Songwriting - the Why and the How

A song is a unique construction. There is nothing like it.

We have the lyrics - the words – that speak to us and we each in our individual response learn from them. And then we have music – which is so mysterious that we don’t try and understand it. Music is magical.   What we do is weave the lyrics and music together in such a way that the seamless end result finds us taken on a journey – from when the song starts –to when it finishes -  and we are better for it.

 The third factor that falls into play here is called prosody. This is where the lyrics, the melody and chord sequence of the music and the rhythms of the various components – intros, verses, middle eights, choruses, outros, solos and codas provide a natural and pleasing union as they move along the song’s length in their various places / positions.   A song with clumsy prosody won’t work. More on that later.

And so there we have it as a starting point– the two points of creativity. Words and music.
WHERE DOES THIS PLACE US? What is the impact of songs in our lives.

The appreciation of song is universal. Every single person enjoys songs every day of their lives. In fact, it happens so regularly and in such a way that we don't think about it. But if it were to disappear from our lives, we would soon sense something was very wrong.

The performance and writing of songs, as a natural consequence, can provide huge benefits to many, many people. To witness a young student conquering their adversities through the craft of songwriting is a celebration.To hear a class of disadvantaged children playing a song they wrote in a ukulele orchestra is no less so. There is an empowerment. There is a beautiful distillation where a young person's value is realised.

Administrators and local authorities believed the same of sport.This was more than a hundred years ago. Fields were provided, clubs were put together and sporting leagues founded. Today this structure is sophisticated and rewards a large sector of society with a sports infrastructure, funding(sponsors, broadcasters, donors, government support, gaming societies and soon) and a professional career path for the masters.When it comes to music, we have the professional career path which augments the wide activities of those who brighten their life with song.

But unlike most sports, the base social activity for music is fragmented, disparate and too often relies on dogged determination and good luck for someone to flourish in the making of music. This has to change. And part of that process will be the Play It Strange Trust and its programmes.

Play It Strange formed because a number of people recognise the performance of song as an activity that stimulates the imagination, provides  an outlet for expression and skills young people in communication, presentation, teamwork, responsibility and commitment. Play it Strange trustees and staff look to see these following stages being realised:

·  Young people being aware of positive role models from the music industry through mentoring and participatory programmes;

·  Encouraging and facilitating young people to make, and experiment in, songwriting which will reflect NZ's unique characteristics, thereby encouraging creativity and innovation  in NZ music; and

·  Enabling young people to make a positive contribution to society through recording music and upskilling in the craft of the recording studio.

The time has come to assist those who show potential at a young age. The time has come to provide a platform for all young people to know and participate in the words and music they are all capable of making.

POINTS TO INVESTIGATE WHEN LISTENING TO SONGS

Be careful of being too literal.  Seek metaphors that make the journey the listener is have some colour, some imagination in the image and the response.  

Click the boxes to listen to the songs!

Go for EVOCATIVE lyrics 

Ask questions

Make the chorus the summation of the story/ The principal idea

A chord sequence that varies

"Strawberry Fields Forever"

"Yes It Is"

"This Boy"

Have your chorus move up a key

“Stuff And Nonsense”
Split Enz

Melodies that vary from one verse/line to another

“Home”
Annah Mac

Very simple, almost child -like melodies

“Royals" & "Team"
Lorde

A cool riff -  essential intro

“I Got You”
Split Enz

Very simple, almost child -like melodies

“Sounds Of Silence"
Simon and Garfunkel