Yeah! What is a bad song anyway?
I ask this question because it seems to me that we, as songwriters are experts at naming which one of our creations are 'bad'. So much so that, for some songwriters it stops them from creating altogether.
Here are some thoughts I have on the subject...
Songwriting Zen - What Is A Bad Song Anyway?
April 09, 2007Songwriting Zen - Nothing Lasts Forever
October 04, 2006Embrace the here and now, you will never get this moment ever again.
I try as much as possible to turn a negative into a positive. Today I had some car troubles and somehow I have managed to turn that experience into a blog post loosely related to songwriting.
"What are you going on about Corey?" I hear you say. Well, read on...
Songwriting Zen - Practice Your Songwriting Process
October 02, 2006Practice makes perfect.
This old saying certainly rings true for songwriter Jonathan Coulton. His song a week concept is the true embodiment of the establishment and perfecting of your songwriting process.
Personally, I find his story inspiring...
Songwriting Zen - The Blank Piece Of Paper Is Your Friend
June 19, 2006"Is the glass of water half full or half empty?"
The reason why I ask you that question is that the answer that you give may determine how you see a blank piece of paper and ultimately your whole songwriting process.
Songwriting Zen - Developing A Songwriters Attitude
April 15, 2006"Take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new" - Og Mandino
I think the above quote sums up what I call the "songwriters attitude". If songwriting is life then to get the best out of our writing we need to develop a certain attitude towards our lives.
Let's explore this further....
Songwriting Zen - Perfection Is But A Mere Illusion
January 16, 2006We are all works in progress.
I received a message very recently from someone who expressed to me the pain they experience through writing songs. The pain seems to come from the "if it aint a hit, it aint worth writing" way of thinking (as this person puts it).
I want to explore this way of thinking a little further if I may.
Songwriting Zen - Technology VS Humanity
July 28, 2005"Is this the end of art as we know it?"
No, it's not a parody of an REM song but the tiltle of an article from Myles Wakeham, studio engineer and producer who is well known in Adelaide and Los Angeles through his studio 'Troubled Clef'.
In the article he brings up some interesting points on the technology vs humanity in songwriting debate.....
Songwriting Zen - Keep It Simple
June 24, 2005"Keep it simple, and your audience will thank you for it"
Have you ever heard of the K.I.S.S. principle (Keep It Simple Stupid)? Well the same thing applies to songwriting. If you make things too complicated how do you expect your listeners to instantly relate to your songs?
Songwriting Zen - My Nephew Kye
April 14, 2005"Through the eyes of a child I saw a beautiful new world" - Anon
I wanted the opportunity to talk to you about my five year old nephew Kye but I know what you you are thinking though.... 'what does a five year old boy have to do with songwriting?'
Songwriting Zen - Making The Time To Write Is Essential
January 06, 2005Anyone can say it, but doing it, thats when things get done.
The hardest thing about song writing sometimes is the activity of song writing itself. We live in a world that tells us that we have no time to do anything so how do we overcome this?
Songwriting Zen - Never Be Afraid Of Knowledge
January 01, 2005If you are not learning as a songwriter, you are dying as one.
To excell in the craft of songwriting you must first embrace the fact that there is always something else to learn about the craft. The more you know the more you need to learn.
Thankfully, there are a number of ways to keep your songwriting brain active. Lets go and explore......
Songwriting Zen - Do Something Else For A Change
November 24, 2004
A change is as good as a holiday.
If you are a regular visitor of this channel you would have noticed that I havent been doing much writing of late. There is a reason for this and its mainly to do with taking time out and recharging the batteries.
If you are a regular visitor of this channel you would have noticed that I havent been doing much writing of late. There is a reason for this and its mainly to do with taking time out and recharging the batteries.
Songwriting Zen - Face Your Fears, Face Them NOW!
November 01, 2004"To live a creative life we must lose our fear of being wrong" - Joseph Chilton Pierce
I have never heard of anyone dying from writing a song but I know people that fear songwriting just like they fear death......
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 Zen - Let It Happen Naturally
September 17, 2004
"Get out of your own way!"
How many times have you heard that before?
It's a well known phrase that means that we should allow things to happen naturally rather than forcing things. When it comes to songwriting (or creativity in general) the principle is exactly the same.
How many times have you heard that before?
It's a well known phrase that means that we should allow things to happen naturally rather than forcing things. When it comes to songwriting (or creativity in general) the principle is exactly the same.
