[gallery]
When The Song Becomes A Monster
by Kirsti Manna
I’ve been busy since I published my last newsletter. It’s always funny to me when someone asks me, “So, what have you been doing?” My mind begins to race as I think of everything I’m working on…at once! Diversity is the key for me.
I’ve been writing so much since the beginning of the new year, it’s hard to believe we’re almost to the end of February. I’ve been working on Songwriter Girl Camp and getting ready to launch a radio show called, yes, you guessed it, “Songwriter Girl” on BlogTalkRadio.com. I’m excited about that! It will be a live radio show and you can call in! Love to talk, in case you didn’t know that already.
This past week I had the opportunity to speak to the Advanced Songwriting Class at MTSU. The head of the program is Hal Newman and we first met through a mentoring program I was involved with at ASCAP/Nashville.
Part of my visit to the class was getting to listen to the students perform one song.
I heard some really good songs, so much talent there!
One student asked me what I did when I got stuck on a song. I replied, “Do you mean when the song becomes a monster?” He laughed and said, “Yes!”
Here are some of my tips to prevent this harrowing songwriter experience!
1. Take a break
I know you’ve heard me say this before, but I guess I can’t say it enough. You may be suffering from momentary brain lock. This happens to all of us, so don’t despair. Sometimes just a 15 minute break will do wonders and completely rejuvenate you. Take a walk, Take a nap. Go outside and sit in the sun. Listen to some inspiring music.
2. Make a road map
Take some time and consider where the song is going. Who are the characters in the song? What is their relationship to each other? Is the song “in the moment” or projecting into the future?
Re-think some of these angles. If you are co-writing, talk it out with your co-writer. I can always get clear by making the time for this very important step.
3. Read your current lyric out loud
This might seem a little crazy, but this trick always helps me so much. I seem to be able to get a better grip on if the lyric is conversational enough. If it sounds too poetic, it probably is. I’ve heard of this method being called the “Waylon Test” (Check out some Waylon Jennings music, a country music icon and one of the founders of the Outlaw movement along with Tompall Glaser and Willie Nelson). Supposedly, Waylon would read the song lyric out loud to test it’s effectiveness.
4. Flip flop
Consider moving your lyric around. There’s a very good possibility that the first verse may work better as the second verse (what a dream that would be..the second verse, hardest verse to write!). Sometimes what you think is chorus material really belongs in the bridge. Be open to these kinds of changes.
5. What rhymes with…..?
Talk about more brain lock! You may need to pursue another rhyme scheme. Sometimes just taking the rhyme in another direction can open you up to so many more possibilities. You may be more inspired by making that small change as well. If you don’t already use this resource, try Rhyme Zone, it’s my fave internet rhyming stop.
6. Support the hook
Are you sure you are driving it home and truly supporting your hook?
Sometimes the verse and chorus can seem like two completely different songs. Probably not a best case scenario unless you are deliberately writing that way.
7. Start with the chorus
One of my favorite co-writers, David Kent performed in Hall and Oates band. (Please check
out their amazingly catchy hits.) David has mentioned several times that Daryl Hall always said
“If you have a great chorus, start the song with it.”
8. Melody overhaul
Do you love your melody? Is it completely singable and memorable? Record just the melody (without singing your current lyrics) and play it back and then…be honest about it. Sometimes
tweaking the melody can open up a whole new world for your lyric.
9. The long and the short of it
I know there can be a lot to say in a song, but you may not have time to say it all.
Could your verse just be too long? Is it taking too long to get to the chorus? In Nashville we say, “get to the money.” Most listeners won’t hang in forever so consider that. You may have two verses worth rolled into one. This goes back to tip #3, you may need to flip flop some ideas and sections around.
10. Let it shine
Whatever you do, enjoy the time spent with yourself or your co-writer. It can be difficult to write a song, I won’t lie. Songwriting is not rocket science, it is making art and hopefully art that can be moving to both yourself and also to others. If you are currently beating yourself up about what isn’t working, please stop immediately. Songwriting is your chance to shine and express yourself in the truest light. Have fun and enjoy the journey.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Be inspired!
No Comments Yet