Whats the use in writing a song if, when you need it, you can't find it?

If photographers can have a visual portfolio of their work then why couldn't songwriters have an aural portfolio of their work?

I have some ideas on this. Read on...

For years I had a songwriting book where all my completed songs were written into.

I would sit and write the finished song by hand into the book, in black pen and all in capitals with the chords above written in red pen. This was so I could see it when I was performing it either on stage or at home.

For me, doing this was like a sacred ceremony, a ritual of some sorts.

Writing a song into the book gave me great satisfaction every time I did it. It was like I was burning the song into my consciousness as I was writing it in.

Nowadays however, I put everything onto my PC and soon, I will be buying a laptop just for this very reason. It will be a machine dedicated to my songwriting.

I write songs using the computer now because I can use more than one tool at the same time all in one place. How very convenient!

For instance, while I am writing lyrical ideas in Microsoft word (or notepad) I can go online and use a Rhyming dictionary and Thesaurus in different windows at the same time.

There are also sophisticated songwriting tools like Lyricist and MasterWriter that you can use as well. The possibilities are endless.

However you do it, it’s so very important that you make sure that everything from your songwriting ideas archive to you aural portfolio of completed songs are organized in such a way that you know exactly where everything is at all time.

On my system I have a folder called "CS Songwriting ideas" which has a 'WIP' (works in progress) and a 'Completed Songs' folder.

I record all my ideas with an open source program called "Audacity" and in these folders are the lyrics and MP3's of my songs in whatever stage they are at ready to either be worked on a bit more or used in whatever way I see fit.

If anything, having an organized aural portfolio shows that you take great pride in your songwriting, the creative process and the end results of your songwriting skill.

Besides, you never know when you might need to use it.

Until next time, happy writing,

Corey Stewart
Singer/Songwriter/Musician
www.coreystewartonline.com
www.orangutangmusic.com
www.myspace.com/coreystewart

While you're here you might as well check out my other blogs
The Bizzo - Indie Music Industry Tips
Recording Studio And Live Music Tips

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