As weird as it may seem to some who’ve read a post or two of mine, I don’t get too technical when I write songs. I believe I know, on a deeper level, much more than I consciously know, so I think I’m much better off being open to that material surfacing than if I over-analyze… or often even analyze at all.
The closer I get to finishing a song the more it becomes about tweaks, and that’s where things can get more technical. But even then… it’s still ultimately a ‘feel thang’.
At the same time, I’m glad I know what I know – the chords and harmonies; the many songs I’ve played and internalized by other writers; the thought I’ve given to what makes some songs work and others, not so much; the awareness of structure; the thinking about rhymes, near-rhymes, distant rhymes, and why some work better in certain places than in others; and even the thoughts about that most instinctive and elusive part of songwriting – melody.
Because all of this thought and study is also available to my subconscious… I don’t have to be thinking about it; it’s in there (I’m not saying it’s always working the way I want it to, but that’s another story…).
I usually talk about the craft part of songwriting as the acquisition of Tools, but truthfully I think of them just as much as Weapons. Whatever I call them, they’re good to have around when I need them. (No, I don’t own a gun.)
To take a more or less random example: Rhyme. Not every song needs to rhyme, and most songs definitely don’t need to rhyme all the time. But rhyme is an incredibly powerful songwriting tool/weapon and it’s to my advantage to know as much about it as possible when it’s Time to Rhyme.
I don’t mean just owning a rhyming dictionary (I do, but don’t use it much). I mean rhyme in a much broader sense, going from a perfect rhyme to, What are the relationships of words with similar sounds? How does one type of sound sound help my song, and another hurt it?
I still have a lot to learn in all of these areas. But what I do know can come in very handy when I’m dealing with a songwriting challenge. And, at least for me, writing songs is mostly dealing with challenges – solving, or getting closer to solving, problems that my ideas have created for me. (This is fun for me, btw.)
So what’s the takeaway? For me it’s something like, Don’t be afraid to acquire more tools (weapons), Don’t be afraid to keep learning more craft. And then, when writing, Don’t be afraid to not think about it.
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Wonderful reminder Tony.
Thank you, Elise!
TC
Nice article and good 10 minute video intro on Basics of Music Production.
I enjoyed it. I have just finished writing and producing a jazz/rock album. (10 songs) I love GB! Got a couple final mixes done and 8 more to go. (I have my ruffs up on the website listed below.) I will be mastering in Portland Maine in December! Brrrrrr Been hearing really nice things about your workshop classes. Love, Kathy
Kathy,
Great to hear from you and thanks for the kind words. Look forward to hearing that album!
Best wishes,
Tony
As usual, this is great advice, Tony. I feel it’s essential to learn technique, but it’s also important to write from the part of you that needs to be heard, more than from the brain. I agree that technique is wonderful. It gives me confidence to know I can try things that I’ve seen work in my other songs, or in songs by other songwriters. Similarly, it’s really good to have some knowledge of music theory. It saves time and, when you become adventurous and try new ideas beyond the theory you already know, that builds confidence, too.
I don’t understand songwriters who don’t want to read or write music, who don’t know theory and don’t have any technique. I can’t name another profession in which that would be smart. Can you?
Annie,
Not really. At the same time, many great songs have been written by people with little to no awareness of formal technique. Songwriting’s a strange thing that way…
Thanks for reading and writing!
Best wishes,
Tony
Love this. Finding That balance between the knowledge of tools and trusting the mystery in my own process of creating is a real gift. I think it’s what helps to take the power out of the self analysis (aka self criticism) that can be paralyzing when trying to just write in peace!
Xxxoooo
Shoshana,
And I think everyone’s balance is probably different.
Given your comment, here’s one that might interest you: https://tonyconniff.com/when-song-ideas-come-forward-motion-is-everything/
Thanks for writing,
Tony
One you get through the pain and frustration of learning a new skill or gaining knowledge and application, the exponential freedom you obtain is well worth the effort. There is no short cut to self education and personal effort. I find many of my students or friends just give up trying because they are overwhelmed with all that they don’t know. I tell them to learn, really well, what they think they know. New knowledge attaches itself to what we already know. Find a firm starting point. So really know what you know, and learn something new about it. Focus on a simple thing and master it, and your understanding and knowledge will grow organically. I really enjoyed reading your article, thanks for your work.
All good points, John; hard-won wisdom, obviously.
Thanks for reading and for your comments.
Best wishes,
Tony
Loved this article! It is necessary to learn each and every basic of songwriting and other techniques. The experience that you have shared here is of great importance for the songwriters.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Best wishes,
Tony