[stylist] Songwriting

Tue Sep 7 16:22:10 UTC 2010

Brad,
    Thanks a bunch for saving me all of this thought and writing! (smile) 
This is pretty much the same advice I would have offered. the only exception 
is that I don't write my chords above the lyrics; rather, I write them 
within them using braces "{}" where the chord changes appear. I believe 
there are MIDI instruments and software that will actually make printed 
music from the instrument. Perhaps that's a question to be asked on the 
Performing Arts list. I am sure Kevin Reeves or Cameron Strife can answer 
that for us!

Fraternally yours,
Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "BDM" <lists at braddunsemusic.com>
To: <jsorozco at gmail.com>; "Writer's Division Mailing List" 
<stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 9:56 AM
Subject: Re: [stylist] Songwriting


> Joe,
>
> I am a performing songwriter, as are at least one other person on list 
> there. As far as lyrics go for songwriting, poetry while similar, isn't a 
> lyric for a number of reasons. Often times they can be altered to be a 
> lyric. So yes you can take your poems and put them to music but very 
> likely not as they are now. As for melody and muisic. You don't have to 
> put it on paper as it were. I have none of my music on paper as it were. I 
> will put a chord chart together which is basically chords over the tops of 
> the lyrics which is pretty standard in the indie world and even 
> professionals in Nashville. Not however if you are scoring out a piano 
> piece  for a recital or orchestral type thing to be played  note for note. 
> I couldn't tell you how to do that as I don't know Braile Music Notation. 
> One can, if knowledgeable in theory, can  score out chords to match a 
> melody like Beethoven did, or one can, like most do, apply chords by 
> "feel" to the melody.  I write 90% of the time with an instrument starting 
> with chords and melody and then go for words based off the feel of the 
> music.  I'll say on the other side of the coin, that nearly all my 
> co-writing has been done by applying music and melody to words already 
> written which sometimes requier slight altering to  flush out consistency 
> and etc. Words as well, if you listen carefully when spoken in natural 
> voice, have a certain melody to them which can be used as well. It is both 
> fun and exploritory to just match a melody to certain chords and you'll 
> find it can generate different types of feeling or harmonies within it. 
> Just experiment some with it if you have a melody in your head. If you 
> can't sing and play at the same time, record your melody and try to put 
> chords to it when you play it back. There is no right or wrong way, it is 
> what works for you.
>
> There are many books and resources out there on songwriting. If you go to 
> my website at
>
> http://www.braddunsemusic.com
>
> Then click on the songwriting link, there's an html file with various 
> resources about songwriting.
>
> If you have any other questions just let me know. Glad to help anyway I 
> can.
>
> Brad
>
>
> At 08:32 AM 9/7/2010, you wrote:
>>Dear all,
>>
>>I'm glad Marion came out of the woodwork when he did.  I have a question 
>>he,
>>and hopefully others, will be able to answer.  How does one get started 
>>with
>>songwriting?  I play piano by ear as a hobby but have no idea how I could
>>translate my own invented melodies to paper, nor how to make others hear 
>>my
>>poetry in the melodies I've arranged in my head.  Does one need to know
>>music notation to succeed at this?  Thanks for any help, and Priscilla, oh
>>dear peer pressure that you are, I am working out some kinks in my novel
>>before it is worthy of your reading.
>>
>>Best,
>>
>>Joe
>>
>>"Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
>>some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>Writers Division web site:
>>http://www.nfb-writers-division.org <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>>
>>stylist mailing list
>>stylist at nfbnet.org
>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>>stylist:
>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/lists%40braddunsemusic.com
>>
>>
>>__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus 
>>signature database 5431 (20100907) __________
>>
>>The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>>
>>http://www.eset.com
>
>
> Brad Dunse
>
> Instead of waiting out the storm, learn to dance in the rain
>
> E Mail: brad at braddunsemusic.com
>
> Website: http://www.braddunsemusic.com
>
> Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1464323555
>
> Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/braddunse
>
> MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/braddunse
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site:
> http://www.nfb-writers-division.org <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> stylist:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/marion.gwizdala%40verizon.net