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The Path of the Song:
Deconstructing the
Songwriting Process
By Amanda Garrigues |
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I have to be honest. I procrastinated for days, even weeks in writing
this article. I had no outline, no focus and certainly no inspiration.
Ideas buzzed around me like hungry mosquitoes, but I never made
the time to actually begin writing. I often approach songwriting
like I approached this article: reluctantly. Usually I avoid songwriting
at all costs until I become so bored with my life, I succumb to
the muse. I know some of you songwriters out there can relate.
Songwriting, like any creative process, can be very elusive, but
when the "juices are flowing," it can be magical. Keep in mind that
"songwriting" is a broad topic, and every artist has his or her
own songwriting conventions. The concepts that follow are what I
believe to be general struggles songwriters face with some
helpful hints along the way.
Starting at the beginning.
Some people start with the lyrics; some people start with the
music, but all of us start with an inspiration. My friend, Daniel
Nevins, an amazing painter in North Carolina, describes his inspirational
moments as angels visiting him. He also says that when they call,
he pays attention!
Writer's Block.
I have suffered through long periods of writer's block. I've learned
that when I am blocked creatively, it's usually due to one (or all
three) of the following:
1) negative beliefs about myself as a writer,
2) the desire for immediate greatness in that one song, and
3) good old-fashioned fear. Inspirations for songs, and some times
entire songs come to me when I am open to them.
Structuring your song.
Once I have something to write about, I begin to structure the song.
I am a self-proclaimed "word-girl". This means that lyrics are very
important to me. Subsequently, I usually start with the lyrics or
have some sort of lyrical idea in mind. In fact, I often have an
entire song written lyrically before I put any music to it. At that
point, I pick up my guitar and begin playing chord progressions.
Sometimes the chords are ones I have been hearing in my head for
days; sometimes I just play around the fret board until I find something
I like. Once I have three or four chords, I begin adding the lyrics
and playing with the phrasing. I often use the verse/chorus/verse
formula, but that's certainly only one way to do it. I do try to
experiment with different formulas to avoid all my songs sounding
the same.
Inspiration.
Keep in mind that inspiration comes from all different sources.
Maria Christensen, a New York based singer-songwriter says, "I have
no idea why, but I always seem to get song ideas when I am walking
through a mall." Performing Songwriter, v. 7 (45), May 2000.
Christensen has written songs for Jennifer Lopez and Hootie and
the Blowfish.
When I am into writing the song and have the basic skeleton for
it, I think about the message I am sending. I think about the way
the verses are shaped. I ask questions like "Am I moving the audience
with this?"; "Is this line really saying something new?"; "Didn't
I use this chord progression in the last three songs I wrote?" I
am a big believer in rough drafts. I used to think that I had to
have the song finished on the first run. Once in while, the song
does write itself, but not always. Expecting that out of myself
for every song is a little ambitious and unrealistic. I might have
several drafts before the song is complete. In addition, I might
have a song that I started years ago, and only now am I able to
complete it.
Giving it time.
I believe that songs gestate for the amount of time necessary, and
one day they are born. One of my songs took at least three months
to write. I had lyrics for the entire song and music for the verses.
However, I didn't have music for the chorus. There was no solid
hook, and it was really weighing on me. I knew it was a good song,
but I couldn't find that piece. I would sing the skeleton of the
song over and over in my head, hoping and trying to come up with
something. One day the piece I was looking for landed in my lap.
I think I was trying too hard to come up with something brilliant
and sophisticated. Once I simplified it, the chorus was right in
front of me. I went straight home, recorded it and the song was
done. My point in telling you all this is that I stayed with the
song. I kept at it and I didn't run away from my responsibility
to it. It stayed with me, so I stayed with it.
After the song is done, I try to leave it alone for a while. If
I feel it's good enough to perform, I will start adding it to my
set list. After I've played it a few times, I start to see it objectively
and make any necessary changes in the arrangement. In my situation,
I usually write alone, and then I bring the completed effort to
the band. This means the song is up for scrutiny and improvement.
Most of the time that's okay. I know I have ultimate veto power,
and I trust the players in the band. I try to do what is best for
the song, NOT what is best for my ego.
Co-writing.
I want to touch on co-writing here. Co-writing used to be a
bad word in my book. I felt like co-writing was weak, and the best
singer-songwriters locked themselves away for months and produced
masterpieces - alone. Well, I am starting to rethink that. Those
ideas are more about ego, and a desire for everyone to think I am
great rather than writing a good song.
Some final thoughts: As an independent artist, I have to wear many
hats. Sometimes, it seems like the songwriting one gets the least
amount of wear, so I do the best that I can to make time for it.
For example, I record every idea that I have and then play the tape
in my car while I am driving around. I find that it helps me to
get in the creative frame of mind that lets ideas flow more readily.
Finally, a few tips for the road ...
1. Be open to everything around you for inspiration.
2. Stay with the song as long as it stays with you.
3. It's okay to be a beginner.
4. Less is more.
5. Don't be afraid of co-writing; sometimes two heads are better
than one.
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_________________________________
Amanda Garrigues is a singer and songwriter based in Gainesville,
Florida. She runs her own label, Average Sinner Records. For more
info check out Amanda's official Web site:
http://www.amandagarrigues.com
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_________________________________
Amanda Garrigues recently released a 9-song cd titled "Groundswell".
It can be purchased at:
http://www.cdbaby.com/view/garrigues2
or directly through her Web site. |
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