Key Takeaways
1. Embrace Poetic Thinking to Spark Songwriting Inspiration
There is a sensation we get when we know that something we've heard, or the thought we've just thought, has the makings of a work of art.
Cultivate inspiration. Poetic thinking is the foundation of songwriting. It involves looking at the world from different angles and allowing your mind to make unique associations. To court inspiration, set aside time for activities that stimulate your creativity, such as:
- Walking in nature
- Visiting museums
- Watching movies
- Reading poetry or literature
Capture ideas. When inspiration strikes, pay attention to the initial spark. It could be a phrase, a melody, or an image. Record these ideas immediately, as they can be the seeds of your songs. Keep a notebook, voice recorder, or smartphone app handy to capture fleeting moments of inspiration.
Explore loosely. Allow yourself to play with ideas without judgment. Let your mind wander and make connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. This free-flowing exploration can lead to unexpected and powerful songwriting material.
2. Follow the Voice of the Song to Guide its Development
The Voice is the world, or the overall feel, of the song. The Voice is the tone that will reside throughout the lyrics and music.
Identify the Voice. As you begin to develop your song, listen for its unique voice. This includes the choice of narrator, point of view, and overall tone. The Voice will inform decisions about lyrics, melody, and structure.
Let the Voice lead. Allow the Voice of the song to guide your creative choices. It will help you determine:
- Appropriate language and imagery
- Musical style and instrumentation
- Song structure and arrangement
Stay consistent. Throughout the songwriting process, check that your choices align with the established Voice. This consistency will create a cohesive and powerful song that resonates with listeners.
3. Harness the Power of Metaphors and Specific Details
Specific details can give a sense of place, as well as a freshness, beauty, and credibility, that brings our stories to life for our listeners.
Create vivid imagery. Use metaphors and specific details to paint a picture in the listener's mind. This brings your song to life and makes it more engaging and memorable.
Balance general and specific. Find the sweet spot between universal themes and specific details. This allows listeners to connect with the song while experiencing something unique and authentic.
Elements to consider:
- Sensory details (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch)
- Geographical locations
- Time-specific references
- Cultural touchstones
Transmute experiences. Use metaphors to transform ordinary experiences into extraordinary ones. This technique can elevate your songwriting and create deeper emotional connections with listeners.
4. Craft Lyrics that Balance Universality and Personal Experience
We create characters that become strong enough to speak for themselves, sometimes with their own cryptic interior logic, but we are doing ourselves and the world a favor by coming to a personal understanding of what our narrators say, no matter how inscrutably they deliver their stories.
Find your truth. Write about experiences and emotions that are authentic to you. This personal connection will infuse your lyrics with genuine feeling and resonance.
Expand the perspective. While drawing from personal experiences, consider how your story might connect with a broader audience. Look for universal themes within your specific narrative.
Techniques for balancing personal and universal:
- Use the "Invisible B" technique to leave some details unspoken
- Employ relatable metaphors
- Focus on shared human experiences and emotions
Edit for clarity. Ensure that your lyrics make sense to you and effectively communicate your intended message. This clarity will help listeners connect with your song on a deeper level.
5. Use Musical Elements to Enhance Narrative and Emotion
The chords we choose for our songs are constructing musical narratives that ideally support the lyrical narratives, and vice versa.
Align music with lyrics. Choose chords, melodies, and rhythms that complement and enhance the emotional content of your lyrics. This creates a cohesive and powerful song.
Explore chord progressions. Experiment with different chord progressions to create various moods and atmospheres. Consider:
- Major chords for uplifting or positive emotions
- Minor chords for melancholy or introspective moments
- Seventh chords for tension or complexity
Use dynamics. Vary the intensity of your music to support the narrative arc of your song. This can include changes in volume, tempo, and instrumentation.
Incorporate musical bridges. Use instrumental sections or bridges to provide space for reflection or to introduce new perspectives within the song.
6. Navigate the Crossroads and Endings of Your Song
Looking over the song when "the ink is not dry," when it's not all the way finished, can actually be the most exciting part.
Embrace uncertainty. Recognize that doubt and uncertainty are normal parts of the creative process. Push through these feelings to complete your song.
Refine and revise. Take time to review and revise your song, paying attention to:
- Clarity of message
- Consistency of voice
- Effective use of metaphors and details
- Musical cohesion
Trust your instincts. Listen for the "Aha! Moment" when your song feels complete. This often comes as a sudden realization or emotional connection to the finished work.
Be open to feedback. Share your song with trusted friends or fellow songwriters. Their perspectives can help you identify areas for improvement or confirm that your song is ready for a wider audience.
7. Share Your Songs and Grow as a Songwriter
Performing for an audience of ten people or more is how we can find out how our songs connect with the world, imperfect a science as it is, and sharing our art is part of a bigger personal and overall human experience than we have when we keep our songs to ourselves and our pets.
Embrace performance opportunities. Share your songs through:
- Open mics
- Song circles
- Live performances
- Online platforms
Learn from audience reactions. Pay attention to how audiences respond to your songs. This feedback can inform your future songwriting and help you understand which elements resonate most strongly.
Collaborate and learn. Engage with other songwriters through:
- Songwriting retreats
- Workshops
- Collaborative writing sessions
Balance artistry and commerce. As you share your music more widely, stay true to your artistic vision while being open to opportunities for growth and exposure.
Remember that songwriting is a journey of continuous learning and improvement. Embrace the process, stay open to new experiences, and keep writing songs that matter to you.
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FAQ
What's "How to Write a Song that Matters" about?
- Purpose of the book: "How to Write a Song that Matters" by Dar Williams is a guide for aspiring songwriters to create meaningful songs. It focuses on the process of songwriting from inspiration to completion.
- Author's experience: Dar Williams shares her personal experiences and insights from her career as a singer-songwriter, offering practical advice and creative exercises.
- Songwriting process: The book covers various aspects of songwriting, including finding inspiration, developing lyrics, and understanding musical structure.
- Community and collaboration: It emphasizes the importance of community, collaboration, and sharing songs with others to enhance the creative process.
Why should I read "How to Write a Song that Matters"?
- Inspiration for songwriters: The book provides inspiration and practical advice for both novice and experienced songwriters looking to deepen their craft.
- Comprehensive guide: It offers a comprehensive look at the songwriting process, from initial inspiration to bringing a song into the world.
- Personal growth: Readers can gain insights into personal growth and self-expression through songwriting.
- Community building: The book highlights the importance of community and collaboration in the creative process, encouraging readers to connect with other songwriters.
What are the key takeaways of "How to Write a Song that Matters"?
- Inspiration is key: Finding and nurturing inspiration is crucial to writing songs that matter. The book provides techniques for courting inspiration.
- Voice of the song: Understanding the "Voice" of a song helps guide its narrative and structure, making it more authentic and impactful.
- Balance of form and message: The relationship between a song's form and its message is essential for effective storytelling.
- Community and feedback: Engaging with a community of songwriters and seeking feedback can enhance the songwriting process and lead to more meaningful songs.
How does Dar Williams suggest finding inspiration for songwriting?
- Poetic thinking: Williams encourages thinking poetically about everyday words and experiences to find inspiration.
- Courting inspiration: She suggests deliberately setting aside time to explore poetic thinking and to look at the world from different angles.
- Artist dates: Inspired by Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way," Williams recommends setting aside time for activities that inspire creativity, such as visiting museums or taking nature walks.
- Listening for clues: Paying attention to small phrases or melodies that come to mind can provide clues for developing a song.
What is the "Voice of the song" according to Dar Williams?
- Overall feel: The "Voice" of a song refers to its overall feel, tone, and narrative perspective.
- Guiding the narrative: It helps guide the song's narrative, including the choice of narrator and point of view.
- Consistency: Maintaining a consistent Voice throughout the song ensures that the lyrics and music align with the intended message.
- Flexibility: While the Voice can develop and change, it should remain true to the song's core themes and emotions.
How does Dar Williams approach the relationship between form and message in songwriting?
- Interplay of form and message: Williams emphasizes that the form of a song can inform its message and vice versa, creating a dynamic interplay.
- Listening process: Songwriting is a hearing and listening process, where both form and message guide each other.
- Exploration of form: Starting with form can lead to discovering the message, allowing the songwriter to feel the possibilities before defining the narrative.
- Message-driven approach: Alternatively, focusing on the message can shape the form, ensuring that the song's structure supports its thematic content.
What advice does Dar Williams give for writing lyrics?
- Word choice: Williams highlights the importance of choosing precise, beautiful, and interesting words to enhance the song's mood and narrative.
- Rhyme exploration: She suggests using the alphabet to explore potential rhymes, allowing for creative word associations.
- Avoiding clichés: While clichés can be used effectively, Williams advises against relying on them unless they serve the song's authenticity.
- Phrasing and emphasis: Proper phrasing and emphasis ensure that lyrics fit the song's rhythm and convey the intended meaning.
How does Dar Williams suggest using chords in songwriting?
- Chord houses: Williams introduces the concept of "chord houses," where chords live in harmonious groups or keys.
- Chord variations: Exploring different chord variations and voicings can add emotional depth and narrative weight to a song.
- Experimentation: She encourages experimenting with chords by altering finger placements or borrowing chords from neighboring keys.
- Musical narrative: Chords play a crucial role in constructing the musical narrative, supporting the song's lyrical content.
What role does community play in Dar Williams' songwriting process?
- Song circles: Williams emphasizes the value of song circles, where songwriters share their work and receive feedback in a supportive environment.
- Collaboration: Collaborating with other musicians can enhance creativity and lead to new musical ideas.
- Feedback: Constructive feedback from trusted listeners helps refine songs and ensures they communicate effectively.
- Shared experiences: Engaging with a community of songwriters provides inspiration, motivation, and a sense of belonging.
What are some of the best quotes from "How to Write a Song that Matters" and what do they mean?
- "I play to work, I work to play": This quote reflects Williams' approach to songwriting as a playful and exploratory process that requires both effort and enjoyment.
- "The ear leads the song, and the song leads the ear": It highlights the reciprocal relationship between listening and creating, where both guide the development of a song.
- "We are the gods of time and space": This emphasizes the songwriter's power to manipulate time and space within a song, allowing for creative freedom and expression.
- "Did you really go there?": This question challenges songwriters to ensure their songs authentically capture the experiences and emotions they aim to convey.
How does Dar Williams address the challenges of finishing a song?
- Crossroads of doubt: Williams acknowledges the moments of doubt that arise when nearing the completion of a song and encourages perseverance.
- Aha! Moment: She describes the "Aha! Moment" as the point where the song's purpose becomes clear, often accompanied by a sense of emotional recognition.
- Revisiting the beginning: Revisiting the song's opening lines can ensure they effectively engage the listener and align with the song's overall message.
- Final adjustments: Making small adjustments, such as changing a single word, can significantly impact the song's clarity and impact.
What is Dar Williams' perspective on the commercial aspects of songwriting?
- Buzz vs. hype: Williams distinguishes between natural excitement (buzz) and manufactured excitement (hype) in the music industry.
- Balancing art and commerce: She believes it's possible to write songs for both love and money, as long as the artistic vision remains intact.
- Avoiding compromise: Williams advises against compromising artistic integrity for commercial success, emphasizing the importance of staying true to one's creative vision.
- Audience connection: She values the connection with audiences and believes that honest, meaningful songs resonate more deeply with listeners.
Review Summary
How to Write a Song that Matters is highly praised for its accessible approach to songwriting. Readers appreciate Williams' personal anecdotes, relatable examples, and emphasis on creativity over rigid rules. The book is lauded for its insights into the songwriting process, from inspiration to performance. Many reviewers found it helpful regardless of their musical background. Some noted its focus on acoustic folk-style songwriting, while others highlighted its broader applicability to various creative pursuits. Overall, readers found the book inspiring, affirming, and full of practical advice.
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