One of the worst things you can overthink is how the person you're pitching to is going to react: "They won't go for this because it's too crazy or too different etc." In many cases, it's the pitches you think they will never go for that they actually get the most excited about, for the very reason that it's different and fresh compared to all the safe pitches they're receiving.
I'm binge listening today while on the road. I always heard if you want to be successful then watch successful people and do the things they do. So.. that's why I'm here. Appreciate the wealth of knowledge you guys share here. Hope you both have an awesome new year filled with one hit after another. BTW.. no comments were made while driving 🙂.
Oscillators are warming up in the next room…. I’m sitting in bed sipping coffee, getting ready to work on some music…. So while I wait for my analog synths to stabilize, I thought I’d keep sharp by listening to more tips from actual Professionals…. 💛🙏🎶 Edit: I work best, early in the morning…. Up at 4am, playing music at 7am
I’ve been listening to you guys for quite some time and🎉 this, for me, was the best songwriting advice I’ve had what a great great session. I think you guys hit it by not overthinking your TH-cam videos ! This is probably one of your best. I didn’t overthink my comments either my daughter bought me a T-shirt that says professional Overthinker. 😅 hit me hard thank you.
Everything is a rough draft for me. Super easy to overthink, so sometimes underthinking is a nice tactic. What the words are saying is more important than forcing meaning on the words.
Stay on your theme ‼️Say what you mean, mean what you say ! And don't try to get too cute ( of course rules are meant to be broken)but first we must know the Rules.Have a Theme and stay with it ❣️ The verse thing reminds me of Leonard Cohen. He had many many verses to Hallelujah
Love the intellect/auralect thing. I once saw a talk/interview with Rosanne Cash and when somebody asked her "what's the best advice you would give a songwriter?" She said "just don't listen to that editor in the back of your head too early in the process." I think she was saying something quite similar to what you're saying here Clay.
I have a few songs that are completed but will still go back and re-evaluate them with a fresh set of ears and possibly an expanded direction if I might have come up with a more effective line or verse or chorus after time has passed. I don’t think it’s a major problem because it usually does make the overall outcome better, and if the song hasn’t been published professionally, it can be a good thing to trim some of the fat, if there is any. Some songs are set in stone and are fine as recorded
Waiting till January and I'm joining you guys in some fashion. Ive always been behind the scenes under a pen name, and pretty private with my work. Just learning to share a bit. Appreciate you guys being here. Brian-
I love your channel guys. Great advice always. I have always, as a singer songwriter like airing ideas at my regular Friday night gig. I find playing live really sorts out songs. I’m a fan of great intros And especially having a wonderful opening line. I love great opening lines. I have regular audience people who enjoy hearing a song settle in over a few weeks. Cheers From Tasmanian Australia.
T'hat's the 7th of the chord. At around 9:51 the chorus starting note should be the same for all the choruses and the also the verse note being the same for all the verses but they should not be the same for the verse and the chorus. This is what we understand, correct?
As a (newly retired) petroleum engineer, how could I ever be accused of overthinking something? Ha! I do tend to approach songs as a "puzzle" to be solved. I have 3-4 minutes to tell a story, typically in two verses, a chorus, and a bridge (though I've written songs well outside that format . . sometimes you have to think "outside the box"). So I tend not to start a song until I have some idea how I might do that (mainly trying to avoid having the second verse just be a repeat of the first). But it's interesting to me that often a song starts to go in a direction I never imagined . . and I typically just let it go that way. And I've found that I often end up writing things that later mean something to me that I hadn't necessarily thought about writing . . almost like my subconscious is writing something instead of my conscious mind. As to unfinished songs . . . I don't have a lot of those . . . I hate starting a song and not finishing it. It's hard to start working on a different song when I'm still thinking about another one.
"do the laundry" is a euphemism? ;-) For me, it's not always about 'how can I top this' as much as 'is there another good idea in me'? (or to be honest, any idea)
I hear ya. I used to feel that way. But the more I learned to tap into that creative river that is constantly flowing, I realized that there is always something worthwhile to write about. Ideas are everywhere if we keep our antenna up and build our confidence. I learned it from hall of fame writers and pass it down with my SongTown students.Write on! CM
But some of the best songs are challenging. Not meant to give you instant feelings. Like Dylan. They are not hits, but they get you the Nobel price of litterature 😂
I love your channel guys. Great advice always. I have always, as a singer songwriter like airing ideas at my regular Friday night gig. I find playing live really sorts out songs. I’m a fan of great intros And especially having a wonderful opening line. I love great opening lines. I have regular audience people who enjoy hearing a song settle in over a few weeks. Cheers From Tasmanian Australia.
One of the worst things you can overthink is how the person you're pitching to is going to react: "They won't go for this because it's too crazy or too different etc." In many cases, it's the pitches you think they will never go for that they actually get the most excited about, for the very reason that it's different and fresh compared to all the safe pitches they're receiving.
Write on! CM
I'm binge listening today while on the road. I always heard if you want to be successful then watch successful people and do the things they do. So.. that's why I'm here. Appreciate the wealth of knowledge you guys share here. Hope you both have an awesome new year filled with one hit after another.
BTW.. no comments were made while driving 🙂.
Glad you're enjoying the channel! Write on! CM
Great points. I think "reasons you can't finish songs" would be a great topic. How people get lost in the woods with it.
Good idea! We’ve touched on it but could do an episode on it. 👍
@@SongTownUSAPlease do.
Really useful, thanks. A quote I heard on writer's block was "Show us your bad stuff".
Oscillators are warming up in the next room…. I’m sitting in bed sipping coffee, getting ready to work on some music….
So while I wait for my analog synths to stabilize, I thought I’d keep sharp by listening to more tips from actual Professionals….
💛🙏🎶
Edit: I work best, early in the morning…. Up at 4am, playing music at 7am
I’ve been listening to you guys for quite some time and🎉 this, for me, was the best songwriting advice I’ve had what a great great session. I think you guys hit it by not overthinking your TH-cam videos ! This is probably one of your best. I didn’t overthink my comments either my daughter bought me a T-shirt that says professional Overthinker. 😅 hit me hard thank you.
Thanks for letting us know John! Hope you have a great Christmas and you didn't overthink the gifts you are giving ;) Write on! CM
Everything is a rough draft for me. Super easy to overthink, so sometimes underthinking is a nice tactic. What the words are saying is more important than forcing meaning on the words.
Good points!
Great set guys. Thank you.
Thanks for listening! Write on! CM
Stay on your theme ‼️Say what you mean, mean what you say ! And don't try to get too cute ( of course rules are meant to be broken)but first we must know the Rules.Have a Theme and stay with it ❣️ The verse thing reminds me of Leonard Cohen. He had many many verses to Hallelujah
Absolutely!! CM
Love the intellect/auralect thing. I once saw a talk/interview with Rosanne Cash and when somebody asked her "what's the best advice you would give a songwriter?" She said "just don't listen to that editor in the back of your head too early in the process." I think she was saying something quite similar to what you're saying here Clay.
Rosanne is a legend. 👍
i love these videos as a songwriter - such gold
Awww thanks ❤️. Write on! CM
I have a few songs that are completed but will still go back and re-evaluate them with a fresh set of ears and possibly an expanded direction if I might have come up with a more effective line or verse or chorus after time has passed. I don’t think it’s a major problem because it usually does make the overall outcome better, and if the song hasn’t been published professionally, it can be a good thing to trim some of the fat, if there is any. Some songs are set in stone and are fine as recorded
Waiting till January and I'm joining you guys in some fashion. Ive always been behind the scenes under a pen name, and pretty private with my work. Just learning to share a bit. Appreciate you guys being here.
Brian-
Write on! CM
Pretty cool stuff man definitely helpful
I love your channel guys.
Great advice always.
I have always, as a singer songwriter like airing ideas at my regular Friday night gig.
I find playing live really sorts out songs.
I’m a fan of great intros
And especially having a wonderful opening line.
I love great opening lines.
I have regular audience people who enjoy hearing a song settle in over a few weeks.
Cheers
From Tasmanian Australia.
Great advice, thank you!!!
Some great tips in this one! Thanks! Jody
Merry Xmas buddy! CM
T'hat's the 7th of the chord. At around 9:51 the chorus starting note should be the same for all the choruses and the also the verse note being the same for all the verses but they should not be the same for the verse and the chorus. This is what we understand, correct?
Yes, we’re talking about creating contrast between different sections of the song. Verses, prechorus, chorus, bridge, etc
"Aurilect" - great word! Hope I spelled it right. Loved Fix #1 about having a good reason to fix it or leave it alone.
Thanks! I spell it Auralect in my book :) CM
I'll make sure I use the MIlls-Dodson Dictionary going forward!!
That could get you into some trouble 🤣
@@SongTownUSA I'm gonna not over think that 😂
I don’t know how you write with other people. I can’t do that at all!
Takes practice. But it's not for everyone :) Write on! CM
Just Bounce off
@@Newfoundmike I think I’m too much of a control freak :/
Thank you ❤
You're welcome 😊
As a (newly retired) petroleum engineer, how could I ever be accused of overthinking something? Ha! I do tend to approach songs as a "puzzle" to be solved. I have 3-4 minutes to tell a story, typically in two verses, a chorus, and a bridge (though I've written songs well outside that format . . sometimes you have to think "outside the box"). So I tend not to start a song until I have some idea how I might do that (mainly trying to avoid having the second verse just be a repeat of the first). But it's interesting to me that often a song starts to go in a direction I never imagined . . and I typically just let it go that way. And I've found that I often end up writing things that later mean something to me that I hadn't necessarily thought about writing . . almost like my subconscious is writing something instead of my conscious mind. As to unfinished songs . . . I don't have a lot of those . . . I hate starting a song and not finishing it. It's hard to start working on a different song when I'm still thinking about another one.
Write on! CM
Dad Gum it Clay & Marty, y'all have been profiling me for episode content; LOL ! Cheers
Haha! Merry Xmas!
Yes on the option paralysis. Kills me
Been there! CM
"Songs are too complex" How would this relate to genres that incorperate complexity, such as Progressive Rock, Jazz, or Metal?
Great genres and they are not “too” complex for their audience… and when done well the audience knows exactly how to feel. Write on! CM
11:04 great songs aren’t written. They’re re written.
"do the laundry" is a euphemism? ;-)
For me, it's not always about 'how can I top this' as much as 'is there another good idea in me'? (or to be honest, any idea)
I hear ya. I used to feel that way. But the more I learned to tap into that creative river that is constantly flowing, I realized that there is always something worthwhile to write about. Ideas are everywhere if we keep our antenna up and build our confidence. I learned it from hall of fame writers and pass it down with my SongTown students.Write on! CM
But some of the best songs are challenging. Not meant to give you instant feelings. Like Dylan. They are not hits, but they get you the Nobel price of litterature 😂
Love Dylan! CM
@SongTownUSA I saw him in England a month ago. Happy Holidays, CM. I love to listen to you guys. I will join Songtown soon.
Happy Holidays!
Please try a different microphone setup.
I love your channel guys.
Great advice always.
I have always, as a singer songwriter like airing ideas at my regular Friday night gig.
I find playing live really sorts out songs.
I’m a fan of great intros
And especially having a wonderful opening line.
I love great opening lines.
I have regular audience people who enjoy hearing a song settle in over a few weeks.
Cheers
From Tasmanian Australia.
Write on! CM