A reflective project diary can pay dividends later

[GregB]

Some people (even family and friends) think that me recording and releasing my own songs is chest-puffing and self-aggrandisement.  And then to go on and write about it is simply narcissism and self-absortion.  

 

I can't say say they are wrong.  I'd like to think NOT, but who REALLY knows one's own underlying pyschology and motivations?

 

But, from a practical viewpoint, how else can a back-room singer-songwriter/producer, especially if I don't perform in public, ever get my work noticed or heard?  Other than forking out a steady stream of big bucks to 'promoters' ('payola' by any other measure) and, even then, no-one can guarantee results.  Click farms would be unable to lift any track above the hundreds of thousands of daily releases.

 

HOWEVER, in my own limited experience, WRITING about your work (preferably before you forget the details) does have many benefits, e.g.:

1. It helps cement memories (from a very intense/confused period), ideas, techniques, wrong/right decisions
2. Anything you write can be re-purposed ... whether verbatim or after re-writing ... for:
   1. Social media 
   2. Posts to special interest groups (e.g. Songstuff!)
   3. Website
   4. Liner notes
   5. Songbooks
   6. Podcast scripts
   7. Emails to industry contacts
   8. Legacy information for your family
3. Writing itself has many benefits:
   1. it lubricates the mind in general (no mean feat)
   2. it oils the pathway of thoughts-to-words ... a facility that can only help lyrics flow more easily when you need them
   3. for me, just 'talking' about music helps keep the interest alive 
4. Copy/pasting old material is a boon when you're pressed for time, or if (like me) you simply hate freshly rewriting stuff you've written before. 
5. If it already exists then the time/effort barrier associated with generating 'new' content is a LOT lower

 

In my own case, large slabs of 'memories' have been repurposed for my website (where there's a page for each track), the Songbooks (one per album) which include 'making-of' chapters, Podcast episodes (I'm now up to Ep#6), posts to Songstuff, and many Facebooks posts to my own pages and those of special-interest groups about songwriting, producing, DAW-specific, etc..

 

 

 

Edited September 7 by GregB

[VoiceEx]

I don't have a diary per say but yeah I agree that writing about your work, as well as documenting it, can be very useful in all sorts of ways 👍 Especially if there is an interesting backstory or an actual story behind your music.

Edited September 7 by VoiceEx

[john]

Can anyone really say that their motivation is purely one thing? Or that actions, even charity work, are entirely altruistic? Even if part of the picture is that we feel good when we conduct charitable works, then at some level that will be part of what motivates us to do it.

 

My point is, it might be chest-puffing, self-aggrandising. That being the case are either of those things bad? Maybe less positive if it is your primary motivation, but when you work on and build skills, when you deliver art for your enjoyment and the enjoyment of others… I think a bit of pride in your achievements is perfectly acceptable. After all, you worked hard to achieve them. You devoted your time, your money and a lot of sacrifice, emotion and not a little risk and vulnerability… so to those who question your motivations, and like to insinuate base motivations…., there speaks jealousy. It is ever such. There speaks a bully, intent on pumping themselves up by making your feel and look bad. There speaks someone desperate to be relevant and by making cheap shots, even unspoken, within their own mind… they try to diminish your achievement to make themselves feel better, more worthy. I’m Scottish, we’re experts a shooting anyone in the head for being “too big for their own boots”, by gaining success when putting their heads above the parapet. Still, it’s a land where every second word is a swear word, and every sentence is sarcastic, a creative insult or a semi-serious comedic put-down. our rebuke would be two words. A four letter word begining with F and the second word being Off.

 

On your second comment about writing about it…. I think they’ve got you bang on!

 

I jest of course. You know what, no one is forcing them to read it. No matter they will have a strong opinion on it and I bet they never read it. So again, I have the same comment.

 

Jealousy is a pretty sad emotion. Celebrate people’s wins. Especially friends and family. Cheer them on. Be happy for them. If they want to wallow in negativity and questioning motives, it’s their time, and their life. I say, turn it into an audio book and send them that as their Christmas present.

 

Cheers

 

John

[GregB]

20 hours ago, john said:

I’m Scottish, we’re experts a shooting anyone in the head for being “too big for their own boots”

 

Same in England.

In Australia, the syndrome is expressed as 'cutting down the tall poppy'  

[john]

1 hour ago, GregB said:

 

Same in England.

In Australia, the syndrome is expressed as 'cutting down the tall poppy'  

 

“Whit? Think yer sumfin special, the bees knees, eh? Aye, if ah wiz chocolate I’d eat me? Nae chance big yin. I’ll learn ya. Away ‘n’ bile yer head. Ye’ve a face like a well skelped arse, ya baw bag.”

 

We prefer a fairly descriptive form.

[VoiceEx]

On 9/8/2024 at 2:50 AM, john said:

“Whit? Think yer sumfin special, the bees knees, eh? Aye, if ah wiz chocolate I’d eat me? Nae chance big yin. I’ll learn ya. Away ‘n’ bile yer head. Ye’ve a face like a well skelped arse, ya baw bag.”

 

"Learn English" they said. "Its the same everywhere in the world. You'll be fine". They lied 🤣👍
 

[john]

4 hours ago, VoiceEx said:

 

"Learn English" they said. "Its the same everywhere in the world. You'll be fine". They lied 🤣👍
 

 

Just as well I was using the barely recognised International Glaswegian, and not a broader form of our local dialect. By that I mean a version of Glaswegian (the dialect spoken in Glasgow, Scotland), much slowed down with more “normal” English pronunciation (not according to almost anyone who speaks English) slotted in. For example “head” not the more common “heid”. Lol In Scotland we have two strong flavours in Auld Scots and Doric, plus we have a lot of patois with Scots Gaelic and English. It makes it interesting for foreigners (people from the next glen (valley) when we add alcohol and move up in speed from our normal speech to almost double.

 

To put that into perspective, a UK TV presenter talks at a leisurely 83.54 words per minute.

 

A sober Glaswegian talks at 218.13 word per minute, and our accent can be strong and our language pretty salty with a lot of slang and swearing. We are, imho, among the worlds most creative insulters.

 

I used to work with Americans, Australians and Europeans that spoke English. So I am used to speaking slower with more recognisable words. When Songstuff staff started having skype calls it still took Mahesh and Peggy some adjusting to understand me lol.

[VoiceEx]

7 hours ago, john said:

Just as well I was using the barely recognised International Glaswegian, and not a broader form of our local dialect. By that I mean a version of Glaswegian (the dialect spoken in Glasgow, Scotland), much slowed down with more “normal” English pronunciation (not according to almost anyone who speaks English) slotted in. For example “head” not the more common “heid”. Lol In Scotland we have two strong flavours in Auld Scots and Doric, plus we have a lot of patois with Scots Gaelic and English. It makes it interesting for foreigners (people from the next glen (valley) when we add alcohol and move up in speed from our normal speech to almost double.

 

Thank you for telling me! I'm afraid I don't know much about Scotland's culture and dialects. But I find it as being fascinating, because, for me, a "none native", the way that different dialect's and sentences are both formed, used, and expressed, are elements that I try to pay close attention too. Not just as a songwriter and writer, but also because I'm constantly trying to improve my English, as well as my limited understanding and usage of it.

 

To put that in perspective, I understood what you meant and what you were saying. But it took me a few seconds to piece together that "big yin" is a term of endearment towards someone that's older than you. I imagine that for you this is silly, but for me its fascinating lol

 

7 hours ago, john said:

A sober Glaswegian talks at 218.13 word per minute, and our accent can be strong and our language pretty salty with a lot of slang and swearing. We are, imho, among the worlds most creative insulters.

 

If you can speak this fast than perhaps you should consider having a go at rapping 👍

 

7 hours ago, john said:

I used to work with Americans, Australians and Europeans that spoke English. So I am used to speaking slower with more recognisable words. When Songstuff staff started having skype calls it still took Mahesh and Peggy some adjusting to understand me lol.

 

There's no doubt in my mind lol. Hell. If you and I would talk on Skype, I would kinda have to ask you to slow things down until I'm adjusted. Otherwise, I'd have to record you or ask for a transcript lol.

[john]

5 hours ago, VoiceEx said:

"big yin"

 

Also used affectionately for tall people, and with a degree of respect I think, so not all tall people might be so referred to.

 

"The Big Yin" is our local slang name for Billy Connolly. He was known in his old workplace, the Glasgow shipyards, as "Big Yin", but his rise to prominence as a national then global star of comedy saw it being "The Big Yin" as a mark of respect. Say "the Big Yin" to any Glaswegian and they know exactly who you are talking about.

 

5 hours ago, VoiceEx said:

If you and I would talk on Skype, I would kinda have to ask you to slow things down until I'm adjusted. Otherwise, I'd have to record you or ask for a transcript lol

 

I think I am not too bad. I've largely learned to slow to a slow TV presenter pace here when talking to non-Glaswegians, especially non-Scots. I will leave @Peggy and @Mahesh to attest to how effective that is LOL

[Peggy]

15 hours ago, john said:

When Songstuff staff started having skype calls it still took Mahesh and Peggy some adjusting to understand me lol.

True.  I found it pretty funny that  Mahesh's accent was easier for me to understand than John's. Haha!!

[Peggy]

7 hours ago, VoiceEx said:

15 hours ago, john said:

A sober Glaswegian talks at 218.13 word per minute, and our accent can be strong and our language pretty salty with a lot of slang and swearing. We are, imho, among the worlds most creative insulters.

Expand  

 

If you can speak this fast than perhaps you should consider having a go at rapping 👍

Great idea. John?

[john]

6 hours ago, Peggy said:

Great idea. John?

 

A rap with a Scots accent…. Super fast, only snag only Scots would understand it. Everyone else would just hear a sorta rhythmic Groundsman Willie lmao

[VoiceEx]

On 9/10/2024 at 11:05 PM, john said:

"The Big Yin" is our local slang name for Billy Connolly. He was known in his old workplace, the Glasgow shipyards, as "Big Yin", but his rise to prominence as a national then global star of comedy saw it being "The Big Yin" as a mark of respect. Say "the Big Yin" to any Glaswegian and they know exactly who you are talking about.

 

Thank you for telling me, as I would have never been able to guess that! 👍

 

On 9/10/2024 at 11:05 PM, john said:

I think I am not too bad. I've largely learned to slow to a slow TV presenter pace here when talking to non-Glaswegians, especially non-Scots. I will leave @Peggy and @Mahesh to attest to how effective that is LOL

 

Yeah I've heard the interview you did with @Mahesh. It wasn't so bad. If that's how you normally talk in English, I could probably manage. That is, as long as we don't warp drive deep into Klingon territory 😅👍

[VoiceEx]

On 9/11/2024 at 7:23 AM, john said:

A rap with a Scots accent…. Super fast, only snag only Scots would understand it. Everyone else would just hear a sorta rhythmic Groundsman Willie lmao

 

Are you kidding? Not only would I buy it, I would also blast it when I'm stuck in traffic, for good measure! 😅👍 Not to mention, I'm also not above removing the vocals, isolating them, reversing them, and setting that bad boy loose in the middle of the night, as if it were a summoning ritual of some sort. And coming from me, that wouldn't be farfetched either. My neighbors have seen some shit, I'll tell ya that 🤣

 

[carolsokoloff]

Good suggestion. I am involved in a new recording project and I will start writing about it. I like the idea of a page for each song on a website.