(Word from Rachelle) “Playing music for fun or as a profession is a blessing. Sometimes it is hard to know which steps to take in order to become a musician. Well, if you have a passion for music and a desire to grow as a player, you are well on your way.”
Here are a few tips to get you started:
*- Find an instrument that you actually like to play.
*- Figure out what kind of a learner you are. Do you learn by ear or do you learn by reading notes?
*- Try to find people to hang out with that will show you chords, beats, ect. I hung out with the local blues guitarists and got them to teach me lycs.
*- Get involved in school. Join band, choir…
*- If you like taking lessons, find a teacher. If not, find learning aids such as books, CDs. Then figure out your favorite songs.
*- Play your instrument whenever you can.
*- Find peers who you can play with and get a band situation together.
*- Jam together and work on your own stuff as well as your favorite songs.
*- If you want stage experience, visit the local open stages and get seen. Get used to the stage and having an audience.
*-Enter your songs in songwriting competitions in order to get your name and work out there.
SONG WRITING
*-Everyone has the potential to write a song.
*-It’s a great outlet and a wonderful way to express yourself.
*-All it takes is a pen and you writing all those thoughts into some sort of format that will work with your musical idea.
Formats:
There are many different songwriting formats. Everything goes as long as it flows.
Often “A” represents the verse.
“B” represents a chorus.
“C” represents a bridge.
-In many pop songs today, there is often an intro and/or an outro that “bookends” the song.
-You may also hear a pre-chorus that segways from the verse to the chorus and is not a bridge.
-You need to decide what your song is for and which format will be best for it. For example, it you are writing a pop song targeted to radio play you may want to keep it around 3 minutes with a simple, catchy format (i.e. ABABCAB)
Verse: a section of poem or song where your ideas are introduced and developed.
Chorus: A summary of your idea, story or sensation layed out in the verse.
Bridge: Often a tangent lyrically and musically.
Steps for Writing a Song…
*There are no right or wrong ways to write. These are simply suggestions.
PATH 1: Music first, Lyrics second.
a.Establish some sort of melody, groove, and chord progression.
b.Play it enough so that it is in your head.
c.Start improvising a melody for your music. Usually the lyrics will come if you keep singing along to the tune. The music often evokes images.
d.Choose a topic and perspective for lyrics (personal, political, sensation, story telling, etc)
e.Write a verse and DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT BEING PURRRFECT! “Get the ball rolling.”
f.Decide on a rough format. So, ABABCAB or?
g.Chorus is often used as the “hook” and sums up the feelings or ideas expressed within the verses. Try a chorus.
h.Do you need a bridge? Make sure you are not forcing the idea of one. Sometimes a song can really come together with a bridge however they are not always NECESSARY!
i.Repetition is vital in allowing the song to develop. Often your internal instinct and rhythm will allow the song to develop where it needs to go.
j.Once you have your rough draft, it is important to reevaluate what needs to stay and what needs to go. “Don’t bore us, get to the chorus”.
k.Get feedback and remember the song will develop over time, sometimes years. It can always be reworked.
*If you are frustrated, take a time out. Eat some food, drink some water, and go for a walk. Advice from Anne.
Path II: Lyrics First, Music Second.
a.It’s the same process but switch the steps so that the music will come from your lyrics. Establish your idea (i.e. Poem, story).
*This route sometimes proves to be more difficult because it is trickier to fit the music to the words. Check out Joni Mitchel’s stuff. She does a great job of writing this way.
JAMMING
Jam: to play music in a improvise way, often in a group.
-jamming is great fun and a good way to work your new songs.
-Often you can bring a song to a group of people and jamming can make it go in different directions due to a new beat or bass groove for example.
-jamming can make you a better player due to the fact that you have to listen and meld with the other players.
-jamming is integral for co-writing songs in a group. Recording these jams helps to keep track of what worked and what didn’t.
Important points:
-It’s all about the space. Often less means more.
-Really listen to what is going on around you. Be careful not to “turtle shell” or play to yourself.
-Rehearsal spaces with P.A.s are great but not necessary. Acoustic jams (drumming on the knees/buckets) are just as effective. Don’t blow your voice.
-Be receptive to everyone’s input. Leave your ego at the door.
STAGE PRESENCE
“Your physical presence on stage.”
-How comfortable/charismatic you are on stage effects how the audience receives your songs.
-It’s very important to find an attitude that is natural for you. Be yourself. Be confident even if you don’t feel completely sure of yourself.
-Practice in front of the mirror first.
-If you have the option, ask someone to video tape your performance so that you can see what is actually happening in the moment.
-Don’t worry! There will always be another performance if you want there to be. Much like songwriting, stage presence is an art that can take time to develop.
-Have fun. It is contagious!
-Eye contact with audience is ideal for inviting the into your space and breaking down 4th wall. If this is too much for you, try to look right above the audiences heads.
-Communication with your band on stage should be done tactfully. Be ready for your show.
-Make sure stage banter is appropriate for audience.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT:
“What can I do to get my music out there?”
1.Develop a show. As a singer/songwriter it is important to have a solid set/s worked out that will leave an impression. The same goes for a band.
2.Build a “grass roots” foundation (friends, family, hometown fans) and spread from there.
3.Have a sign-up sheet for developing a fan club (names, emails, locations).
4.Marketing tools such as stickers, banners, magnets are great to sell/hand out at shows with your name, website.
5.Create a website. This can be $$ so find friends who are into trading or do it yourself. – Website you should include music, pictures, biography, press, contact information. _ -Other pages such as forums, diary entries, photo galleries, and links are also great for keeping fans engaged.
6.Should you decide to pursue this path to the next level, recording you music is a wonderful way to get it out to the masses.
7.Decide whether you want to tour outside your area. How are you going to spread the word?
“ARE YOU LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION FROM OTHER ARTISTS? HERE ARE A HANDFUL THAT ARE REALLY GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO.”
*“LOOKING FOR READING MATERIAL?”*