Are you a lyricist?

Neither.

SteveG wrote: A self conscious lyricist is usually not very good. Someone who identifies simply as a "songwriter" usually does a better job with conveying thoughts and feelings (even if that person solely focuses on lyrics) and knows how to link together both the music and the lyrics so that one compliments the other, instead of one competing with the other. It's a very subtle but important aspect of songwriting that most beginners or amateurs get wrong.

I recognize wisdom when I hear it ...by and large.

HackettFan wrote: Dayvenkirq wrote: HackettFan wrote: Dayvenkirq wrote: I used to write words and music, but I can't sing for  . But in all honesty, I've never written one decent song, mostly because I did not have a grasp on the songwriting basics (lyrical theme, melody, refrain, chord progressions, etc.). I haven't checked into the Composers/Songwriters Association and Improvisation threads in months. I might  never go back to that. So, I've went with Option #4. It was Option 4 for me too. I can't sing either. I enjoyed those threads, though. Don't stop. Duly noted. Right now beyond my extension of the key calculation method to modes I can't think of anything right now. I can keep experimenting with instrumental textures, but the problem is that I don't have good instruments and recording equipment, so my judgment of a product will be negative no matter what. Good ideas are usually quite expensive. Besides, I'm not that gifted for melody and form, so ... . Hence my writing block. Good ideas are expensive. Indeed.

Rednight wrote: Deep down, I think we all are. I mean, there's a great book existing in all of us. And if you place a roomful of chimpanzees in front of typewriters, they'll probably come up with the next great American novel. How do you like them apples?

Doubt it.

HackettFan wrote: SteveG wrote: A self conscious lyricist is usually not very good. Someone who identifies simply as a "songwriter" usually does a better job with conveying thoughts and feelings (even if that person solely focuses on lyrics) and knows how to link together both the music and the lyrics so that one compliments the other, instead of one competing with the other. It's a very subtle but important aspect of songwriting that most beginners or amateurs get wrong.  I recognize wisdom when I hear it ...by and large.

Dean wrote: HackettFan wrote: Dayvenkirq wrote: HackettFan wrote: Dayvenkirq wrote: I used to write words and music, but I can't sing for  . But in all honesty, I've never written one decent song, mostly because I did not have a grasp on the songwriting basics (lyrical theme, melody, refrain, chord progressions, etc.). I haven't checked into the Composers/Songwriters Association and Improvisation threads in months. I might  never go back to that. So, I've went with Option #4. It was Option 4 for me too. I can't sing either. I enjoyed those threads, though. Don't stop. Duly noted. Right now beyond my extension of the key calculation method to modes I can't think of anything right now. I can keep experimenting with instrumental textures, but the problem is that I don't have good instruments and recording equipment, so my judgment of a product will be negative no matter what. Good ideas are usually quite expensive. Besides, I'm not that gifted for melody and form, so ... . Hence my writing block. Good ideas are expensive. Indeed. Good ideas are free. Rick Wakeman tells the story of David Bowie inviting him round to his home to hear a new song he wants Wakeman to play keys on, Bowie walks over to a collection of guitars and picks up the crappiest one and plays the song. When he's finished Wakeman asks why he played it on that guitar and not one of the better ones Bowie replies that if it sounds good on this it will sound good on anything.

In that case I suppose I should have been more careful when I've made that general statement. Some good ideas are free.

Edited by Dayvenkirq - September 03 2015 at 12:51

TGM: Orb wrote: Rednight wrote: Deep down, I think we all are. I mean, there's a great book existing in all of us. And if you place a roomful of chimpanzees in front of typewriters, they'll probably come up with the next great American novel. How do you like them apples? Doubt it.

Yeah, first-of-all, chimpanzees aren't American...

I write lyrics, sing, play many instruments and write music and I'm very good at all of it.

I think I voted play an instrument but don't write lyrics - but actually I'm a play an instrument/sing/don't write lyrics person. Bass guitar is my main instrument, I can sing but prefer not to, and I do not write lyrics.

In fact, I find that I often don't listen to lyrics at all, or at most on an occasional basis. I know that there are many other people that focus in on lyrics, but I am not one of them. I actually got into a drunken fight with a friend - I said that I don't really listen to lyrics, he started going off that it wasn't possible to listen to music without listening to the lyrics, something clicked in me and I started accusing him of denying my very being by blanket rejecting my perspective and experience - it's funny, I had totally forgotten that until this thread started! It happened maybe 2005? so ten years ago, in Japan! The bar owner was a really cool guy, totally into music, and he was getting worried - it must have seemed like we were really fighting!

Even if there is a song I like, I have a really hard time remembering lyrics for some reason. I need to have them written someplace in front of me, so I can at least check each time I have a chance - I think I'm just a slacker and don't bother putting in the effort to memorize them - aren't there people that could easily recall lyrics? Maybe it's different when they are your own? But then, I don't write lyrics...