in the right direction. If the details are an inside joke or will only be understood by you, the writer, then rewrite the line.

I hope this helps. Thanks for the comment! :)

]]> By: fergal p http://i.grahamenglish.net/1015/songwriting-challenges-where-do-i-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-1731 fergal p Wed, 21 Mar 2007 09:41:42 +0000 http://i.grahamenglish.net/1015/songwriting-challenges-where-do-i-begin/#comment-1731 do you write songs that should relate to your life experiences or write what people want to hear? do you write songs that should relate to your life experiences or write what people want to hear?

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