June 2005
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 10, No. 6
NEXT MEETING 5:00pm Sunday, June 5th, 2005
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 looks like spring has sprung! With this thought in mind, I’m thinking on an idea that might be put into song. What if we start with the song “Spring has Sprung” and go through the calendar, like summer and fall and winter? There are already songs with these seasons named. But why not make a song using all of the seasons? Think about the similar ideas that have been put to music by composers (like Christmas, Easter, summertime).
These same ideas can be used, with different titles, over and over. I would like to do an all-seasons song. If it’s a love song, it could be used any time of year. But how about a set of lyrics that mentions all of the seasons? I don’t think anyone has written such a song. Maybe it might be fun to do about 30 minutes of composing such a song, as a group at Sunday’s meeting.
It was great to see Susan Foster-Trewick at our last meeting after an absence. Susan is a former vice-president of our group, and did a lot for us.
Hey, how about some of us get together and head over to that gambling cruise ship, run by Sterling. It goes out of Port Canaveral for an evening. The cruise is free and they even serve free food. You do pay for drinks and of course the gambling. They have a couple of good shows, too. The ship has a bus that comes over to Orlando and picks people up, again for free. I don’t participate in the gambling, and you don’t have to gamble to be on the boat. Sometimes it’s fun to watch other people gamble, though.
Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday. Keep thinking on ideas for an all-seasons song, and we’ll discuss it.
Best ever,
Russ
When Am I Done?
By Matt Griffin
Writers write, and many of us write a lot. Some write volumes. If quantity isn’t a problem for you, then you have a different problem. When should you stop? Or, when am I done?
In school, too many of us answered the question by looking at the assignment. If the assignment was to write a 3-page essay, well, when we got to 3 pages, we were done! That approach obviously won’t work as well for composing a song. In truth, it’s not so easy to say when to call the song a finished product.
I like to think of songwriters as basically two types; I’ll call them the Inspired and the Editors (obviously this is an oversimplification). The Inspired write when the mood grabs them, writing complete songs at a sitting. And then that’s it; the song is done, or as several have said to me, “the song is the song”. We have had many Inspired-type writers in the guild, and still do. To them the song is an entity unto itself, and it would be wrong to go back and change the inspiration of the moment.
The Editors work more deliberately, working and reworking constantly. They may start somewhat like their Inspired counterparts, but they never end like them. In fact, many never really end at all. Many Editor-type writers continue to dust off and rework old material, never really calling a song “done”. I read that Bob Dylan admits to being this kind of writer, constantly revisiting even his classic songs.
Which is best? It’s a trick question, of course, as both have a lot to offer. I suspect the best writers are a blend of both. The Inspired, stream-of-consciousness style produces the most imaginative and original work. But the Editors keep-making-it-better approach irons out the rough spots and creates a more cohesive end product. I’m much more of an Editor, and I envy the Inspired writers for how much in touch with their inspirations they manage to be. But I still think they can make their songs better, by taking a couple of more passes!
I still say that writing, any kind of writing, is a craft. Why call your first draft your final product? My theory is that rework almost always produces something better than what you started with (and if it doesn’t, what have you lost?). Having said that, I do think that I take it to extremes. And sometimes, it becomes an excuse for not bringing a new song to an ISG meeting. It’s not done! Somewhere, we Editors have to draw a line in the sand.
A good exercise: try spending a day or two in the other guy’s tent. If you’re solidly in the Editor camp, try to write a song or two in a single sitting. If you normally fall squarely in the Inspired category, take one of your “complete” songs and give it a couple of editing passes. At a minimum, I suspect you’ll find the process interesting and educational. Just maybe, you’ll write something terrific. Something about going against the grain seems to inspire creativity.
OK. I’m done now. 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.
Printing services for Guild Tidings are graciously provided by Printing USA, 4732 South Orange Blossom Trail (just south of Holden), Orlando. Phone: (407) 857-7468 (Thanks Art Cappuccio !!!).
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!!!
May Top Four—Results of monthly critique session
(1) Lover’s Rock by Susan Foster-Trewick and Lisa Firestone
(2) Scoot by Kristen Bruno
(3) Thanks For Loving Me by Carlos Colon
(4) Scent of Blossoms by Emil Ernyey
© 2005 ISG