September 2008
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 13, No. 9
NEXT MEETING: 5:00pm Sunday, September 7th, 2008
Officers:
President/Treasurer
Russ Robinson (407) 851-5328
Vice President/Member Reception/Newsletter
Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212
Secretary
Jacquelyn Gould, crosstyes1@yahoo.com
Website
Carlos Colon (352) 326-4295
Membership
Gilda Corrales (407) 327-5494
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 .
President's Letter
Dear Members,
Happy fall season, everyone! Goodness, what happened to the good old summertime? I don’t hear much about your personal activities, but I hope you might have spent a little time writing. Well, you’ve got all next week to finish one if it’s not done already. I just looked in the mirror and said, “Hey big guy, will you have a song ready for the September meeting?” Oh, the life we songwriters live; we are a lazy bunch, aren’t we? So, fellow writers, which one of us will show up with a tape of the best song we’ve ever written?
As a suggestion, think of the most exciting place or thing you can remember from this past summer and make a song out of it. Maybe you had an interesting romantic experience you might want to tell the world about. Do it in song style. I hope this might make it a lasting memory for you, and maybe a nice song too.
Recently, I dug out some of my old notes and found several possibilities, songs I started and never finished. It really helps to get with it at the time, and I put it off. If we do, it’s our own fault!
Looking forward to our next meeting, hope to see all of you there. It’s always interesting to catch up on what you’ve written. Who knows, maybe your next song will be your biggest and best work ever!
Regards,
Russ
Flexible Songwriting
By Matt Griffin
I’ve written before about various methods of crafting songs, but it’s a topic that I seem to enjoy rehashing. I find it very interesting to learn how other writers do their creating, and I like to experiment with different methods myself; more on that later.
I’ve read a number of songwriting books, and most seem to talk only about the most basic, much debated issue: lyrics first or music first? And certainly this matters. There are writers who always do lyrics first, and writers who always do music first; I’m pretty sure they’re in the minority. The question still applies even if you’re strictly a lyricist or strictly a composer, since someone has to do the part you’re not doing.
But for most of us, “always” and “never” don’t apply. Each of us has a preferred method or methods, but most can work differently when the situation or the inspiration calls for it. For those of us who collaborate, flexibility pays off. I’ve given lyrics to a composer, written lyrics to finished music, and written alongside a co-writer in the same room. I know many of you have done the same. Even if you’re writing the song by yourself, a little flexibility helps a lot. If you normally write the music first but get a great idea for a lyrical hook, should you toss it? Of course not; it makes sense to follow your inspiration wherever it leads, even if where it leads is uncharted territory for you.
And certainly, there are many shades of gray between “music first” and “lyrics first”. Many times the words-first writer will start to hear a melody before those words are done. I’ve talked to a number of writers who’ve had the exhilarating experience of having a chorus or even a whole song come out whole. Last summer I was trying to write a serious ballad for the state song contest, and a completely different, lighthearted lyric forced itself upon me. I literally had to stop writing the first song to get the words to the second song down. The first song remains an incomplete disaster, and the second song became one of my personal favorites ( Florida in my Shoes, to which SusieCool wrote wonderful breezy music). Inspiration is still the best songwriter.
At the risk of talking about myself too much, I should tell you why I’m writing on this topic again. I’m trying something new: chord progression first. I’ve heard other writers talk about it, but haven’t tried it myself since I was a novice with a poor grasp of music theory. It’s going pretty well, and I’m enjoying it as a fresh approach to composing.
I recommend trying a new writing method for just that reason: a little variety keeps things interesting. Anything that keeps a writer writing is a good thing. J
ISG Bulletin Board
The services of Park Ave. CDs are available to local songwriters who want to sell their CDs. I have used their services for my 1st CD—Starling. This past week I left 5 copies of my second CD— Blue Star Highway (lyrics by Ester Starling, music by Mike Kondol).
There is no charge to you. They earn a modest commission from you on any sold. Location is 2916 Corrine Dr. , Winter Park , FL , phone 407-282-1616, web www.parkavecds.com. They are friendly and helpful; visit or call for details. Posted by ISG member Ester Starling.
Kitty Camp Pet Boarding—A loving, lakeside resort in Fruitland Park . Daily activities include: playtime, bird-watching, brushing, petting, purring, sunbathing, catnapping, and kitty’s favorite…mealtime! Daily/Weekly/Long Term, private rooms and suites available. 25% off weekly stay, FREE first night. Please call for details at 352-205-4284. Posted by ISG member Jackie Gould.
Jeff Mason’s gig schedule:
Appearing At O'Keefe's Irish Pub, Fridays & Saturdays from 5pm, musicians welcome!
115 S. Rockingham Tavares, FL, 352-343-2157
Appearing at Tijuana Flats on the Patio (weather permitting), Thursdays at 6pm
444 S. Hunt Club Blvd , Apopka , FL 407 774 0402
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 “Lead Sheets” 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.ticopeach.net/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!
August’s Top Songs—Results of monthly critique session
(1) What Would It Take? by Will Campbell
(2) You Are Leaving by Susan Foster-Trewick
(3) I Need Some Lovin’ by Bob Witmer
(4) In Iraq by Ester Starling and Mike Kondol
© 2008 ISG