Have you been writing in your journal everyday?
If over the last few weeks since I have started this channel you have been writing regularly in your journal then now is the time to have a look at what you have written and try to either decipher it or glean any songwriting ideas from it.
If you haven't (or this is the first time you have come across Corey Stewart Songwriting Tips) then it's not too late to start. Actually, the best time to start will be soon after you have read this article.
Archive for October of 2004
Songwriting Idea #6 - How Is Your Journal Going?
October 27, 2004Songwriter Focus #4 - Heather Frahn
October 25, 2004
You are in for a treat.
Heather Frahn has been playing and writing songs for a while now and she is only 25 years of age. I have had the pleasure of working in her band for about 2 years or so (as her bass player) and Im very happy that she has taken up the songwriter focus challenge.
Heather Frahn has been playing and writing songs for a while now and she is only 25 years of age. I have had the pleasure of working in her band for about 2 years or so (as her bass player) and Im very happy that she has taken up the songwriter focus challenge.
Here is what she had to say......
Singer/Songwriter - Some Songs For You To Listen To
October 23, 2004
Finally, I have some songs online, yay!!
You have read my articles about many things to do with songwriting but the true indicator of my craft is not the articles that I write but the songs themselves. Thanks to SoundClick I now have two songs for you to listen to.
Feel free to let me know what you think. Step this way please :)
You have read my articles about many things to do with songwriting but the true indicator of my craft is not the articles that I write but the songs themselves. Thanks to SoundClick I now have two songs for you to listen to.
Feel free to let me know what you think. Step this way please :)
Singer/Songwriter - The Value Of Open Mics
October 22, 2004
Putting it bluntly, open mics ROCK!
An open mic session is a forum for performers to put their name down on a list and have the opportunity to play a few songs. You dont get paid as such but the exposure for the beginning singer/songwriter is invaluable.
Heres why.......
An open mic session is a forum for performers to put their name down on a list and have the opportunity to play a few songs. You dont get paid as such but the exposure for the beginning singer/songwriter is invaluable.
Heres why.......
Songwriter Focus #3 - Geoffrey Stapleton
October 20, 2004
Todays songwriter focus is on Geoffrey Stapleton
He is the keyboard player and one of the songwriters for "Ganggajang" one of the most loved, revered and respected bands in Australia best known for their #1 hit "Sounds Of Them (This Is Australia)"
He is the keyboard player and one of the songwriters for "Ganggajang" one of the most loved, revered and respected bands in Australia best known for their #1 hit "Sounds Of Them (This Is Australia)"
Take special note about what he says regarding his view on what the most important aspect of songwriting is.......
Songwriting Idea #5 - From Mountains To Molehills
October 18, 2004
"It was like this sentence that turned into a paragraph that turned into a mini series" - Madonna
I think the above quote is a perfect description of another way in which a song can be formed. Write an essay about something and then condense it into a song.
I think the above quote is a perfect description of another way in which a song can be formed. Write an essay about something and then condense it into a song.
Songwriter Focus #2 - Simon James Betts
October 18, 2004
Welcome to part two of the songwriter focus series.
As you will see from his candid answers Simon is not someone who mucks around with words. He is a very direct writer who knows what he wants. He does bring up a good point about who you show your songs too.
As you will see from his candid answers Simon is not someone who mucks around with words. He is a very direct writer who knows what he wants. He does bring up a good point about who you show your songs too.
Lets see what Simon has to say for himself.....
Songwriting Tip - Keeping It Simple
October 16, 2004
Have you heard of the KISS principle?
It stands for 'keep it simple stupid' (the last S can mean anything you like of course) and it is a good rule of thumb for writing songs.
If the main components of a song are the melody and the lyrics then why would you want to complicate things by adding more to it than you need?
It stands for 'keep it simple stupid' (the last S can mean anything you like of course) and it is a good rule of thumb for writing songs.
If the main components of a song are the melody and the lyrics then why would you want to complicate things by adding more to it than you need?
Songwriter Focus #1 - Corey Stewart
October 15, 2004
Ok, it had to happen sooner or later.
You have been reading all this stuff I have posted now its time to get up close and personal with me.
Seriously though, these series of articles will allow you to see what other writers (besides myself) are doing out there. I hope what they say will inspire you in some way. Now, where were we? Thats right. Lets start with me................
You have been reading all this stuff I have posted now its time to get up close and personal with me.
Seriously though, these series of articles will allow you to see what other writers (besides myself) are doing out there. I hope what they say will inspire you in some way. Now, where were we? Thats right. Lets start with me................
Songwriting Idea #4 - Practice Active Listening
October 13, 2004
There is a huge difference between hearing and listening.
When we hear someone talk what we normally do is think a few steps ahead and therefore miss out on the whole conversation. However, if we as songwriters practise the art of actively listening we wont miss out on anything and therefore we gain more opportunity for gathering song ideas.
When we hear someone talk what we normally do is think a few steps ahead and therefore miss out on the whole conversation. However, if we as songwriters practise the art of actively listening we wont miss out on anything and therefore we gain more opportunity for gathering song ideas.
Songwriting Help - Don't Be Afraid To Ask
October 10, 2004
Remember, we are all in this songwriting thing together.
Someone once said to me that the only stupid questions are the ones you dont ask. I sincerely agree. Knowledge is gained through experience and asking questions and I would like to have a go at answering whatever question about songwriting you care to ask.
If I dont know the answer I'll make sure I get it for you.
Someone once said to me that the only stupid questions are the ones you dont ask. I sincerely agree. Knowledge is gained through experience and asking questions and I would like to have a go at answering whatever question about songwriting you care to ask.
If I dont know the answer I'll make sure I get it for you.
Songwriting 101 - The Verse
October 07, 2004
If the chorus of a song is the destination then the verses are the journey towards it.
Verses set up the foundation for where the chorus sits on top. If you can make the verses of your songs flow towards a killer chorus then you are halfway there in creating a song that people will gravitate to.
Verses set up the foundation for where the chorus sits on top. If you can make the verses of your songs flow towards a killer chorus then you are halfway there in creating a song that people will gravitate to.
Songwriting Tip - Always Be Pepared
October 06, 2004
It's amazing where songs come from.
I was asked not long ago to lead a songwriting workshop for SCALA (the songwriting organization that I belong to). It was on the topic of 'how to get songwriting ideas'.
In researching for my talk I realised that ideas for songs that I have written have come from the most unlikely places. This was most interesting to me.
I was asked not long ago to lead a songwriting workshop for SCALA (the songwriting organization that I belong to). It was on the topic of 'how to get songwriting ideas'.
In researching for my talk I realised that ideas for songs that I have written have come from the most unlikely places. This was most interesting to me.
Songwriting Zen - Are Hit Songs Born Or Made?
October 04, 2004
For every formula there is an exception to the rule
I really think that as songwriters we are unable to determine whether a song is a hit or not, that's the job of the general public.
We just have to make sure that we keep writing and that we are true to ourselves and the writing process.
I really think that as songwriters we are unable to determine whether a song is a hit or not, that's the job of the general public.
We just have to make sure that we keep writing and that we are true to ourselves and the writing process.
Songwriting Idea #3 - The Humble Newspaper
October 02, 2004
Read, read and read some more.
Writing lyrics is all about words isn't it? Therefore to be a good lyricist you would need a healthy respect for the english language and how it can be made to tell a story, describe things or put across a point of view.
You would need to become very interested in what you read, speak, see and hear around you. First of all lets start with the humble newspaper.
Writing lyrics is all about words isn't it? Therefore to be a good lyricist you would need a healthy respect for the english language and how it can be made to tell a story, describe things or put across a point of view.
You would need to become very interested in what you read, speak, see and hear around you. First of all lets start with the humble newspaper.
