April 2006
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 11, No. 4
NEXT MEETING: 5:00pm Sunday, April 2nd, 2006
Songwriters, composers, performers, publishers, and the curious are encouraged to join us. Non-members are invited to attend a meeting or two to get a feel for our group and what we do. For more information, visit our website at www.isgorlando.org .
Officers:
President/Treasurer
Russ Robinson (407) 851-5328
Vice President/Member Reception/Newsletter
Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212
Secretary
Jacquelyn Fain, crosstyes1@yahoo.com
Membership
Susan Foster-Trewick (407) 760-2153
Website
Carlos Colon (352) 326-4295
Archives
Barbara Ross (407) 862-2795
President's Letter
Dear Members,
Well, it’s almost time for our next meeting. This close to meeting time, I’m always trying to think of something new and different we can do. How about a format of our original songs that could be used as a part of a 30-minute TV show? If we can put something attractive and entertaining together, we’ll see what happens. I’d like for our group to see how it’s done with my guidance. I’ve had a number of years in this business, and know what to do.
I think you would enjoy seeing and hearing your song in production. Those of you who are capable of singing and performing live can play or sing your own compositions. I bet some of you might have thought of this before. If you would be too timid to do your own song, maybe we can get someone else in the guild to do it. We have some professional performers in the group, after all. Think about this; wouldn’t it be interesting and entertaining?
Of course this would require some additional work, like rehearsals and perhaps a few extra meetings would be necessary. I have two pianos in my home, so that might be a good place to do it. We can play this by ear, of course.
Looking forward to seeing all of you Sunday. Be thinking about this idea, and come let us know what you think.
Best as always,
Russ
Write to the Weather
By Matt Griffin
As songwriters, it’s always helpful to pay attention to our moods. The simple reason: because we tend to write what we feel. If you’re consumed with anger over a relationship gone sour, you will naturally tend to write angry songs. And conversely, it’s almost impossible to write a happy song (well, a good one anyway) if you are not feeling happy at the time you’re writing.
If you have a particular project (say, you’ve been hired to compose a happy jingle for a local car dealer), the mood thing can be an impediment; you may actually have to “talk” yourself into the necessary mood, or wait for it to come. But if you’re just writing…go with the flow! Or, write to the weather.
I mean that both figuratively and literally. Figuratively speaking, it’s just easier to write what you feel. The song you write will (usually) naturally carry the tone you’re already feeling. If this seems obvious, think about how often we try to cut across the grain anyway. I do this sometimes because it takes me a while to complete a song, and I’m not always in the same mood that I was the last time I worked on it! But you can make that work for you as well. For example, oftentimes a bridge works better if it expresses a different mood than the rest of the song. So…you could write your cheerful verses when you’re cheerful, and your nostalgic bridge when you’re feeling nostalgic. Or you can use one of my favorite tricks: work several song projects at a time, and on any given writing day just pick the one that your mood favors.
By literally “writing to the weather”, I mean taking it one step further and letting the weather determine what you’re going to write. If that seems a little extreme, think how many great songs have been written with a weather-based theme! It seems almost certain to me that “You are my Sunshine” was written in bright weather and “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” was written in wet weather; both songs strongly carry the tones of sun and rain, respectively. Of course I may be mistaken, and “Winter Wonderland” was written in July; even if that’s so, the writer certainly had snow on the brain when he wrote it.
I really like rain songs, partly because the image of rain is so strong and universally-understood. But also I just like the word “rain” itself; it’s such a pretty word to sing! Just thinking about this sent me back to a half-written rain song, a favorite of mine that I never figured out how to finish. Guess it’s time to figure it out.
So go ahead; write to your mood or let the weather guide you. And if all of this was obvious to you, my apologies. At least it got me writing. J
ISG Bulletin Board
Lead Sheet preparation by Carlos Colon. A simple lead sheet contains the melody, lyrics and chord symbols. For more information, visit my website at www.cecoriginals.com and click on “Services” at the top of the page. Website design also available. Use your website address in advertising. Newspapers, business cards, fliers, to name a few and let’s not forget the use of email. Send your link to potential clients. For more information, visit a few of my clients sites at http://www.websandresumes.com/clients.htm.
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.
We’re always looking for material for the newsletter. If you have any information that you would like to see added to the newsletter, please see Matt Griffin at the meetings or email him at isgorl@cfl.rr.com . Please keep your articles brief and to the point. Print deadline for the newsletter is approximately two weeks prior to the monthly meeting.
Classified advertising may be placed free of charge to members in good standing with the ISG . For more information on display advertising and/or classified advertising for non-members, please call Russ or Matt or email: isgorl@cfl.rr.com .
Why isn't your gig announced here? Call us with your appearance schedule!
Place your classified ad or gig announcement here! Free to ISG members as always! Just get your text to Matt by the print deadline (usually the Friday 16 days prior to the monthly meeting); email is best ( isgorl@cfl.rr.com ).
New members always welcome! Call or email us for more info!
March Top Three—Results of monthly critique session
(1) Nocturne by Dale Cunningham
(2) Dangerous Curve by Estee Starling
(3) I See Your Pain by Kristen Bruno
© 2006 ISG