Mood: Sent on a mission!
By the title, you can probably guess what I’m going to write about today: songwriting; praise songwriting in particular. It’s holy music, Batman!
Many people like the idea of songwriting, and many take up the endeavor. But very few people actually finish writing their songs. Why? It’s easy to get discouraged, because, let’s face it: songwriting is hard, especially because you’re trying to create your own melody based off of lyrics (or the other way around).
And how do I know this, you ask? Because I’m trying to write one at the moment. So, here are a few tips:
• I find that it helps to pray before you write. For some reason it gets me thinking more about God.
• Try to make sure that the lyrics make sense. This is why I write the lyrics, then the music.
• The instrument choices should match the feel of the song. Unless you’re going for some irony in your music.
• Make it yours. Even if someone likes to listen to only country music, that doesn’t mean that they won’t write some pop or rock songs. Let your music be free from the labeling. Unless, again, you’re going for irony.
• When I write praise music, I like to use bible verses as inspiration. I’m currently trying to write a song for the Nativity of John the Baptist (I had an interesting conversation with some friends about John the Baptist), so I looked up as many verses as I could about his birth and the prophecies surrounding it.
• Make sure your songs have a steady rhythm to them. Many songs have been ruined because their rhythm was terrible, thus, they sounded like a jumbled mess to the ear.
• Have fun with it, and speak from the heart. The most heartfelt songs have been written and performed by those who have experienced the feelings about which they’re singing. But then again, that can make a song borderline sappy.
Sweet. God Bless you all.
Spiritually thirsting for more? Read Psalm 95:1-7.
In His Love,
The Jesus Freak Girl
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV184).
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nice this one is really cool!
I used to be suggested this blog through my cousin. You are amazing! Thank you!
Sure thing. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
A thought on having lyrics that make sense:
I read a book once, 101 Things to Do During a Dull Sermon. It was all in fun, but one point has stuck in my mind and become a game for me with all kinds of music. “Try to find the ‘drivel line’ in hymns, the one that sacrifices rhythm, meter, and sense for the sake of the rhyme.” Some songs just go for something that only vaguely rhymes. Now I will listen to songs and try to figure out which lyrics came first and which were shoehorned in to make the song work (sort of). The lyrically best-crafted songs have rhymes where I cannot find the “drivel line”.
May your songwriting endeavors be enjoyable!
Liz: I desperately need this book. Hahaha
Due to my schedule, I end up frequently attending two services in the same day. Same sermon. Normally I just spend one paying attention and the other studying Greek, but now I can find a way to live through the hymns, too! Thanks. ;-).
—The Jesus Freak Girl