Comments on: 6 Tips On How To ‘Finish Your Song’

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 19:38:58 +0000

In reply to Joyce Rogers.

Great, Joyce. True!
Thanks,
Tony

By: Joyce Rogers

Joyce Rogers — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 14:09:26 +0000

Just having a connection with others who write songs helps motivation to keep going.

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 03:47:14 +0000

In reply to Dewey Longuski.

Dewey,
I’ve definitely seen this work in my workshops and others. Having something to shoot for really makes a difference.
Best wishes,
Tony

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 03:46:02 +0000

In reply to sarah.

Sarah,
This is also so true. Thanks for adding to the discussion.
Best wishes,
Tony

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 03:44:39 +0000

In reply to Jon Gordon.

Jon,
That’s a great addition! Thanks for writing.
Your pal,
Tony
ps Along the lines of your comment, here’s an excerpt from my blogpost of just two weeks ago: “Starting at the most practical level, I think about this: what length feels right for the song? And, how long is it already? I’ve said it before – a four minute song is like a two and a half hour movie; a five minute song is like a three hour movie, etc. Nothing wrong with a three hour movie… if that’s how long the story needs and the makers keep it interesting. If not… three hours can seem like an eternity (ever been to Good Friday mass as a kid?).”

By: Dewey Longuski

Dewey Longuski — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 02:47:34 +0000

A great motivator for me is the song writers group I run that meets monthly. Although there is no expectation for us to have a new song each time we meet it seems to have increased each of our song writing productivity; not just to finish songs but to also have an increased drive to to start songs.

By: sarah

sarah — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 15:41:57 +0000

In reply to Jon Gordon. Jon, your comment is super helpful, too! I never thought of that! I'm gonna try it!!

By: sarah

sarah — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 15:40:20 +0000

I recently started going back to open mics to have a regular impetus to finish songs. Partially, its the “deadline” approach to getting things done, but also, there’s something about playing the work-in-progress for others that helps me have “fresh ears”, as you mention. I find that playing a song unfinished in front of a low pressure audience helps me hear the song differently. I hear the holes in the narrative or the weak spots in the song structure. One obstacle I have to finishing a song is getting in a rut with how I experience it or hear it – I get used to the way it is and I can’t see what it needs to grow into a full piece, even though I know its not done. When others are listening, I tend to be very alert to their reactions. I have to be careful with that(!), but I’m learning to put that “sensitive ego” to good use, by gathering information about the music as I’m building it. However, I’ve learned that its best to have an honest & attentive, but *non-paying* audience for this (like at an open mic or workshop), so as not to get ego slammed too hard by a bad reaction from unsatisfied customers. 😉

By: Jon Gordon

Jon Gordon — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 14:50:55 +0000

Hey Tony:

I’m with you about the deadline. That is a motivator indeed!
Another possible way to come at is to have a target length. Most of the songs I write have a target length of just over 2 minutes because of their intended use (production music). It’s not a hard limit, but it makes you think hard about economy of structure: – does it really need a bridge, or will a breakdown suffice? Does it need a full length second verse? How much intro, or first ending.
Once I’ve written about a minute of song, I start to consider how to end it, given the structural pieces that have been created. That in turn will reflect back on how much room I have to tell the story lyrically, and will help in making choices.