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Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 28, No. 10
October 2023
Live meetings are Cancelled due to CoronaVirus.
However, we will be having on-line Zoom meetings.
The next zoom feedback session will be Sunday October 1st.
We will send details under a separate e-mail,
and an announcement on the Facebook group page.
If you want the zoom meeting details,
please e-mail us at isgorlando@gmail.com
Hopefully we will soon be meeting in person again.
Please stay tuned for more info.
Any Details not in this newsletter are at:
If you wish to join our Facebook group, please check us out at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/831814850193553/
WebChatter
by CyberToad
https://www.andreastolpe.com/articles/tips-to-enhance-your-commercial-quality
We are asking members to renew their dues for 2023. It costs only $5 per year,
and it helps us to defray costs for the zoom meetings.
We have 2 methods of payment. Either paypal to our treasurer Asli Goncer's
paypal account. The paypal access is at aslivision@gmail.com
or you can mail a $5 check to
Asli Goncer
2849 Babylon Court
Oviedo, FL 32765
Either way, we appreciate your continued support.
Object Writing And Other Exercises
by Jackie Mason
This is a continuation of a review I started last month. The video is “How To Write Songs — 5 Songwriting Exercises That Will Change Everything” featuring Keppie Couts and Ben Romalis. Here is the link to that YouTube video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoUQ0kR-lTg&t=33s
Here is a list of the 5 Exercises. 1 Object Writing, 2 No Rhyme,
3 Write A Two-Chord Song, 4 Write An AABA Song Form,
5 Upgrade Your Verbs.
I wrote about Exercise 1 last month but since then I’ve had some more thoughts. It’s probably the deepest exercise and it’s also called sense writing. It’s interesting that in his book “Writing Better Lyrics” author Pat Pattinson compares it to diving for pearls. It’s deep diving to find treasures inside ourselves.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/631443/writing-better-lyrics-by-pat-pattison/
“The best diving technique I know is object writing. It's direct and simple. You arbitrarily pick an object — a real object — and focus your senses on it. Treat the object as a diving board to launch you inward to the vaults of your senses.” Pat Pattison
Exercise 2 is writing with no rhyme. This means no end rhyme. It means no internal rhyme. It puts the focus squarely on the story. You are using contrast and scene setting. you are using your senses. Icelandic singer Björk uses this technique in her song “Hyperballad.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHlNLQhxzaA
Ben’s suggested song is “Jeremy” by Pearl Jam.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yzgO4MIYGo This is a powerful story based on a real life story.
Exercise 3 is to write a one or two chord song. This forces you to become more creative with your melody. Repetition lines become important. You can find examples in blues music. “Boom Boom” by John Lee Hooker fascinates me. Are there two chords or one? I’m never sure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOyj4ciJk34
“Back Door Man” by Howlin’ Wolf also straddles the one-two chord rail. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcxR1Rx7aTw
Keppie says she learned this exercise from Berklee teacher Scarlet Keys.
https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Craft_of_Songwriting.html?id=g_51DwAAQBAJ
Exercise 4 is to write a song in an AABA Song Form. It’s a common song form. It has no chorus. Usually one line is repeated and it’s the anchor of the song. You can find it used in jazz standards.
“Body And Soul” by, in this case, Tony Bennet and Amy Winehouse is a good example. Composed in 1930 by Johnny Green with lyrics by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour and Frank Eyton. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP-Vr9_1xGA
Keppie and Benn cite “I’m Gonna Find Another You” by John Mayer.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EZWzq6kXVc
Keppie mentions “Angeles” by Elliott Smith.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psLhTyj1sAY It’s easy to find the anchor line in these songs.
Exercise 5 is to Upgrade Your Verbs. Go through your song and underline every verb. Then pick out one verb per section and change it to a more interesting verb. Why verbs? Keppie explains that verbs are the “powerhouse” of the English language. Instead of saying “she walked into the room” change it to “she slithered into the room.” You can see how it changes the dynamics of that line. It makes her a far more interesting character.
I can see how these exercises will spice up my writing. Can you? That’s what I’ve got this month. Hasta la vista from the Song Motel.
ISG Bulletin Board
Meeting space graciously provided by Central Florida Musicians Association,
Local 389. You are invited to join the largest union in the world, representing the
interests of the professional musician. Visit their website at afm389.org for more
information. You may reach them by phone at: 407-894-8666.
Why isn't your gig or live stream announced here? Members in good standing call
SusieCool with your appearance schedule! 407-760-2153 or e-mail her the details at isgorlando@gmail.com
If you are interested in open mics in the Central Florida area, SusieCool has compiled a list.
Steve Hodak hosts several newly listed open mics on the East coast.
https://sites.google.com/site/susiecoolsongs/Home/open-mic-directory-central-florida
SusieCool is the admin for a Facebook group called "Orlando Creative Music Network"
where we give out info on songwriter meetings, playing circles, open mics, workshops and concerts.
We have a Facebook page for this group if you want to join.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/274152179716552/
No Critique scores for September, since no live meeting.
New members and guests are always welcome!
© 2023 ISG