"We live in a world of possible songwriting ideas. All we have to do (as songwriters) is go out there and find them". - cs
I outlined in my last post “Songwriting Ideas #18 – Reading Books for Lyrical Inspiration” the concept of reading books as a way of gathering lyrical ideas.
Since then I realized that you can apply this songwriting idea gathering concept to other forms of communication.
If the thought of reading a whole book is daunting, try reading some poetry instead.
Poetry, just like songs has only a short space of time in which the reader/listener is given the gist of the story or concept. Most works of poetry are short bursts of observation mixed with pure emotion.
In a way, isn’t that what songs are as well?
A particular form of poetry that I have been getting into of late is haiku poetry.
Haiku is a Japanese writing art-form which is very, very constrained in its approach. You have three lines and seventeen syllables (broken into 5, 7 and 5) to get your story or concept across.
An example of this is “Tree, Wind, Cloud & Sky” by a good friend of mine, Garth Dutton. It goes like this…
Contrasting with high wind clouds
That whiten, blue sky
Personally, I see haiku as a ready made song synopsis. In the past, I have found it a very easy exercise expanding seventeen syllables into a four minute song. Give it a try and see what you can do.
For people who would rather read something less abstract but don’t want to be tied to a book for long periods of time, a collection of short stories are a great way to gather lyrical ideas as well.
Make a date with yourself and go to your local library and pick up a few books of poetry (or short stories) and put the concept to the test. You’ll be glad that you did
Until next time, happy (reading and) writing,
Corey Stewart
Singer/Songwriter/Musician
www.coreystewartonline.com
www.orangutangmusic.com
www.myspace.com/coreystewart
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