Re:Creation & Gestation
Saturday, February 18 2012 @ 12:43 AM CST

Wow! That is a great piece. I was fascinated by the fact that as he wrote the song the melody morphed and became more sophisticated. That is something I think we can all identify with as we "live" with our creations. Also, I think this illustrates the vague and often shifting territory where song writing and production overlap and contribute to each other. This goes hand in hand with the effect that others have on the creative process when they are involved both directly and indirectly.

I know for myself, I have many songs that just won't be completed and then a song fragment from somewhere else comes in and, bang, its done. I think I can also appreciate having a writing partner, as I am a good counter puncher. Examples of that would be "In Your Eye" (lyrics and melody) written with Andrew Lack (Alackbass) and "Gloria" (lyrics and melody) written with Jack Miller (Dadai.2).

I have often had great results from the noodling method. As a matter of fact my favorite song that I have written is "Sweet Step" that was begun because my friend Rich showed me the D chord with the F# played with the thumb. I needed to find a chord progression to use it with and wrote the chorus first when I settled in on D/F#, G, D/F#, A.

Other times I will get a melody and that starts the song as in "Love's Fingers Fall".

Another artist's style will inspire me to attempt something as Bob Seger did for "Steel Streets".

I think Edison's rule applies to songwriting, that songwriting is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration (at least 80% of the time).

As artists, we are often sensitive to our own perceived shortcomings, and we beat ourselves up when we compare ourselves against others. Yet, even that can often inspire us to greater achievement. I have often followed other's coat tails and achievements to see if I could do it too. Examples of that would be Vic Diesel inspiring me to follow in his footsteps and submit a piece to the 60X60 Competition "Biyu Banter". Also, Eduard Schwan's "Belle Aire (for Mandolin Orchestra)" that prompted me to score an, as yet, unpublished work "Minie Ball Round" and submit it to the West Point Woodwind Quintet for consideration in their upcoming concert (fingers still crossed).

Re:Creation & Gestation
Saturday, February 18 2012 @ 10:48 AM CST

Quote by: sschedra ... Also, I think this illustrates the vague and often shifting territory where song writing and production overlap and contribute to each other. This goes hand in hand with the effect that others have on the creative process when they are involved both directly and indirectly. I know for myself, I have many songs that just won't be completed and then a song fragment from somewhere else comes in and, bang, its done. I think I can also appreciate having a writing partner, as I am a good counter puncher. ...

Yes, excellent observations, Stephen. It is a real challenge for a solo singer/songwriter working alone in isolation, without other creative input, to navigate the complete range of creative, musical, vocal and technical activities needed to write, record and engineer a song.

As much as I enjoy the process — and the journey — in many cases my songwriting life would be easier if other competent hands and minds were involved. No doubt the work would take on added dimensions, as well.