Someone laughed when I told them I teach songwriting. "You can't teach that," was his cynical reply, and to some extent he is correct. But then again, you can't "teach" love either. You talk about it, exemplify it, pray for it, practice it, but the ultimate gift is within, and invisible, easily imitated but impossible to fake.
Many songwriters hit on a good one now and then, and if you learn the craft, then a little talent goes a long way.
That's not what I'm after when I teach.
I want to help students find their voice as writers, to inspire them to discover their gift and then increase that gift with practice and skill.
The rewards of songwriting are great, whether you get published or not. It's always worth it to write a great song. It's always worth it to sing it to someone.
The thought that I must, that I ought to write, never leaves me for an instant." - Chekov
13 comments:
Your turn! - Kim
"I Write to Get Better"
Consistency is something I strive for in my songs, yet I'm unable to motivate myself to write and produce consistent results regularly. I desire to pursue my passions, yet I'm unwilling to make sacrifices or find time to follow through with such tasks. In regards to songwriting, I have found my detrimental roadblock and possible perpetual weakness.
As a writer, the drive for excellence must continue daily. No matter the cost, we must find the time and place to jot our thoughts down on notebook paper and sing out the melodies that have been locked inside our creative minds. If we truly want to be successful writers, commitment to our craft is a must.
Essentially, our future lies in a song. If we as the writer don't write on a regular basis, how can we ever expect to get better at our gift or get all of our songs out of our minds and into an MP3? WE are our biggest strength, as well as weakness. Write, write, and then write some more, and when you think you can't write anymore, stick through it and write again.
"Write, write, and then write some more..." - the quotable Craig White!
Music has always been a part of my life. And I love songs with awesome messages within the lyrics. My sister was a Comtemporary Christian artist for a little while, so I would always hear her talk about writing songs. I've always admired my sister and wanted to be like her. In some ways I still want to be like here today.
I never really focused on the melodies of songs or the fact that it had "a good beat." I always focused on the lyrics, and I wanted to be able to imitate that. I've always loved coming up with creative stories when I was younger, but I never really wrote them down. But once I started writing creatively, I don't think I could stop. With the exception of a few breaks that I took. For example, I wrote one to two songs a year before I took my first songwriting class two years ago. Then I wrote 15 songs in about and 8-9 month period. It felt amazing! But once I was no longer in the class, it seemed so hard to discipline myself to sit down and write. It's been almost two years since I finished that 15th song and I've only written about 5 1/2-6 songs, not including that song that I wrote this week. I feel like kicking myself sometimes. I'll admit that I was never a big fan of some of my songs, but how can I get better if I don't write?
I love that this class sort of forces you to write, and the fact that we have a teacher who is experienced in this specific area and loves to help you out, even when you are no longer in her class. She always excited to hear what you've written. I am so grateful for that.
My biggest struggles with songwriting boil down to my own insecurities, and a lack of direction with my songs. Each of these problems can be solved mostly through a class. The opportunity to learn from experienced and accomplished songwriters will help me find my drive and direction for each song, letting me hone in on wherever it is I want to go with the writing.
Being in a class of peers who each share my love of music and creativity gives me the opportunity to see each of them for who they are through their songs. I will be able to see what inspires them, to see their preferences, and styles, and to share in that passion by applying it to my own songwriting.
I tend to fall in love with my songs while I am writing them only to hate them just a short while later. I hope that this class will help me to make music that I love, not just what I think others want to hear, and to realize the value of each writer and their uniqueness.
It has been such a wonderful journey these past 6 months writing songs. I just started writing more towards the end of the summer and once I completed my first song in two days I realized how incredible it is and I certainly did not want to stop there. Songwriting has played a major role in my life to help me express and deal with my emotions. Writing songs can be extremely therapeutic. I think music can have such a powerful effect on people and bring forth different emotions. I strive to be as authentic as possible in my writing with things I've experienced.
I hope that people can be moved by music and find some sort of comfort. It brings joy to my heart even if one person is moved or inspired by a song. I am continually learning something new everyday and look forward to seeing this gift grow and develop over time. Regardless if my songs "take off"or not they can still be special to a specific person or audience and that is beautiful in itself. I really look forward to hearing everyone's songs this semester and I'm truly thankful for this class!
"The rewards of songwriting are great, whether you get published or not. It's always worth it to write a great song. It's always worth it to sing it to someone." Kim McLean
I agree whole-heartedly with this Kim. Thank you for sharing!
Sean Kilpatrick 1/15/14: For me, to write is to transcribe my thoughts, experiences, and emotions into something more than words are capable of saying. That is whether the song benefits just me in being able to express myself, or others in that they could relate and apply it to their own lives. My single greatest goal in song writing is to impact and in some way speak to people who need to hear what they are feeling expressed in a different way than what they have heard before.
I'm so proud to be part of such a talented group of people. Your music and lyrics speak louder than you think! I never expected to take a class at Trevecca that I could connect with as well as I do with this one. I am very grateful to Kim for sharing her knowledge and experience with us!
I would like to thank everybody for their support, criticism and suggestions for my writing, it really means the world to me! Good luck to everyone in this semester, I can not wait to hear more of your songs! God bless
WHY ISN'T THIS IN THE WORLD?
Cassie Langjahr:
I played a song of mine for a friend over break. She liked it so much that when it was over she said, "why isn't this in the world?" It's so heart-warming and affirming to have someone care about your song and want others to hear it. Songwriting class always inspired me so much because my fellow writers were deep, talented individuals. I wanted their work to be heard by the masses. Lately, I've been thinking about the implications of this and here's what it keeps coming down to:
Your work is incredibly valuable.
And if that's true, does that mean my work is, too?
I get a little anxious and more than a little hesitant whenever I play my songs for someone. It feels a little pretentious, you know? Why would my art be worth 3-5 minutes of someone's time and attention? Yet, I would never feel that way about one of your songs. I believe that your work ought to be in the world. There are over 7 billion people out there waiting to be moved and have their hearts touched by your art.
Find new ways to remind yourself every day that your songs have value.
And if yours do, than so do mine :)
So right, Cassie!
When I first started writing songs, I found it so incredibly daunting. I always thought, “How could I create an incredible song that people would really enjoy?” So in order to overcome my fear of writing for other people, I always wrote for myself and what it was that I wanted, or that I thought made any rhyming sense. Now, writing songs has turned into a responsibility for me. God has blessed me with the ability to write and now I feel that I must, despite if I even make a living off it, I feel compelled to write regardless. I love writing, but in my busy world it’s hard to find time to write. When I do sit down I always aspire to write a song that I believe in and that has meaning, no matter for what context I write. I have applied something to every song I write that one of my songwriting heroes once said, “If you don’t believe it, with every ounce of you, then there’s no point in singing it.”-Jon Foreman. This focus to truly write a song that I believe in has given me direction and inspiration to always be the best that I can be because I’m the one who first has to believe in it before it’s possible for anyone else too.
Awesome. I feel the same way. If I write for other people, I still write what I believe with every ounce of me - not just when I sing the songs. I think understanding the responsibility of writing is one of the secrets to sticking with it.
I wrote my first song at 10 years old. I didn't get really serious about it until I had two friends die in a car accident and I wrote Legacy in about five minutes. Since then, songs have always come to me very quickly. When Geron David mentored me and taught me how to write, it took my writing to a new level. Without Geron, I probably wouldn't have felt as confident as I am about my music but he reminded me that when the Lord gives you a message to share, or testimony, you should always share it and use it for His glory which shifted my gaze to the Lord and others rather than it being about me. I always wanted my music to touch people. I was privileged to go on a West Coast Tour in 2007 and sing Legacy while opening for Geron and a choir. I heard from people in the audience about how my song touched them and made them cry. I was just so humbled that the Lord could use me. Months later, I heard churches were even singing it in their worship services. Now, 7 years after writing the song, I hear of people that aren't even Christians being ministered to through that song. Ever since the first time I sang it in front of an audience, I wanted my music to change people's lives. I wanted it to help encourage and touch people. My songs always start very personal and then I see if other people can relate to it. I believe that music is truly something inspired from Heaven and the songs that the Lord gives us are either to help us or to help others, sometimes both, but ultimately create some kind of change whether it's in our lives or in others. I know that a few minutes can change the world and a song can change the world. I pray that the Lord gives me songs to change the world and give me guidance and training to be a better writer. I don't want what I do just to be out of "fun" but out of excellence. I love what you said about helping others find their voice as a writer. I love that you're willing to impart the knowledge you have into the next generation of writers.
Xx- Rachel Jeanette
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