Song Writing Camp Summary

October 18, 2012

Resource Person: Gary Granada

To write a good music one must have:

1. Attitude

a. The most basic but the most important elements of our attitude are:

i. Humility

ii. Hard wok/ Persistence

iii. Humor

Note: relativistic of an art

To create an impact ins songwriting – bench mark the classics.

AIM: To create something that will last, not just to create for the purpose of creating.

2. Rhythm techniques

a. Pertain to lyric rhyming

i. Rhyming movements

1. Vertical

2. Horizontal

3. Diagonal

4. Skip

ii. Rhyming modes

1. Congruent

2. Intermediate

3. Deferred/Delayed

4. Transient

iii. Tip: lyrics with the same note must rhyme

iv. A song must create a story

October 19, 2012

Resource Person: Jungee Marcelo

Opening text: Ephesians 4:23-24

Melodic structures

Things to remember pertaining to melody

1. Song comes from God

2. Perfecting it is 1% inspiration 99% perspiration

a. A song is subject to perfection

3. Must be specific when creating a musical concept

a. One must establish the 2 aspects

i. Melody

ii. Lyrics

A. Melody

a. What is melody

i. A sequence of notes

ii. When in junction creates a rhythm

1. Setting if patterns

a. String of notes

Tips to create a beautiful and effective melody

1. Through formal education or workshops

2. Jam sessions with other songwriters/musician/singers

3. Affinity to different musical genres

Different musical patterns

1. Ascending

2. Descending

3. Combination

4. Repetition

Characteristics of a good melody

1. Sing able

2. Can be easily recalled

3. Must be fresh

4. Must be flowing

Effective tool for hit materials

1. Musical/Lyrical Hook

2. Identity

Types of tone

1. Melodic

a. Stand alone

b. Can applied mostly on ballad

2. Chordal

a. Dependent on other tones

b. Can be applied on dance and riff based music

3. Choose the road less taken, do not simply copy other’s melodic line

B. Lyrics

a. “Discipline does not hamper creativity”

Basics in lyric writing

1. Strike a common chord

2. The singer of the song is the song itself

Thing to remember about lyrics

1. A lyrics is not a poem; why

a. A poem Is long

b. A poem is vague

Features of a winning lyric

1. The idea is identifiable

2. Has a memorable Title

3. Has a strong start

a. Time frame

b. Situation

c. Setting

d. Provocative statement

4. Pay-off: Ending

a. Evoke emotional response

b. Include conflict (musical)

5. Appropriate form

a. Common lyric structure

i. Aaa form – hymnals

ii. Verse – Chorus form

iii. Verse – Chorus – Bridge form

iv. Add Vamps

6. Consistency of view points

a. First person (I or We or to you)

b. Second person

i. Giving advice

ii. Specific “YOU”

c. Third person

7. Consistency of language style

a. Tender, hip, poetic, street wise. Etc.

8. Universal Appeal

a. Direct connection to whom and what

b. Clear message

c. Time and setting

d. Simplicity and conciseness

e. Take not e of personal pronouns – without these a song is vague

f. Beware of homonyms

Lyric writing

1. Concept the story line

2. Induce free writing

3. Create a word list

4. Separate words that will rhyme

5. Create a plot

6. Adopt the lyrics to the melody

a. If adjustment is needed, adjust the melody to the lyric

7. Rhyme words

a. Verbal adhesive

i. Can be a perfect rhyme or a near rhyme

b. Rhyming patterns

i. A – A – A – A

ii. A – A – B – B

iii. A – B – A – B

iv. A – B – C – B

8. Meter – song syllable

9. Figures of speech

a. Simile

b. Metaphor

c. Personification

d. Allusion

e. Snap shots/ idioms / exaggerations

Additional Tips

1. Create fresh insights

2. Repitition

3. Create sound effects

a. Combination of consonants and vowels

4. Create vocal hooks

5. Onomatopoeia

6. Alliterations

7. DO NOT use jargons

8. Avoid common mistakes

a. Love song – gospel lyric

b. Sesura – stanza meter

c. Mispronunciation

d. Spelling

e. Impossible descriptions

f. Double meaning

g. Unhappy wedding

Golden Rules

1. Write for love

a. Do not be afraid of criticisms

2. Write everyday – practice

3. Start a song book

4. Listen to prominent song writers

5. Listen to music

6. Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite

a. Continually revise your song

7. Network with other song writers

8. Be respectful of other’s works

9. Be patient with oneself

a. Perfection does not come easily

October 20, 2012

Resource Speaker: Rommel Guevarra

Praise and worship songwriting

3 M’s in song writing

- Madaling makanta

- Medaling makabisa

- Medaling tandaan

In creating a good praise and worship song, you must be at the right place at the right time – be always

aware of His presence.

Culture

- Of understanding

o Who am I?

o Why I worship

o How I worship

� The pattern of worship in heaven

- Of excellence with thanksgiving

- Of originality

- Of ministry and service

- Of giving/ generosity

We sing songs of praise:

- That reflect God’s glory

- That brings victory

Find the right sound; find the right music – revelation from God

- A lyric must always reflect the word of God

- A tandem of Word and Spirit as the Spirit gives life