Sunday, October 22, 2006
WORDS OR MUSIC FIRST?
I've always been a lyrics-first kind of songwriter. I was a writer long before I even thought about writing a song. I have Terry Champlin and Helen Avakian to thank for that. Terry is a fine classical guitarist and Vassar College guitar instructor and husband of my pal Helen. They've done one beautiful classical CD and otherwise make perfect music together on and off the stage. But Terry's first gig of note was as house guitarist at the famed Woodstock, NY, Joyous Lake Restaurant. When I lived in the shadow of that town many years ago, it was not at all uncommon to drop in there late at night and find an impromptu jam by (fill in the name of your favorite sixties rock legend here). When there wasn't a billed gig going on by (fill in the name of your favorite sixties rock legend here as well) Terry would keep the joint entertained.
Fast forward to about seven years ago in Terry and Helen's kitchen. I had arrived early for a lesson with Helen who was at that time teaching me finger style guitar. Terry was chatting with one of his students about song writing and I was drawn into the conversation over crumb buns. "I don't think I could write a song," I injected.
"Why the hell not?" Terry was surprised at my negativity.
"Don't know, " I said," I've been known to turn a good phrase but I just never thought I could write a song." I believe "Bullshit" was his response along with a paragraph or two, the way college profs do when confronted with something they feel passionate about. Yeah, yeah yeah, whatever, was my attitude. Smart ass.
Some months later, with spring approaching, I asked Helen if she'd come to my school and play an end of the year gig. "Love to," she said and then pouncing, "if you'll play with me and if you write a song." Caught off guard I agreed but made her promise to write a song as well. She quickly agreed and I knew she already had one cookin'. I, on the other hand, had nothing in the pantry.
My Cathy, love of my life, provided me with material shortly thereafter when she very uncharacteristically got raging pissed at me for something I have no recollection of. That started what was to become my first song called, "The Part That Doesn't." I had to borrow from every moment of rejection I ever felt in my life but I came up with a lyric. Then I had to search for a chord progression that suggested a tune. I noodled around for weeks to come up with something. And that has been the way I've worked ever since. Lyrics first, chord progression that suggests a melody, arrangement last.
To do otherwise would feel like writing with my left hand.
Under water.
In the dark.
But I'm threatening to take the plunge. I have a young friend, singer/songwriter, Carie Pigeon. She got me playing harmonica. I got her to approach writing chord progressions from different directions than she was used to. One day I tried to get her to write some music for a lyric I had. It was like I asked her to pee standing up. But not as messy. But we were unsuccessful. She is, you see, a music and lyrics together kind of songwriter. And I've met hundreds of guitar guys who do music first and then are forced to come up with a lyric just to kind of give their fingers a break. You know, like that ad in the guitar mags, "Lyrics: boring stuff to do between guitar solos."
So I've been flirting with the idea of trying the music and words together approach just so I can work with Carie who has a sound I'd love to merge with. She will be heard on my next CD, along with Helen and possibly Terry and a bunch of other folks.
Then one of my most enthusiastic guitar students ever, James Braha, ended one of our marathon lessons by announcing that the next week he wanted to work on songwriting. He couldn't understand why, after having written five books, he couldn't seem to write a good song and he wanted my guidance. He was with me in feeling that it was lyrics first or nothing. And sure enough, he wrote a good lyric and we worked on using my chord wheel to come up with a progression that suggested a melody. We did that in one week of his lyric writing and one three hour lesson.
Now he tells me he wants to try the music and words together approach. No flies on James. He apparently sees something in the stars that tells him this is a good time to do it. So do it he is. I am now forced to work hand in hand this way with my student and friend.
Add to this my other extremely enthusiastic student, Heather. She is so bright and willing to devote the time to learn. She writes poetry and wants to start setting it to music. I'm delighted and told her to bring in some poems and I told her about my process and about the various tools I use including a rhyming dictionary when I can't come up with something or if I'm looking for a near rhyme rather than a perfect rhyme. "I don't rhyme," she informed me. We discussed some good songs that don't rhyme and while they are not commercial, they are, never the less, terrific songs. I think there may be a trick to writing a very good non-rhyming song so I'm hunting around in that direction now too.
This is why I love teaching so much. If you can't learn something while you're teaching, you're just phoning it in. Kind of like most of my high school and college profs.
James and his wife Vashti, who is also my student, and Heather all came to dinner recently to sample Cathy's latest food project: raw food. It's all vetetables and we had amazing stuff like pesto and chocolate mouse. They were enthusiastic and loved it. Clearly, not everybody I know would even show up for such an event. In fact, when Cathy came home one day from Whole Foods to announce with great zeal that she had taken a class in raw foods, I was not initially impressed. "You want to eat raw," I said, "eat me." But I was to swallow my words upon her first demonstration. The stuff is actually excellent.
She has since taken several other courses in raw food preparation. I'm not about to go totally raw but it's a terrific supplement to my already austere no fat diet. People concerned with cancer should do this as it is believed that cancer can not live in an alkaline environment. Raw food is far more alkaline than cooked. Anybody finds any cancer cells in me and this boy becomes a virtual rabbit, I'm telling you. I'll do whatever else the doctor says in that case but I'll also be a walking Alkaselzer.¨
The studio construction limps forward. The AC installers tried to pull one of those, "I'll finish the week after next" scams on me but my general contractor told them to get their attic crawling asses back here this Monday. As opposed to some Monday on the calendar. Then it's drywall time. The cabinets are designed and ordered and the flooring likewise. This Christmas is a distinct possibility for moving in to that space.
Updates to follow.
Have a splendid week, everybody.
posted by Bud @ 2:38 PM
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