Comments for Tony Conniff

Comment on The Early Genius of Brian Wilson by TonyConniff

TonyConniff — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 07:39:36 +0000

Me too. And even more… what if he had a Keith to his Mick… or a John to his Paul… or even a whole band in his corner, as those guys did.
But, even so, it’s amazing what he accomplished.
Thanks, Seth.
Tony

Comment on The Early Genius of Brian Wilson by TonyConniff

TonyConniff — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 07:37:33 +0000

In reply to michael eric stein. Thanks, Michael!

Comment on The Early Genius of Brian Wilson by Seth Glassman

Seth Glassman — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 17:33:16 +0000

Tony, I often wonder what might have been if the Beach Boys and Brian in particular had had a mentor early on like George Martin was for The Beatles. Maybe it would have reined in Brian’s daring, who knows? But it’s interesting to think about…

Comment on The Early Genius of Brian Wilson by michael eric stein

michael eric stein — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 12:39:56 +0000

Have got to try to listen to this one. My greatest weakness as an amateur musician (flautist) has always been understanding harmony and how it functions within the bars of melodies. Structure I’m better at. So when you play me “I Get Around” I go…holy shit, Bach.

See you soon.

Michael

Comment on Got a Great Songwriting Idea? It’s OK To Forget It. by TonyConniff

TonyConniff — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 05:26:08 +0000

In reply to Annie Dinerman.

Annie,
Practical; excellent!
Tony

Comment on Got a Great Songwriting Idea? It’s OK To Forget It. by Annie Dinerman

Annie Dinerman — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 22:01:10 +0000

I keep ideas in a document on my flash drive. When the well runs dry, I go to that document. So I don’t have to remember a good idea until I can write the song. It has come in handy many times.

Comment on Bring The Pain – To Your Songs by TonyConniff

TonyConniff — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 05:46:52 +0000

Annie,
Good process, good patience, good work.
Thanks for sharing it!
Best,
Tony

Comment on How To Keep Your Melody Alive by TonyConniff

TonyConniff — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 20:14:31 +0000

In reply to Annie Dinerman.

Annie,
Thanks for the encouraging words… always good to read your comments.
Sorry for the delay in replying!
Best wishes,
Tony

Comment on The Difference Between Writing and Rewriting Your Song by TonyConniff

TonyConniff — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 04:26:19 +0000

In reply to Peter Leslie.

Peter,
Thanks for reading, writing, and for sharing your process. I’ve had a lot of similar experiences.
I really appreciate yours.
Good to hear from you!
Best wishes,
Tony

Comment on The Difference Between Writing and Rewriting Your Song by Peter Leslie

Peter Leslie — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 13:38:15 +0000

Hi Tony,

Thanks for the thoughtful summary of what can be a tricky process.

I don’t usually find it too bad as for me the process of originating the lyrics in the first place is usually the part I struggle with, though experience has taught me to have faith that the lyrics will come, because they always do and I just have to wait them out. Smartphone Voice Memos are a blessing! (though pedestrians may be perplexed at the strange sight of a guy walking down the street singing into his phone…)

Once I’ve got the foundation of the song and its structure and most of its lyrics, the fine-tuning and rewriting is usually not too painful as by then I’m on a roll, I know what the song is about, its feeling, its heart, and so coming up with those parts that focus and complete the song is usually easier than easing out the original inspirations and drafts. The relief I feel when I finally know what a song is about, what my subconscious has been prodding me towards, is palpable. For me, everything that comes after is a stroll in comparison. YMMV!

Also I find that the rewrites can complete the song in unexpected ways: on several occasions I’ve been unsatisfied with a couplet or entire verse, only to find after many attempts at replacement that I was overthinking it and the original couplet was absolutely fine, or that the verse only needed a line or couplet tweaked to make it work. The nice part is that even without a change it’s never a waste of time because I’ve gone through the refinement process and am content with it (or at least as content as I can be). Or on other occasions I’ve found that a couplet or sometimes a verse that I LOVED and thought of as being fundamental to the song had to go because it just didn’t fit as the song evolved. It hurts, but it’s tough love.

Thanks again Tony, insightful as always.
Cheers Pete

Comment on How To Keep Your Melody Alive by Annie Dinerman

Annie Dinerman — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 16:22:00 +0000

I noticed in songwriting workshops that when a writer presented an AABA song, often they’d go to the tonic chord and note at the end of the second A section — right before the bridge. That makes the story feel finished; it doesn’t make the listener wonder where the melody is going next. Thanks for posting this piece of technique. I keep it in mind when writing and wondered whether it’s commonly discussed among songwriters.

Comment on Bring The Pain – To Your Songs by Annie Dinerman

Annie Dinerman — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 17:54:41 +0000

For a long, long time, I thought I should write a song about my family history and how it affected me. I just didn’t want to present myself as a victim, so I couldn’t find the way into that song idea. One day, I realized that music was the key to my story. Music would allow me to make the song upbeat, and my viewpoint would allow me to feel like a winner. Audiences love to sing along to the “doo-doop” in the chorus. You can hear it at Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/track/7FcKURjy6uEdhbENCNsTzV

Comment on How To Find The Lyric That Points The Way by TonyConniff

TonyConniff — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 05:07:31 +0000

In reply to Peter Leslie.

Peter,
I know that feeling! Well described.
Thanks for reading and writing.
Best wishes,
Tony

Comment on Are You A Writer Who Isn’t Writing? by TonyConniff

TonyConniff — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 05:05:31 +0000

In reply to Ondine PM.

Ondine,
That’s rough. I hope you can hang in there. Better days ahead!
Best wishes,
Tony

Comment on Are You A Writer Who Isn’t Writing? by TonyConniff

TonyConniff — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 05:03:59 +0000

In reply to Riley Jason.

Riley… yeah!
TC

Comment on Are You A Writer Who Isn’t Writing? by TonyConniff

TonyConniff — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 05:03:37 +0000

In reply to Sophia. Thank you, Sophia. Great to hear from you. Tony

Comment on Are You A Writer Who Isn’t Writing? by Riley Jason

Riley Jason — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 14:09:21 +0000

Yeah

Comment on Are You A Writer Who Isn’t Writing? by Ondine PM

Ondine PM — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 20:03:20 +0000

Thanks so much for this post, Tony. I feel seen! Having COVID-19 six months ago really knocked me off balance and, while I have be writing, the flow state has been difficult to come by.

Comment on Are You A Writer Who Isn’t Writing? by Sophia

Sophia — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 12:26:20 +0000

This resonates on so many levels for me. Thank you for your inspiring share. Helps more than I can ever express.

Comment on How To Find The Lyric That Points The Way by Peter Leslie

Peter Leslie — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 04:34:01 +0000

For me there is a phase of songwriting that I dread: getting the lyrics started when I have nothing to work with. It’s like poring over a map and trying to work out the route when I don’t know the destination, or throwing things aimlessly at a wall in the hope something sticks.
Then something happens, much like you described, and a verse lyric clicks, or a chorus, and I feel an overwhelming sense of relief because I KNOW WHAT THE SONG IS ABOUT!!! It really is the best feeling because, even though I may only have a scrap to work with and a lot of work to put in, I know the destination and which direction to head in.