[keverson]

Hey everyone!! A newbie here!! These are great boards!!

Lots of great songwriting tips too! thanks!!

I've got a quick question. Ummm I write all these songs but what can I do with the songs I write? Like can you sell songs to a publishing company, or do you have to be a recording artist to get your songs played? just wondering! If any of you older and wiser ppls around here have any advice I'd appreacite it!!

[Charlie Duncan]

vineyard music buys good songs...go to www.vineyardmusic and look at their policy.

[Scott]

vineyard music buys good songs...go to www.vineyardmusic and look at their policy.

*danger danger danger*

well, that may be a little over the top, but if you intend to sell songs, you need to get them copyrighted, or they WILL be stolen, it happens all the time. Ok, maybe not will, but could.

Also, you would be better served looking for a publishing (not recording, they are different things) deal rather than dealing with music companies yourself, far safer and you will get more money, and a better deal since the publishing company will be able to negotiate a far better deal for you.

On to the points about songwriting.

1) Always carry a notepad, and maybe a dictaphone to take notes on melody, lyrics and whatnot.

2) Wherever possible DO NOT use false rhymes, which are things like "cut" and "up", or "breathe" and "leave". It's tempting to use them, and I have used them, but it makes your lines more powerful not to. A proper rhyme is one like "ground" and "around", with the same syllable at the end.

3) Don't use rhymes that are contained inside the word you are trying to rhyme with, i.e. "slip" and "lip", which although are proper rhymes, lack something.

4) Rhyming dictionaries are a good tool, but don't try and write a song/poem with one of them, people can tell that you have.

5) Never throw anything away, you can always use the good bits in another piece.

Ehh, I've got more, but can't think.

[froggee501]

don't always write something that rhymes.

[Amanda]

[+] Write about what's going on in your life. People like it when you're at least honest. Besides, it's a lot easier to write about real-life experiences than trying to make up one.

[+] Don't try to sound like someone else! Be yourself!

[+] I agree with what several other people have said: You don't have to rhyme what you write!!!!

[+] Sit down with your guitar or piano or keyboard and just start playing chords until you come up with something that sounds good. Start singing lines that come to mind.

[+] If you're writing a worship song, write from Scripture.

[cutawayovation]

I've found that just taking a moment to pray before writing lyrics really works. Just sit back in a quiet place where the Holy Spirit of our Lord GOD can speak to you in your heart and soul, then, it will just come naturally.

In Christ,
Brian Matthew Vanoy
http://brianmatthewvanoy.faithweb.com/

[liL puNk midget]

when it comes to songwriting, i like how max from superchic[k] describes it as (hehe! sowwi im big on superchic[k]) so heres justa somethin they said bout it dat might help!

"actually, I figured if I just sat down, locked the door and thought harder, I'd be able to write more songs. I wish songwriting was like that, But it's really not."
"I've discovered that sometimes the trick to writing is actually not to write at all, but to fill your 'creative well' as Julia Cameron calls it...It's all ideas."

"it's more all part of the creative process. So really, songwriting isn't just about songwriting.. it's about life. It's about what you put into your head.. what you listen to, what you see, what you hear...You never know when something you run across is going to make it's way into a song. "
"We're all a product of our influences and our songwriting is very much a result of what we feed our brains with."

[pistolpete2]

I don't know if it works for everybody, but I seem to be able to write songs when I'm pretty emotional. But then again, almost all I write is stupid bitter songs... So maybe my advice is not the best...

my only advice is something that i have a bad problem with... just write it, don't let yourself wander around for a week or two with an idea in your head, thinking you'll write it down eventually, because you wont, you'll lose it... so yeah, just write it...

[pistolpete2]

my only advice is something that i have a bad problem with... just write it, don't let yourself wander around for a week or two with an idea in your head, thinking you'll write it down eventually, because you wont, you'll lose it... so yeah, just write it...

Sound advice there, I can't even think of how many songs I've forgotten!

[Underhill]

Originally posted by HeavenOnAStick
a lot of GOOD songs hardly rhyme at all, the song I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever only has three rhymes, but is is a VERY good song.

has anyone haerd of the band "3rd Strike"? they have an awesome song called "No Light" and nothing in it rhymes!

[Josh]

Hey guys.... I was just thinking about my songs.... about 75% of them pertain to my failures my faults, and how I'm sorry... like a prayer to God asking forgiveness. And they seem kind of depressing to read. I don't know if this is okay. None of them are like "I'm never going to get out of this". They always offer a solution, in Christ. But what's your opinion. These songs have all been given to me by God. I believe that. But.... I have a lot of trouble writing uplifting happy songs.... any feedback?

Thanks,
Josh

[Janyse]

Originally posted by Josh Barton
Hey guys.... I was just thinking about my songs.... about 75% of them pertain to my failures my faults, and how I'm sorry... like a prayer to God asking forgiveness. And they seem kind of depressing to read. I don't know if this is okay. None of them are like "I'm never going to get out of this". They always offer a solution, in Christ. But what's your opinion. These songs have all been given to me by God. I believe that. But.... I have a lot of trouble writing uplifting happy songs.... any feedback?

Thanks,
Josh

Oh no I don't think there's anything wrong with that - Look at how many of the Psalms David cried out in absolute anguish.

God wants us to love Him with all out mind, heart, soul, and strength -- to break that down we should love Him intellectually (studying scripture), heart (emotionally), spiritually (prayer, Holy Spirit), and physically (our bodies are temples).

When we look at heart - or emotional love - we're to give ALL of that to God. We always have joy but not always happiness - God wants honesty - it doesn't matter if you're confused hurt questioning overjoyed or whatever.

I think the best comprimise is what you've already offered - you give a solution in Christ in the message.

:kgrin: Be honest and you'll always write the best songs.

[froggee501]

Originally posted by Josh Barton
Hey guys.... I was just thinking about my songs.... about 75% of them pertain to my failures my faults, and how I'm sorry... like a prayer to God asking forgiveness. And they seem kind of depressing to read. I don't know if this is okay. None of them are like "I'm never going to get out of this". They always offer a solution, in Christ. But what's your opinion. These songs have all been given to me by God. I believe that. But.... I have a lot of trouble writing uplifting happy songs.... any feedback?

Thanks,
Josh

songs about anguish and the such are easier to write than happy songs without sounding cheesy. Besides, you are writing what I bet you feel... that is NOT a bad thing. I'm a very happy person usually, yet my songs have been about hard times, death, starvation, etc. It's OKAY.

[Josh]

Thanks guys. I'd still like to write more happy songs.... that's how I feel too. Sometimes when I write joyful songs they sound either cheesy or too much like punk music. (For some reasons I have problems writing songs in major scales.) I have like 2 "happy" songs out of the 10 my band is going to use when we do shows this summer... oh well. Nevermind. Thanks.

Josh