WAJ-Notes
Apr 5, 2008 sojourn, songwriting
Wow (whew… etc), just back from a week in Nashville, I’m sorting through the wheat and chaff, notes and stuff everywhere… so glad I took all my WAJ notes in the back of the workbook! One of my goals upon return is to share what I captured, so here goes… please keep in mind these are my perspectives in the moment, if anyone that was there sees something I totally mis-captured, please let me know, thanks!
9a: Finding Creativity When You Don’t Feel Creative – Belinda Smith
- Belinda stressed the indispensable value of Sheila Davis’s “The Songwriter’s Idea Book”, and how showing up for scheduled time to write (something that’s gotten away from me the last six months, or so) honors the giver of our gifts, a sobering reminder
- She also led us in a couple of exercises to help with activating the right brain and squelching the “inner critic” that can stifle creativity, but stressed the need to get back to the focal point when the meandering gets too fragmented
- For instance, imagine a scenario and build a short list of words based on the scene, then develop a list of potential titles (free the linear mindset/capture the scattered)
- One other note I captured is to scan movie titles for those you haven’t seen and write the song behind it. We discussed a couple of titles and it was really cool to hear the variety of perspectives each one generated
10a: Co-Writing Secrets – Maurice Carter led a panel (M. Funderburk, T. Labar, S. Krippayne, K. Stokes) on keys to and importance of co-writing
- Preparation: Know your co-writer’s expectations; build relationships; bring multiple ideas to the session, the idea I’m passionate about may not feel the same way; could be lyrical or musical start points
- Distractions: Flexibility is key, be open-minded to all ideas but know when to graciously pass on an idea that’s just not working for me
- Be vulnerable; share and receive… be in it for the long-haul; consider it time well spent from more than a songwriting perspective
- Be careful not to settle… I have to love the idea but be willing to let go once I’ve tried to “sell” the idea; dialog in spirit and truth
- A weaker lyrical hook is OK as long as the melody is a home run
- The writers shared that 80-90% of all the songs they write are co-writes
11a: Developing Great Ideas – Belinda Smith led a panel (S. Siler, K. Matthews) on taking ideas from good to great
- It’s not about competing with other writers but with myself, am I getting better?
- See the story in the idea
- Filter the list
- Co-writing is the school for writing and the acid test for ideas
- Key characteristics of an idea
- Can the idea be approached from more than one angle?
- Can I get to the hook from multiple perspectives?
- Does the title move me?
- Can I sing the melody two weeks later?
- Is this a topical/theological contribution that’s fresh… fill gaps in areas not currently being discussed
- Write the same idea in multiple genres/persons/POV
- Good or Great?
- Live the experience from the listener’s perspective… is their a transformation moment?
- Tell the truth!!!
- Make the listener think: how did the writer know this is me in this moment?
- Lead others into the emotion you feel
1p: Going from Good to Great – Dave Clark
- Does the song draw the listener whether the listener is ready or not?
- Does the song appeal beyond “taste” boundaries?
- Don’t let bad listening take the place of good writing (Dave stressed this being the key note of the session)
- Emotional equity – get personally invested in the song
- Quote by Greg Maddux on staying true to the great idea: “I would rather give up a hit on a good pitch than strike someone out on a bad one.”
- Study political speeches – especially inaugural speeches
- Separate what too personal to generalized details, put specifics into developing the emotion in the idea
2p: Audit Critique Session – S. Siler/C. Cates
3p: Critique Session – K. Matthews/K. Stokes
4p: Writing for the Country Market – Brian White/Don Poythress
- It’s not always going to be OK… people lose jobs, get sick, divorced, etc.
- CCM has a tendency to play it safe, Country just plays the card
- Try using an everyday man mentality in worship songs (Tomlin has done this)
- Don’t write a song that says I’m lonely, make the listener feel lonely
- Furniture – nouns (Wiseman explains with pictures… The Good Stuff)
- Not many new ideas, it’s all about developing fresh angles
Tags: Sue Smith, WAJ, write about Jesus
Johnny Cash Parkway
Mar 30, 2008 faith, sojourn, songwriting
Today I briefly got to see the northeast side of the Nashville area as I made the quick jaunt to the Write About Jesus one day workshop. I only wish I’d left earlier to get a look around, but once I pulled into the Community Church of Hendersonville (on Johnny Cash Pkwy) where the event was held, I never got out to scope the town… that is, beyond the Starbucks just down the street.
The day was a blessing in so many ways, from the writers in attendance to the really cool groups of instructors assembled by Sue Smith to lead the sessions. The fact that these folks are all believers working in the music business in perhaps one of the last true havens for songwriters is a testament to the work for which God wants us to use our gifts. I feel the level of sincerity and care expressed in the instruction was different – refreshing and enlightening.
I’ve many favorite moments, from the teachings, interactions, and the songs shared by five writers at the end of the day. First, from a teaching perspective, while the attitude was light and inviting, the instructors came to teach, and teach they did. The panel on co-writing triggered the revelation that I’m ready, ready to take my writing to the next level through co-writing. Of course this is way easier said than done because I don’t live in Nashville, and I’m currently not in any writing relationships in Charlotte. Not to say there isn’t the potential for building these relationships (in Charlotte), that’s something I’ll need to work at. Bottom line: the quite successful writers on the panel made it very clear, going it alone is a tough road, co-writing increases potential for success in commercial markets.
Second was the Dave Clark session on how to go from “good to great”. Here’s a man with tons of experience in the business as a writer and publisher with a clear message –we’ve allowed our listening habits to infect the quality that goes into crafting songs. He talked about “emotional equity” and how investing in the emotional framework is the difference between settling and driving out a powerful song that’s general enough to touch the hearts of a broad spectrum of listeners.
I audited a critique session and had one song critiqued. The level of expertise and honesty was humbling yet easy to swallow. Again, a grace filled example of what the WAJ community is about. I met a couple of young writers, one of which appears to be on the fast track to a pub deal. Of the songs I heard, most of which were gospel or inspirational genre, the quality was way above average, a couple of them very close to cut-table, at least this was the sense I got from the critiquers.
Lastly, the songs Brian White, Molly Reed, and Don Poythress in the round, followed by individual performances by Scott Krippayne and Kyle Matthews put the sweet icing on a very rich cake. I’m not kidding myself into thinking the challenge isn’t great or the prize potentially unattainable… it’s about faith and seeking out God, and whether it’s His will or a winter wind I’m chasing remains to be seen. Time to pray, listen, and obey.
I’m overjoyed that my wife encouraged me to make the trip and invest the money to attend the workshop. In the morning I’ll further process the whole thing, and, Lord willing, draft out a lyric that I can turn into song by Monday or Tuesday. For now I’ll ready for bed and spend some quiet time thanking God for his hand in all this, from the provision to make this financially possible, and the servants he equipped to share and impact those of us that attended the one day WAJ worshop in Nashville – what a blessing!!!
Tags: Hendersonville, Music for the Soul, Sue Smith, TN, WAJ