Song Writing Tips - Common and Costly Mistakes

This is a true story of my band "auditioning" a song. I think it includes a few song writing tips that will help you avoid common mistakes...hopefully without you having to make them yourself.

The song to be "auditioned" was presented exactly as we had requested, with just a lyric sheet and a recording. The songwriter himself brought it to our band house, after we invited him to a rehearsal, to play it for us.

I'm going to just be honest and walk you through what happened...

Call it Song Writing Critique 101.

• I can't remember anything about the INTRODUCTION... except that it was long and told us nothing.

• The recording quality was pretty weak, but the groove was decent. (drum machine, live gtrs., bass, vox)

• The VERSE was non-committed, almost apologetic for taking up our time. Very "blue", depressed lyrics

• The CHORUS was strong. Words had a nice rhythm and he had written a nice melody for his hook. (Lyrics not memorable, though)

• Unfortunately, even though the chorus was good, it had nothing to do with the rest of the song... as far as any of us could tell.

• Next came a couple of nice GUITAR LICKS. (As you might suspect, the songwriter was a guitarist).

• We plowed through another "woe is me" verse. Again, mood is somber and sad...

• Played the chorus again BUT... this time with new and busier guitar parts.

• A new section labeled BRIDGE truly was just that... It took us to a new country on his song writing safari.

• We came back to a chorus and heard more GUITAR SOLOS till fade out.

Truly, a good list of song writing No-No's.

So, as we're all standing around shuffling our feet and digging for good things to say to our friend, most of the band remembered what their Mother's had told them, " If you can't say anything nice... DON'T SAY ANYTHING" , so they didn't. I had to speak.

Here's what I was able to say:

First, "There's some really nice guitar playing there, Fred"... True enough, he played some nice stuff!

"I love the colors you got there in the Bridge". Wasn't lying...he had found a great delay for one of his electric guitar parts.

"Cool mood... very mysterious..." True. I had no idea what the song was about.

"Nice Hook!" True again. He knew we'd like it, everybody did. Trouble was, he knew just enough song writing tricks to compose something to show off his chorus.

"That Bridge was huge, man". Yes it was. 10 guitar parts makes for a huge sound.

"Nice solo at the end there". Yep. Mission accomplished. Fred had thoroughly impressed us all with his lead playing.

All the guys thanked Fred for bringing his song in and complimented his playing. Fred went away happy, but we could not use his song.

This is not an exaggeration, and if you are "Fred", let me help you learn from our experience...which is all too common!

First of all, I understand...I have been Fred. I have written material to show off ME, rather than the song. Fred plays good guitar, but he supposedly was trying to give us a song to record.

I shared this story because Fred and all of us should remember the following Song Writing Basics!

1. Don't forget why you are writing the song.

If it's to show off your instrumental chops... great! But why not write instrumental music that showcases your instrument? Don't try to impress us during a VOCAL tune.

2. Who is the song for?

Fred's lyrics were so down-and-out... I'm not sure we could have gotten depressed enough to sing them.

3. A great hook does not make a song.

It's a great start, but you've got to get the listener involved enough to last all the way to the hook. Song writing needs to be strong from beginning to end.

4. An introduction should be brief.

Have you ever been to a program where all sorts of things happened before the guest speaker or artist performed? It gets frustrating... come on, let's get to the point. Music is similar.

** Please Note: You can extend introductions when you're playing Live! I am referring only to an audio recording. Big difference!

5. Introductions can and should accomplish several things.

"Ladies & Gentlemen... may I have your attention, please..."

• establish your groove
• establish your mood
• introduce some melodic element(s) that will serve as musical "hooks"
• subconsciously prepare the listener for something coming, either a verse or a chorus
• You've really only got 5 - 8 seconds to make a good 1st impression. Don't waste it!

6. Draw me in.

Talk to me and get me interested. Don't get weird or esoteric on me. (I didn't know who Fred was singing about, and very quickly gave up trying to figure it out.)

You've got to introduce yourself, talk to me, let me get to know and like you before you try to HOOK me.

7. Try not to overproduce ... especially your instrument.

Get some fresh ears to listen to your mix.

It's so easy to crank up your favorite instruments (YOUR instrument!), in the mix. I understand, but it's still too loud.

8. Don't go too long.

I know your song is the coolest "thang" around... but leave us wanting MORE. We can always press Play again. Keep it short.

In conclusion, put yourself in the position of a Recording Artist or Performer. Think about what they need...an audience...fans. Fans like to sing along and they want CD's and mp3s of songs: GREAT songs... Songs are a bands "business card". Songs are the product that a band sells, both emotionally and financially. Therefore, It is the skill and power of song writing that prospers the music business.

I don't remember the name of Fred's song, but it should have been "Fred Plays the Guitar". The problem was, we can't sell Fred... only HE can.

Help the bands. Help the fans. Help the poor, pitiful record companies. Help Fred. Help all of us by

• putting the knife to your Intros,

• Trimming the fat off your verses,

• connecting your Choruses to other parts of your song and

• STAYING FOCUSED!

When temptation strikes to triple the guitar part that weaves beautifully underneath the 2nd drum solo, save it for the Tag where your background vocalists can chime in together to show the world your song writing genius by singing...