Introduction

[Gav]

Hi,

 

I am from Warrington, England, 39 years old and it's only really been in recent years that I have flirted with song writing despite always being quite poetically talented but at the same time quite rebellious as a kid, I just didn't ever consider following this path.

 

I started penning lyrics a year or two ago and entered my first couple of songs into the UKSC (UK songwriting contest), these came back with 4 star highly commended and semi finalist results. I need to throw myself into a community of more musically minded people to learn from and gain critique from etc, hence why I am here.

 

I cannot play any instruments though I am currently learning guitar and getting used to music technology/software, this side of things really doesn't come easy to me but words and lyrics, ideas concepts etc flow through me like a constantly turned on tap. 

 

Any advice, help guidance or ideas on paths worth following would be greatly appreciated. 

 

Look forward to hearing from you all.

 

Cheers

Gav

[Peggy]

Welcome to Songstuff, Gav.  

[Gav]

Thanks Peggy looking forward to finding my way around the site… any advice or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

[Peggy]

2 hours ago, Gav said:

Thanks Peggy looking forward to finding my way around the site… any advice or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

I see you've found the lyric critique board.  I'll get some board links together that may be helpful. 

 

 

2 hours ago, Gav said:

UKSC (UK songwriting contest), these came back with 4 star highly commended and semi finalist results.

 

Congrats on your lyric succes

 

Peggy

[Gav]

Thanks Peggy that would be amazing 

[john]

Hey Gav, welcome to Songstuff! Good to have you with us!

 

Great that you are already learning an instrument. It isn’t uncommon for poets to crossover to become lyrics writers. Too few initially understand that lyrics are not poems and that musicality adds a dimension they cannot ignore. Sure some might co-write with a talented musician who helps their words adjust to this new reality, but learning an instrument along with understanding new lyrics guidelines (not rules, never rules!) and when they can be ignored to positive effect or listened to for the same. Point is, great that you are pursuing this avenue.

 

[Gav]

Hi john,

 

thank you mate, this is kind of why I’m here to be honest, I can make my poetry a song with a structure and a beat i my head that works I can almost hear it in my head as I say it but actually creating the sound and even learning how to play music is a real real sticking point for me. It’s frustrating as hell when you have so much to say but really struggle to create the sound you want to go with it.

 

I would love nothing more than for someone to send me 10 different pieces of music to alllw me to wrap words around, it just isn’t going to happen and to be honest I wouldn’t even know where to start and it means I’m learning nothing on a musical front really so I keep on plodding hoping my ears will catch up to the words I preach 😂

 

cheers again mate

 

gav

[TheGarageJump]

Welcome to Songstuff Gav, bags of support for you on this site, as you have found already. In terms of musicianship, (and btw I like your influences and you'll know this I reckon), Jim Morrison couldn't play an instrument well (other than be a great singer and crooner), though he couldn't half put a song together.....another observation - just my own opinion...the first Stone Roses album is one of the best albums ever.....👍

[Gav]

That first album is unreal not a week goes by without me listening to that album at least once, no other album on the planet can change my mood as instantly as that one… the 2nd album you could argue was too experimental too early but is still a good album. feedback so far has been great gets me thinking for sure… I’ve got a real story to tell that the world really does need to hear, it borders on the unbelievable if im honest, which is why I am having a bit of a hard time trying to work out the best way to tell it whilst trying to stay as true as I can to current trends and why a lot of my stuff reads like im out on lsd yet I’ve never really done drugs other than a bit of weed when I was a kid 😂… im currently dabbling with GarageBand as I’ve had the music to most of these songs I’ve written in my head for sometime without really having the outlet or the ability to express them… thanks for your comments mate much appreciated.

[john]

4 hours ago, Gav said:

That first album is unreal not a week goes by without me listening to that album at least once, no other album on the planet can change my mood as instantly as that one… the 2nd album you could argue was too experimental too early but is still a good album. feedback so far has been great gets me thinking for sure… I’ve got a real story to tell that the world really does need to hear, it borders on the unbelievable if im honest, which is why I am having a bit of a hard time trying to work out the best way to tell it whilst trying to stay as true as I can to current trends and why a lot of my stuff reads like im out on lsd yet I’ve never really done drugs other than a bit of weed when I was a kid 😂… im currently dabbling with GarageBand as I’ve had the music to most of these songs I’ve written in my head for sometime without really having the outlet or the ability to express them… thanks for your comments mate much appreciated.

Stick with playing and it will come. Meanwhile keep writing and when you get a chance, collaborate.

 

Imagination remains the most easily to access but often overlooked drugs on the planet.