General Music Chat

Buying any book on the secrets of somebody's song-writing is a futile mistake.:

1) In most cases, such authors are typically ..not...musicians of any real distinction (saving those authors who write about secrets of song-writing of their own songs)

2) It usually takes a lifetime of song-writing to really understand someone else's lifetime of work. So, today, if you see a book on the 'Songwriting Secrets' of the Beatles or Stones or Hendrix, etc...and the author is significantly younger than you...Its a losing bet to expect any useful wisdom from his/her book

3) Assume that the author was a musician of distinction, and that such an author did claim to un-ravel the secrets, per se... He's a "liar, Liar...and his pants are on fire... Why?, Because guys like Chuck Berry cant tell you anything about Keith Richards, and Keith Richards (Who is a high -caliber RnR History buff, BTW), cant tell you anything about John Lennon... And John Lennon cant tell you anything about Tiny Tim... The point being, that even the aforementioned giants, can scarcely explain away their very own knack...and talent.


Your thoughts, ladies and gentlemen?

I believe (GOOD) song writing cant be learned.
Only mediocre and passable. I know this is a kinda drastic thing to say
and is an inflammatory statement for some.
I really think blending music and lyrics and proper vocals to a point that is
popular to masses is a natural skill. I believe teachers can teach you a lot
of facts about writing but putting it all together like a chef is magic almost.
Some are really good at one aspect of putting a song together. That is
more common than having all the skills in one person. So many here write songs
with GOOD & BAD & MEDIOCRE parts within them. A lot of the fighting over song writing here really doesn't make sense to me.

JMHO[/b]

Umm ...

As I've stated before I only scribe what is given to me.
And I don't consider myself a "song writer" anyways.

I've found written instruction on most any subject to be of limited value.

If you want to learn a craft you should seek out a master of that craft to teach you.

That would be my $0.02

Umm ...

As I've stated before I only scribe what is given to me.
And I don't consider myself a "song writer" anyways.

I've found written instruction on most any subject to be of limited value.

If you want to learn a craft you should seek out a master of that craft to teach you.

That would be my $0.02

Agreed. WHat I'd give to have an hour or two with all my musical idols...

I believe (GOOD) song writing cant be learned.
Only mediocre and passable. I know this is a kinda drastic thing to say
and is an inflammatory statement for some.
I really think blending music and lyrics and proper vocals to a point that is
popular to masses is a natural skill. I believe teachers can teach you a lot
of facts about writing but putting it all together like a chef is magic almost.
Some are really good at one aspect of putting a song together. That is
more common than having all the skills in one person. So many here write songs
with GOOD & BAD & MEDIOCRE parts within them. A lot of the fighting over song writing here really doesn't make sense to me.

JMHO[/b]

Not drastic at all Klugmo...Actually its dead-nuts on... You are very correct about the 'special skill' to appeal to the masses. Music, in and of itself is a very natural and innate ability for most humans. Its just that some humans have a knack for knowing how the brain and ears react to music, much better than other humans do. I have always thought that a lot of brilliant material produced by the masters... occurred accidentally. More importantly, the decision to recognize and use the material, (a critical juncture in composition) is haphazard at times.
I recall watching an SNL episode of John Belushi, who did a skit as Beethoven, dabbling at the keyboard and fingering out the opening notes (to what was later his 5th symphony... ) Except, in the skit, he punches the notes..pauses for a moment , as though an epiphany...then dismisses the whole musical idea , shrugs his shoulders... and shoos it away...

Paperdog

You are so right. Those songs come to us. After that, it is how we treat the gifts we get.

I'm ashamed of all the music I've forgotten. Particularly stuff I wrote using my bass as a guitar (I know - I apologize) There is a celtic thing for which I should be executed for having fogotten.

I'm trying to get down some basic principles in this recording thing but I'm still electronic infancy. (with all those years in IT - I feel like an idiot)

Talbot