Song Critiques: How to Take A Punch to the Gut
By Dave Byers | October 1, 2007
As writers we love to get other people’s opinion of our songs.
Usually we finish a new song, and we’re so proud of it, we want everybody to hear it and get excited too, so they can celebrate our greatness and lavish praise on us of how wonderfully talented we are.
Asking for feedback will usually get you one of two things:
- An honest critique
- A sugar-coated critique
This may seem obvious, but the truth is that many writers never reach their full potential, because they (1) get their feelings hurt from a negative critique; and (2) they wallow in mediocrity because they never got honest, constructive feedback.
Interview with Alan Silvestri
By John Braheny | September 30, 2007
Alan Silvestri is an Academy Award nominated film score composer. He is best known for his numerous collaborations with director Robert Zemeckis, having scored Forrest Gump, the Back to the Future trilogy, Contact, Cast Away, Romancing the Stone, and The Polar Express. Aside from his collaborations with Zemeckis, Silvestri is known for his work in the films Predator and Predator 2.
I interviewed film composer Alan Silvestri for the LASS Musepaper in March 1991. It turned out to be one of the best for Alan’s wonderful ability to articulate his process in scoring films.
Songwriting 101: Song Meter
By Dave Byers | September 29, 2007
Let’s discuss song meter and how that affects your writing.
We know that each line in verse one needs to match the same line length in the other verses. But have you ever written a song and had to squeeze in words really fast to make them fit? Then later, you decide that it just didn’t sound right?
You’re not alone, because there’s a subtle little trick you can use to that will transform any poorly-written line into a catchier, more distinguished lyric.
Songwriting 101: Using Rhyme to Your Advantage
By Dave Byers | September 29, 2007
Rhyme is a wonderful tool to aid in your songwriting when it’s used properly.Your songs do not have to rhyme, but the vast majority of successful songs do. Regardless of the style of music you write, rhyme is one of the most important tools in your toolbox.
Be careful though because cliché, boring, predictable rhymes can ruin any song.
