TaoMannaDon

The "reality of being creative" may appear boring to an onlooker. It may feel boring to a poser. But with other creative people or in the quietest solitude there is plentiful joy in the creative process. The reason I don't perform (setting aside my absolute lack of performing talent) is, for me, the boring part begins when the creative part ends. Keep writing, Don

It is probably more accurate to say there have been some writers in successful bands who appeared to be undisciplined. Unless we were there at the time we don't know what their writing process looked like, which might have been different from their public image. Using the word "great" to describe some writers of pop hits is quite a stretch. In my youth, Neil Diamond was one of my favorite songwriters; but, in retrospect, I'm not sure I'd call him a "great" writer. Considering the number of hits he churned out, I expect he was quite disciplined in his writing. Keep writing, Don

Not every song we write will be great, not every song will be good, not every song will be ok, not every song will even be bearable; some will be just crap. You might put the same or more effort into it but it will still be just crap. Our subconscious minds know this and so songs are left unfinished. As long as they're unfinished they still have potential; once finished - just crap. The crap, bearable, ok and good songs have an important function -- they build the skills we need to create the great songs. Finish every song. You need the experience. And it might just pay off someday. Every writer has greatest inside him. Keep writing, Don

And this could be the next line of that song: I love you But your cousin makes me drool Perhaps the three of us could spent some time together

The lyric needs: 1. a purpose - why am I writing this 2. a subject - what is this lyric about 3. a scope - what gets included or excluded 4. a style - is this a story about something that happened or just about a feeling or about something totally mysterious 5. a tone - is it positive, negative, hopeful, mellow, dark, filled with angst or anger 6. a message - what can the listener learn You can think about all of this beforehand or you can sit down and begin to type words and see what happens. You can do like I used to do and pick up the guitar and play through chord sequences uttering nonsense phrases until something good comes out. The thing that works for you right now is what you should do. Don't give up what works. But there is a reason why disciplined, schooled people are productive. They've learned the techniques and don't mind "working" at something they love to do. We might quibble over terminology or what's important but the main thing is: Keep writing, Don

To write from life .... now you know, young writers. The successful, seasoned writer revealed what every young writer should consentrate on, especially if song ideas aren't coming. Write what you know, what you've done, what you've seen, what you've felt, what you've pondered and fretted over. Do that and you'll always have plenty to write about. And the writing will be more authentic, maybe even inspiring. Keep writing, Don

a good songwriter does it for the joy answers inner urges understands the craft dreams of a better life hopes he can inspire thinks he has a chance to know his work is worthy of smiles and tears and pensive moods from those who hear his song Keep writing, Don

C, Am, F, G In the 1960's thousands of songs were written with those chords. Use progressions from songs you like. There is plenty of theory you can learn but if it sounds good it's probably already been used on many songs. Choose your genre and copy the hits, no guicker way to start. Once you learn the popular progressions, you will naturally progress to more original stuff. Keep writing, Don

Can I play? I actually wrote this during the Elephant in the Room challenge but it didn't seem to fit with the other entries so I didn't post it. The Elephant in the Room Verse 1: I walk across the hardwood floor To find out who is at my door But half way there I slip and fall On something usually found .... in an animal stall Chorus: Somebody did his business and left his calling card The elephant in the room is gonna have to stay in our backyard I really need an over-sized shovel And maybe great big broom To clean up the mess that was left behind By the elephant in the room Verse 2: I stumble to my locked front door The wife is home from the grocery store "I forgot my key" is what she said She sees that monstrous mound ... then her face turns red So I told her ... Chorus: Somebody did his business and left his calling card The elephant in the room is gonna have to stay in our backyard I really need an over-sized shovel And maybe great big broom To clean up the mess that was left behind By the elephant in the room Bridge: I said that I was sorry and it won't ever happen again For the next three months I'll guess I'll be sleeping on the sofa in the den All because my floppy-eared buddy .... likes to watch TV But I say "Look at the bright side .... at least he didn't pee" Everybody sing .... Chorus: Somebody did his business and left his calling card The elephant in the room is gonna have to stay in our backyard I really need an over-sized shovel And maybe great big broom To clean up the mess that was left behind By the elephant in the room

I think you have the kernel of a good idea: A workshop? Yes, if enough people get interested. Pick a subject for everyone to write a lyric about? Yes, but probably not a current event and certainly not about politics or religion. No winners or losers? Yes! We discuss the various merits of elements of each song? Yes, provided the discussion and the writers responses stay constructive and provided the goal is and remains that all participants improve their writing skills. Something like this would interest me. I would certainly participate in the discussion on the merits of various elements of the songs in the workshop. Perhaps one requirement might be that the writer label each lyrical section (verse, bridge, chorus) so that the discussion can accurately include proper content for each section. To enhance the "workshop" atmosphere other requirements might be considered. Perhaps both the subject and the lyrical structure (ABAB, ABABCB, AABA) be set by the workshop leader (after an open discussion with forum members). Can a workshop like this attract enough members? Can the final result always be improved writing skills? Design a workshop with a Yes" to both questions and you got something good. The main thing is to .... Keep writing, Don

You can gleen my opinion of contests in the first line of my signature. I'm sure many will think it's a good idea. Why not make a list of both good and bad things about contests and see if, on the whole, it is a positive or negative thing. I won't enter or vote in the contest. It goes against my reason for participating on the forum. Each songwriter is at their own stage of development. Pitting them one against the other doesn't seem beneficial to me. If you can come up with a process that gets a lot of people involved and everybody comes out of the process a better writer, then count me in. Keep writing, Don

Words Got Rhythm Hickory dickory dock The mouse ran up the clock I learned that back when I was just a kid Words in groups have rhythm Some of it we give’m Some of it occurred when the words were made Words are one wind instrument we’ve all played Prosody can explain it Practicing can maintain it Once you understand it You’ll think somebody planned it And they did

Phil You can download a demo here: Band In A Box demo The program comes with videos that help. If you know chords, you can type them in and it will create a song in the style you choose. If you don't know chords you can ask it to create a song for you. The more you learn, the better it works. Download the demo first. Maybe you can answer your own questions. I don't have a answer for you because I'm not certain what you're asking. And I'm a long way from my home computer right now. Other people here use the program. I'm sure you can get the answers you need one way or another.