WorshipTraining

Reflect on what you learned about songwriting in Week 1.

Is there any one area with which you struggle as a songwriter, or you find is a particular area of weakness for you? How could what you’ve learned strengthen you in this area as you write Draft 1 of your song? (Quote books or media as needed).

Please keep your post to under 20 lines of text.

@dpierce

Dawn,

I can’t help but believe you have a wealth of ideas to draw from too. Think about it! Think about all the ways HE’s touched, spoken to you, mended your wounds, held your hand, affirmed you, loved you, understood you and desired fellowship with you.

Think about all the times HE rescued you from that which is not even seen, that which is waiting to devour you, that which is dark, lonely, painful, caustic and dry. Think of the verses HE’s given you to get you through those humps in time, when your body felt as though you couldn’t take one more step, when your mind told you, nobody cares…

Maybe I shouldn’t use the word, ‘think’. Maybe ‘meditate’ is a better word. Meditate is what we are asked to do in Scripture. GOD Meets us n those moments of meditation, moments that in one application are actually journeys down memory lane. During those times when we contemplate the serious ways HE has communicated to us in a way no human being has the power to do, those are the contemplations that produce fruit for the sharing. In the Old Testament GOD Instructed HIS People to remember the things HE had done then to tell others, generations that didn’t see, and hadn’t experienced HIS GREATNESS. Songs do this joyfully.

The songs are there Dawn. I know this. HE PLACED a mountain of gathered experiences HE has shared with you and imparted inside you… You probably won’t even have to dig very deep, Beloved. Just listen to HIM as HE reminds you of all I am asking you to recall. Listen and write down the words He stirs to life in you.

You will not only be amazed at His Wondrous Love shown to you in the past, but the MAGNIFICENT WAYS HE longs to meet us as we recall HIS GOODNESS, HIS GLORY, HIS MERCY, HIS BEAUTY!

I believe you have so many stories and songs, inspirational and profound precepts to share with us all, that the only thing stopping you is your lack of faith in ‘your ability to do so’. Perhaps, this is an ingrained fear, but Scripture says, Perfect LOVE casts out all fear.

Dawn, GOD’s LOVE for you is PERFECT. Meditate on it. You’ll fall in love all over again. When you do… tell us about it.

I pray this blesses you. I can’t wait to hear what HE Gives to you…

:)

I’ve never done a songwriting course before, although I’ve read one book on the subject. I haven’t begun reading the book selections yet, but am very excited to do so. Watching the media represented here has proven to me I’m not abnormal. I heard a lot of comments made that I’ve experienced during the writing process. And, I am far from perfect, but recognizing that is a common characteristic for artists, lyricists and composers comforts me.

If I had to pick out an area of weakness, I guess it would have to be having too many lyrics rolling around in my brain at once. As I contemplate the direction lyrics can move, I compose dozens of variable verses. Some I love, and may lose if I don’t write them immediately… or at least sing them out over and over, not allowing mutations into another variety combination to occur.

Drifting from one song idea to another is a problem as well. When this happens, I find myself being forced to choose which song I will complete. For me, songs are created within the parameters of a melody. They build on one another. This can be a weakness as well, since my vocal range is greater than my composition skills.

The advice given in this Course to keep to one theme is a method I have employed while working on my first/rough song draft. The suggestion worked well.

Important note: (May I say/ask: I’ve completed the first draft for my song. Where is the appropriate place to post it?)

I have never considered myself to be creative. Yet, we learned in Essentials in Worship Theology that we are formed in the image of God (Imago Dei). He is creator and He has passed on His creative traits to His offspring. I am coming to accept that I am creative, just in my own unique way.

When it comes to songwriting, I tend to be shy. I don’t want to draw attention to myself. As we heard from several contributors to the media, songwriting is a vulnerable process. But, I was reminded this week that it is not for me to decide what happens with a song. That is God’s job. His plans far outweigh my plans. I have choice. I can be a conduit for His glory, or I can keep songs ideas He gives me to myself.

I use the excuse that I cannot play any instrument proficiently to avoid sharing my songs. It is a handicap not knowing music theory, but God gave me a mind that is capable of learning. I found the section in God Songs (Paul Baloche and Jimmy and Carol Owens) explaining how intervals and chord structure/progression can enhance a melody and lyrics extremely helpful. It is great reference material.

My songwriting history started when I was 18 and I have been writing ever since. I have gone through seasons of great ideas and inspiration. However, I have experience times of drought.

My biggest hurdle in songwriting is sharing my songs with others. I do not mean that I am embarrassed of my creativity. I am addressing opinions. It seems that we live in an era of opinions. Everyone has an opinion about everything, but no one wants to step back and listen. Dan addresses this in “The Creative Process: From Plowing to Giving” video while talking about the distribution stage. He encourages songwriters to listen to the counsel of others.

I have my guard up for people jumping right in on giving their opinion, before they know the direction of the song. I think it just boils down to exercising vulnerability. I had a chance to exchange a song with Paul Baloche, and I am so glad that I was vulnerable. He gave me a different perspective that was helpful to see.

Since learning about the re-write process, I have thought of a few trusted friends that could help me in my re-writing.

Here’s the link to my first draft – http://members.worshiptraining.com/blog/creative/song-of-love-draft-1-essentials-in-worship-songwriting/

I can read music and I know notes and chords on a piano and can play it well enough to get me through a song at home only. I am not skilled to play anywhere else yet. I just picked up a guitar and am now trying to teach myself to play but I do not understand all of the chords and strumming yet.
I grew up playing a clarinet or singing but I never got not learning all the chords and thirds and intervals, and etc. so I got overwhelmed reading Chapter 5 in the Baloche/Owens book.
I normally write my songs with words and a melody that just divinely come to me. I write everything down then I pick it apart a bit, move stuff around, add here, take away there until I get it to where I think it needs to be and then sing it a few hundred times then change it again. At that point i sit at the piano and figure out what key to sing it in and what notes need to be played for the melody. I then add some chords that sound good. After that I have a few people listen to it. Then I ask my friend Jordan to play it for me in his guitar and I sing along. We tweak it and then I do nothing with it because our worship leader never has time for new songs.
Then I start the process over until I have another song sitting in a book. I am faithful God will use these songs some day to touch just the right person. Until then I will patiently wait on him.
I really wish for more time with this class in order to learn more. I feel a lot of this that I need to learn is going right over my head now with not enough time for it to sink in.

FALL 2011 COURSE SESSION BEGINS HERE. ALL POSTS ABOVE THIS ARE FROM MEMBERS OF YOUR CLASS.

PLEASE REPOST INTRODUCTIONS ABOVE THIS POST. THANKS.

Yes, the challenges we face in key areas of writing are able to be overcome, but often only to the degree we are called to write songs in a specific arena.

We’re making lots of progress so far. Way to go guys.

(If you haven’t gotten your initial ideas up yet, please get it up there so we can view it and respond).

Dan

@Kristen Belous … if you go to the creative exchange and click on the title of the song, there is a place right there to respond. You’ve probably seen that by now, but just in case you hadn’t…

@jensmith

Perhaps a digital recorder might help you? an iPhone? or …

Tape Recorder would do it too… as long as you can record your “something in your head”.