ot: calling all songwriters!

Whistle
1

members -

since i rediscovered the musical side of me with the simple, yet beautiful melodic instrument which brings us all together, i have thought, “hey, maybe i’d enjoy writing songs…” sometimes i just enjoy improvising melodies in my head (or fingers). i also enjoy words and poetry.

now, i know there are a lot of lyricists on this forum (at least people who like to express themselves in words); and i assume that most of these - at least -play the whistle.

which brings me to my question: are these two ingredients enough to dabble in songwriting? to be serious about songwriting, do i need a polyphonic instrument? is mastery of keyboard, guitar/mandolin/ukelele a prerequisite for good songwriting?

my assumption is, that if i go from lyrics->melody or from melody->lyrics, then i will really need to put some harmony in to make the song complete.

are there songwriters out there that can speak from experience? of course, erudite theories are also welcome.

happy spring!

  • tom
2

French

Like many other arts of passion, there is no “Right” or “Wrong” way to write music. Just as there is no right or wrong way to paint a picture, make a movie or kiss someone.

There are formulas to making a “hit”

Tried and true ways to make writing a song easier, or more commercial, but at the end of the day, a song comes from inside the writer, his soul, his or her way.

For me, when I write a song, it has to come from the heart. If I feel it, chances are my listener will feel it. Often times a song is almost a form of self councelling, you have some emotions or ideas in your head that are sorted through in the writing of the song. Other times it is just an act of joy.

Sometimes I write songs at the piano, others at the guitar, sometimes on the beach with not instruments at all. Some songs come music first, some words, others a mixture. I have begun songs on napkins at the side of the road when I just had to pull the car over lest I forget a line or two.

The important thing is that you write.

I read once that the best way to write anything is to not care about the beginning, write it bad, it doesn’t matter. It gets you going. Then, after the juices flow and your are well into the project, go back and fix the beginning if you need to. I really like that advice.

If you are feeling the urge to write, do it! Use your whistle or what ever motivates you. Your soul and heart will tell you when and IF you need to get a guitar, piano, or other musician to give it more depth or notes.

Just like when an artist knows when Black and White are not enough to express himself, you will know when or if you need more notes.

Enjoy!

3

Well, I’m not a songwriter myself, and I don’t know if my theories are particularly erudite, but I’m going to answer anyway. :wink:

The way I see it, if you have a tune in your head and you like it, write it down and enjoy it! Don’t worry too much about being the next big hit on the radio. If you do find you like doing it, and you then want to move on to the next level, then fine, but start out just enjoying your own music. (Gee, wouldn’t Lee Marsh be proud of me??)

:slight_smile:
Steven

4

French–

It depends on what your goal is.

If you want to write tunes, you can certainly use the whistle; in fact few instruments lend themselves better to making up beautiful but simple (or not so simple) melodies.

If you want to write actual songs (with lyrics), then it helps to have an instrument to accompany, but it still isn’t necessary. Lots of songs lend themselves to singing accapella, and some can’t really be done justice any other way.

On the other hand, playing guitar, piano, accordian, whatever can lend a whole new dimension to songwriting. If you want to go there, find yourself a good guitar teacher (most towns will have at least a couple hiding out somewhere). Before you start lessons, talk it over with them and tell them what your goals are. Learn some basic chords, how to put them together into progressions, some strum and/or finger patterns to get you started. Once you’re on the way you can figure many things out for yourself. Some of my “best” melodies have actually sprung from noodling with my guitar and coming up with a really powerful chord progression; then it’s a matter of grabbing a whistle or firing up the old vocal chords and finding a melody to fit.

Whichever way you go, remember to have patience. Some famous musician or other once said “Ambition is the death of the artist.” I don’t think he meant ambition to be better, but sometimes creativity just has to happen. Trying to force it is sort of like trying to force bread to rise faster: It usually just kills it, or at least makes it come out a lot less beautiful than it should.

Finally and most importantly, remember that as an artist YOU get to be the ONLY judge of quality. I’ve always said that if it speaks to you and it’s from the heart, it’s good. I’ve written a few “good” songs by this definition. I have yet to make any money from any of them. :laughing:

Good luck!

Tom

5

Just go for it. Start where the inspiration strikes you. If it’s a melody, start there. If it’s lyrics, start there. If it’s a chord progression, start there. The main thing is to START.

The next step is to re-write, and re-write, and then re-write. Most great songs don’t just happen. They have to be refined.

There’s an excellent book called The Craft of Lyric Writing, by Sheila Davis. She discusses things like song form, writing technique, & chord progressions. I highly recommend it.

6

wow!

thanks for these great answers. i guess all of you are saying, “just do it!” that’s all i needed. and i certainly shall.

  • tom

p.s. or maybe i just need someone to help me rationalise the purchase of a mandolin or keyboard :wink: