From Taro Kaji serving in Japan
QUESTION: Songwriting?
I have difficulty turning an idea into an actual song. When an idea for a new song, melody in particular, comes to mind, what is the first thing you do?
RICK MUCHOW:
Dear Taro,
Songwriting is an organic process. It's different for everyone. When I have an idea for a new song, the first thing I do is try to notate it in some way either by writing or recording it. Don't rely on your memory to capture an idea. Be prepared to notate at any moment. You never know when something great is going to hit you. After that, I give it some space and come back to it later to see if it still seems like a good idea. I've found that not every "good" idea I have should be completed into a song.
Turning an idea into a song is called songcrafting: the art of writing and rewriting using technique; taking all the elements of a song and refining them. Think in terms of the chorus as the general statement or summary of the song. The chorus is the slogan or motto. The verse describes the chorus, tells the story. Identify if your idea is a chorus or a verse. Many times when I start writing, I identify a section as the chorus but later as I'm songcrafting, it becomes the verse. Don't settle for a quick fix. Every word, every musical element matters.
Songcrafting is an art you can study for a lifetime. You can join a club or group or take a class to see how others do it, collaborate, or learn the process. Some writers find success in collaboration as well as through self-study. You might be great at melody and find someone who is great with lyrics. Many of the greatest songs ever written were collaborations.
Songcrafting is what happens when you take hours to work on one line so it fits and is not an additional thought. A common mistake made by beginning songwriters is to have too many songs in one song. Crafting purifies the thought, narrows it down to one idea that you define over and over again in the song. Try to summarize your entire song in one phrase or sentence and then write about that phrase.
Here are two very practical suggestions. If you have a 12 minute song, you probably have too many songs in that song. If you are writing for a congregation, try to keep the range of melody right around one octave. Congregations don't like to sing above a "D" so choose your key wisely.
After you have worked on your song for a while, play it for someone you know, someone you trust who can be real with you to give you their honest feedback. Listen to their feedback! Don't try to explain your song to them. The song should communicate itself. A great sign for a rewrite is if you have to explain what your song is about after it has been heard.
God wants us to play skillfully. I think that means he wants us to give it our best and also give Him the best. He wants our best efforts and he wants great songs. God is more interested in your heart than your art. However, He desires that both keep growing.
