codajack

I did the same thing with this competition you did: looked at past winners. All very complex bop instrumental pieces. I would try my luck if I had the extra money, but I just entered two songs in the jazz category of USA Songwriting Competition(forget the weblink, I have it somewhere). The past winners of that jazz category are more varied and some are vocals with lyrics, so I figured I'd have more of a chance. The category thing seems to be the same with the John Lennon competition: the winners of the jazz division seem to be instrumentals only. But, I'd try my luck if you have the money. The commitees may decide its time for a vocal tune to win. I don't know how can it be considered a "song" without words either(without being Mendelsohn). Maybe its just a way of getting more submissions in the category. I imagine the "country" and "americana" categories are pretty submission heavy on their own.

I saw him on video a couple of years back. I think he also chews gum WHILE he's singing somehow. Funny, I thought he looked bored. As if he was thinking, "I really should be doing something with my feet......" A lot of Beatles tunes start out with the chorus. If ever I get in a rut with forms, I usually listen to one of their albums. Also, as far as solos go when just playing with you and your instrument, you don't have to be a genius, you can just play a chordal variation of part of the melody. The Beatles did that a lot, too. But, they are/were geniuses.