General Music Chat

When you write and/or compose does your sleeves get in the way? What's on your sleeves. Is it your feelings or snot just to get that metal "feeling"? As a writer/composer, are you sharing what may be relevant to the listener. Some feelings are timeless. Do you want to feel as you do when you write it 20- 30- 40 years after you wrote it every time you hear it? Is this the difference between Galileo and Piccasso? Realism or abstract. Can you leave Time in a bottle you may want to read in the future?

When you write and/or compose does your sleeves get in the way? What's on your sleeves. Is it your feelings or snot just to get that metal "feeling"? As a writer/composer, are you sharing what may be relevant to the listener. Some feelings are timeless. Do you want to feel as you do when you write it 20- 30- 40 years after you wrote it every time you hear it? Is this the difference between Galileo and Piccasso? Realism or abstract. Can you leave Time in a bottle you may want to read in the future?

"...Right then, John, Lets write a swimming pool now..." - Paul McCartney

When you write and/or compose does your sleeves get in the way? What's on your sleeves. Is it your feelings or snot just to get that metal "feeling"? As a writer/composer, are you sharing what may be relevant to the listener. Some feelings are timeless. Do you want to feel as you do when you write it 20- 30- 40 years after you wrote it every time you hear it? Is this the difference between Galileo and Piccasso? Realism or abstract. Can you leave Time in a bottle you may want to read in the future?

I usually compose for myself, and not with an audient in mind. I find this approach to be the most honest approach.

Of course if I am 'commissioned' so to speak, then I would compose for what the 'director' has in mind.

When you write and/or compose does your sleeves get in the way? What's on your sleeves. Is it your feelings or snot just to get that metal "feeling"? As a writer/composer, are you sharing what may be relevant to the listener. Some feelings are timeless. Do you want to feel as you do when you write it 20- 30- 40 years after you wrote it every time you hear it? Is this the difference between Galileo and Piccasso? Realism or abstract. Can you leave Time in a bottle you may want to read in the future?

I usually compose for myself, and not with an audient in mind. I find this approach to be the most honest approach.

Of course if I am 'commissioned' so to speak, then I would compose for what the 'director' has in mind.

One of the few facets we agree upon.

I gave up "writing" as an active search ... I only "scribe" what I'm given.
As far as composition ( musically ) I go strictly by feel.
Unfortunately my musical " vocabulary " is some what limited.
But I'm learning.

I guess it really depends on circumstances...

Professional:
I'm quite certain that art for art sake is least lucrative and art for pop sake is the most lucrative. The biggest challenge for modern song writers is that the craft of song writing is fallen to dismissal by the industry. They couldn't give a rats ass about the art... Can they sell their products through your catchy "jingle" is what it's come down to.

Personal/Hobbiest:
Anything goes...and that's where real innovation can emerge.


SANS, you used a great term: "Scribe" I find that to be very true when I feel moved, inspired and I have to puke out the words and music ...to express what I don't yet understand...

ETU has interesting point about audiences (which BTW should not be confused for markets).

In both cases, inspiration does not appear to come from concern about audiences.

I do contend that when we merely speak, rarely is it to ourselves... and how many times do we rehearse our dialog as we prepare to interview for a job or ask the boss for a raise, or ask that hot chick out on a date...,, They are audiences.. broad (no pun intended) or narrow.. I believe good songs inherently take this into account.. the object ive being broader expression for mass appeal.

just IMO

Oddly enough though, many times 'songs write themself'!
You might have had the impetus to write something for a BMW commercial but for some reason outside of our control, 2 days later you ended up with something that could have been on Zeppelin III . . . go figure!

My theory here is that when the Muse comes she comes, you can't force her.

I don't have any profound wisdom to give when it comes to writing songs. I pretty much figure out the entire song in my head and then show it to the band. We rehearse it until we say "yay" or "nay" then put it in our repertoire (if "yay"). Then we play it for people. If people like it then it's a keeper. I'm not worried about leaving it for posterity or future generations and I'll bet nobody will confuse me with Galileo or Picassso either.

An interesting concept, there, Etu. Especially That you've mentioned Led Zep. Mona Lisa has lost her smile on that venue, I will be the first to say it. Allison WHO? B>S. Americans wanted to hear a New L.Z., a new handmade opportunity, and What's his freakin' face made a COUPLA' ALBUMS WITH ANYONE BUT HIS FANS AND FRIENDS. Sorry Caps lock and all. Let's see his happy returns. Wish you the best, Jimmy Page.

I don't have any profound wisdom to give when it comes to writing songs. I pretty much figure out the entire song in my head and then show it to the band. We rehearse it until we say "yay" or "nay" then put it in our repertoire (if "yay"). Then we play it for people. If people like it then it's a keeper. I'm not worried about leaving it for posterity or future generations and I'll bet nobody will confuse me with Galileo or Picassso either.

FB, I just listened to your BM page, great voice, reminds me of Kim Wilson. Do you write outside of the blues genre?

By now you may have my writing style/inspiration figured. What ever it Takes,someone is going to break out, Even if I've got to inspire!

I seem to spend most of my time de-composing.


For many years I worked on the craft and learned how to put words together on any subject, then attach music. Sometimes I'd come up with a cool riff and hear a melody...then just fill in the blanks.

But these days a song has to start with a good idea or strong inspiration. Then the words and music seem to be floating low in the air and easy to grab.

Knowing that you're de-composing is half the battle. Decomposing being the first! We are,we are decomposing. Another song for another day. There is none of us (I feel), who can't compose or become compost. Write first, ask question later!

For many years I worked on the craft and learned how to put words together on any subject, then attach music. Sometimes I'd come up with a cool riff and hear a melody...then just fill in the blanks.

But these days a song has to start with a good idea or strong inspiration. Then the words and music seem to be floating low in the air and easy to grab.

The first paragraph above is the same with me, except I put the words together and then someone else attaches music to it. I just give them a general idea of the kind of tempo and general beat I'm looking for. I'll also kind of sing it a cappella, and very often I am either advised that I'm singing it perfectly or I should change the way I'm delivering it in one way or another, so I change it when someone asks me to.

As far as the balance of the song goes, which is to say any of the instrumental parts, I have nothing to do with that and don't plan to.

I disagree with the inspiration aspect that everyone seems to espouse, but be assured, my disagreement is with all due respect to superior musicians. However, I find writing lyrics to be very easy. I've written maybe two inspired songs, lifetime. Most of writing lyrics just involves having a systematic approach and creating a set of rules for the song that you will not break. The are so many synonyms, interchangeable words and verb tenses that slyllable count should never be a problem lasting more than five seconds for a line...

I don't have any profound wisdom to give when it comes to writing songs. I pretty much figure out the entire song in my head and then show it to the band. We rehearse it until we say "yay" or "nay" then put it in our repertoire (if "yay"). Then we play it for people. If people like it then it's a keeper. I'm not worried about leaving it for posterity or future generations and I'll bet nobody will confuse me with Galileo or Picassso either.

FB, I just listened to your BM page, great voice, reminds me of Kim Wilson. Do you write outside of the blues genre?

. Thanks, my tunes are mainly blues oriented. I used to live in New Jersey. I played in a blues band in NJ with guitarist Bill Miller. You may have heard of him.

I disagree with the inspiration aspect that everyone seems to espouse, but be assured, my disagreement is with all due respect to superior musicians. However, I find writing lyrics to be very easy. I've written maybe two inspired songs, lifetime. Most of writing lyrics just involves having a systematic approach and creating a set of rules for the song that you will not break. The are so many synonyms, interchangeable words and verb tenses that slyllable count should never be a problem lasting more than five seconds for a line...

Afraid I have to disagree with your disagreement...

You say lyrics are easy... In a sense, they are... But, A more important question might be , how well do the lyrics resonate with the audience...

So, Here is a challenge for you.... (Your mission Should you decide to accept...)

Write 16 lines (Stanzas of four each) of sage advice to
starving people in Calcutta....

Note: I have no doubt in my mind that you will come up with very clever rhymes... But I'd be looking more for:

1) Meaningfulness
2) Commercially broad... (Resonates with mass appeal)

I give you 72 hours ...

Good luck!