Any Songwriters?

[wishus]

Are there any other songwriters out there? How do you introduce your worship songs to people, judge their repsonse, and deal with the fame? :lol:

(That last question was a bit of a joke, but I gotta admit that when someone tells me "that song was stuck in my head all week" it makes me proud).

[Pearly Gator]

Reverbb and I are both writers. I find it easiest to introduce new songs when I'm leading worship because I choose the songs. :roll:

The feedback is the hard one to answer. On Soundclick, you can watch your songs in the charts and use that as a guideline. I got airplay for one of my songs from a Christian radio station in Florida. It was interesting in that the song they picked was not one I would have picked. That in itself is valuable information and "educational." If people are humming the hook of your song after hearing it, that's a good indication of a winner.

Dealing with the fame? I have no clue because... oh, let's not go there.

Corrie Ten Boom was once asked about all the accolades she gets from speaking engagements. She said that she considers the compliments as flowers. She receives them and thanks the person. She enjoys them for the day and each evening she places the flowers at the foot of the cross.

Gary

[Crunchyriff]

I write- it's just what I do, like playing and singing. Any and all compliments I receive, I just direct upwards. It took me a LONG time to be able to be able to deal with these things gracefully.

MANY uncomfortable years.

I detest egotistical people- especially musicians. But you know what? God really dealt with me about this issue about 3 years ago. See, if someone flat out asked me "are you a good guitar player?", I'd choke... couldn't answer them. I was extremely uncomfortable, and wanted to crawl under a rock.

The Holy Spirit stopped me cold one day in prayer, and impressed upon me that I was insulting God... just out of the blue. Knowing who and WHAT I am without HIM, a million different things flashed through my mind; but still, I was mortified. I asked: "what have I done to insult you?"

"You insult me by not acknowledging the gifts I have invested within you, and they are in fact VERY good. I give nothing but the best. I know your heart, and I know how fearful you are of ego; but I expect you to give credit where credit is due, and to receive likewise. People 'sell their souls' to get half of what I have given you, and I expect you to gird yourself like a man, and to receive with grace that which is due, and glorify ME. Have no fear in this, I know your heart."

As I type this right now guys, that very moment is hitting me very hard as if I'm re-living it, and I'm being reminded of these things; and I share these private words from my Lord with you in the hopes that our Loving God will minster to you as well through them. That's what we're supposed to be here for anyway, right?

[MrMike]

Thanks, Crunchy!!

I was given a similar word, but mine was by way of hypothetical example.

Let's say that I had bought my wife a beautiful diamond ring (in addition to her wedding ring) and it was the very best I could give her. This ring is something I'm incredibly proud of, because it's an outward symbol of the deeper reality of my love for her. Now imagine that somebody notices the ring and comments, and she responds with, "Oh, this piece of trash? It's nothing." Can you imagine I would feel, or how you would feel in the same situation? I think that it's safe to say that we'd all be crushed.

Thankfully, God has blessed me with a Godly wife who would respond with, "Thank You!! Mikey got it for me- wasn't that sweet??" The point is that the acknowledgement of the gift is much more of a reflection upon the giver than it is the recipient. I've learned to be okay with acknowledging the fact that God has given me a wonderful gift, as long as I also acknowledge that the gift is a reflection of the love and mercy of the Giver, and not of my worthiness as a recipient. I also have to remember that although my gift may be more outwardly visible than some others, it's certainly no more important.

[Ascension]

Good stuff guys there is NOTHING I detest more than an ego trip.Back in 95 the White Metal Band Ascension I was in was on a westcoast compilation disk and we had a two record and video deal on the table .The Church we were based out of was devistated by a split and the Bass player and drummer stopped going to church and developed an additude and ego trip.I walked away from a deal and have done nothing but worship since . Yes I write for HIM what I write comes from personal experiances and most of the time is not published and is used for my personal worship times and only occasionally do they surface in public worship maybe some day that door will open and I`ll get a chance to share them.In Ascension however I was one of the main writers and quite prolific.

[seagullplayer]

There is alot of good stuff in this thread, you guy's are just, well not like most, humble, godly and gifted. To say the least.

I don't think I will ever have an ego problem when it comes to music. I don't play the guitar very well, even though I practice as much as I can. I will never be very good at it, I know that. I don't have a very good voice, nor a very good ear. God has gifted me with a wonderful wife that does have an ear for music, and sings like an angel. God has allowed her in my life that we may work for Him together. I'm a Youth Pastor who leads Worship it's an ends to a means. God helps me, I feel His leading and know He approves. But, I'm not gifted in this area.
The first song I wrote we still use in our P&W. It came to me on the way home from work. It was done in a matter of minutes, I feel I had very little to do with it. There have been more, not alot, maybe a dozen or so in the last year or two. The lastest was for last weeks Sonrise Service, I wrote it in about 20 minutes before I went to bed Saturday night. Many times the songs are about the topic I am speaking on, I may use it to end the Service when I speak. I am the backup to the backup song special for Sunday morning and evening Service, I usually find out I'm singing when I walk in the door Sunday morning. Pastor's learn to always keep a message ready, singers should always have a song, I try to have both. It is often that God has helped me with a song that week, and I will use it that Sunday, funny how that works out...

[Teleguy]

...I don't think I will ever have an ego problem when it comes to music. I don't play the guitar very well, even though I practice as much as I can. I will never be very good at it, I know that. I don't have a very good voice, nor a very good ear...


You only need enough technique to say what you want to say. Sincerity comes across better than slick musicianship.

I've written a couple dozen songs over the years. I used to blow off compliments with something self-effacing, thinking I was being humble.
But the word I got was that these people made an effort to tell me they appreciated something, and I was telling them they had no ears or taste!
Now, I just say "Thanks."

[refin]

[quote="Teleguy
You only need enough technique to say what you want to say. Sincerity comes across better than slick musicianship.

quote]

Another jewel from teleguy! :cheer:

It's true----a sincere simple tune wrestled with and written from the heart will go further than a song that has muscular musicianship but no theme,or a worn out generic cliche.

I have always written my own tunes for bands and projects,but recently we started doing one of my tunes at a bible study---it was an intimate situation and I had a case of the 'fleshies" ("What if they don't like it? I don't want the attention! They don't know how it goes...waaaaahhhh,waaaaahhhh..."). :-({|=
Turns out they liked the song alot,and I did have a few people tell me that they had that tune stuck in their head all week.God is a tremendous encourager!
It's tough to write tunes that others will be singing congregationally---you have to simplify the melody for common folk,and keep the pace strong.It's hard to write in simplicity!
.

[wishus]

Yeah, I agree with you guys about ego/attitude. What about introducing new songs? How many times does it usually take people to catch on? How do you judge when one is just not working out?


It's tough to write tunes that others will be singing congregationally---you have to simplify the melody for common folk,and keep the pace strong.It's hard to write in simplicity!

This is what I'm worried about.. One of my songs is fairly complex, musically. The verse is in F Major, the pre-chorus in C Mixolydian, to A Minor for the Chorus. It has a cool gypsy minor bit for the bridge. It flows really well, but I've played it twice and had zero feedback.

I know it takes time for people to learn new songs, but I don't want to be obstructing their worship by dogmatically playing songs that they don't connect with.

[Crunchyriff]

What about introducing new songs? How many times does it usually take people to catch on?

For these issues, nothing imho, seems more vindicating than the notion of using overheads or PowerPoint to get your congregation on the same page & on the ball real fast. I'd give the new song a few tries over the course of a few weekends.

How do you judge when one is just not working out?


I would gauge that to a large degree by and if the Spirit of God uses it, and people are wrapped up in worshipping God. IF so, the song is hitting the mark; and that is also part of my answer to the first quote as well. It won't take long to find out.

As a person in a congregation, if the song is what you would call "worshipful"; even when I hear it for the 1st time it hits me like a ton of bricks.

[seagullplayer]

Here is kind of how we introduce a new song at our Church, no matter where it came from.

Myself and five others normally lead P&W.
Anyone of us may bring a song to the table for consideration to be added to our list of songs.
Due to my limited playing ability, I kind of have a veto vote, if I can't play it. (The only instument)
Should we all like the song and want to learn it, it goes in at the next practice.
When we feel we have it "down", maybe one practice, maybe five, we use it in the next Service.
Sometimes we get feedback, sometimes we ask for feedback from a few people, maybe the Pastor. Sometimes you just "feel" the Spirit move and you don't have to ask anything. But between the five of us, we decide how often we use the song. I don't know that we have ever taken a song off the list, but we use some more than others.

Among the six of us, we are very honest with one another. I mean, if we don't like something or don't think it is working we say it. You have to have that kind of relationship on your Worship team. My wife is on the team, and she is very tough, if we can get something past her, most people really respond.

I guess I'm saying you should treat the song you write the same as any other new song you introduce. Give it a least the same consideration you would another song. God gave it to you, don't sell Him short on it.
It is very rare that we would say who a song is by during P&W anyway. Most people at our Church would have no clue I wrote a song for P&W or that they where singing it...

[prscustom24]

For these issues, nothing imho, seems more vindicating than the notion of using overheads or PowerPoint to get your congregation on the same page & on the ball real fast.

Another vote for overheads / .PPT.

Have never written a thing myself, but am in awe of you guys who do. I merely conjure a few breaks & fills for the songs of others.

[wishus]

It is very rare that we would say who a song is by during P&W anyway. Most people at our Church would have no clue I wrote a song for P&W or that they where singing it...

Yeah, I just introduce them as "You probably don't know this one..." My wife tells people, though.

I haven't played for a "congregation" in a long time. I used to be part of the worship team for the singles' ministry at our church. Lately, about once a month my men's group and my wife's women's group have been getting together in a home for a time of sharing, prayer, and worship. I play some of my songs then, interspersed with well-known ones. I pass out song sheets, for sure.

[Crunchyriff]

It is very rare that we would say who a song is by during P&W anyway.

Bingo. That is never divulged at our church, no matter who composed the song... I mean, yeah everything is done in a legal fashion (and it's getting very tedious nowdays for P&W leaders..) but there is no 'announcement' as to who wrote the songs.

[reverbbb]

When I introduce a song at church, my P&W leader encourages me to tell the story behind the song. Therefore, it is usually revealed that I wrote the song. Often, they make me sing it too :lol: .

Actually, the last few years of singing has been a real treat for me. No matter how much I dislike the tone of my voice, someone always complements me about the heart and soul that I put into the song. For me, if they are detecting my heart and soul, then they are being touched by the Spirit and not my performance.

So far, I have only presented 3 songs to our congregation. Each time, I try to tell about the foundation of why I wrote the song. Often, people will come up to me and say that my message hit them square in the heart.

I am always awe-struck when I see and hear people singing along with my songs. I contribute that to catchy and easy words that repeat. One song, I nearly started crying with joy because everyone was singing by the second verse and the chorus the very first time they heard it.

Just a different perspetive I suppose. MOMV.

[gracejames]

Hello:

I'm new here and I am also new at worship songwriting. To make a longstory short, i basically decided to give my all to writing worship songs. I had been in a couple bands and done some engineering/studio projects in the past, and it took me about 8 years to really come to this point. I have started to write and it has been amazing experiencing God in this way. Its great to be with others who are songwriting to God. I appreciate what i have read on these forums.

[seagullplayer]

Hello:

I'm new here and I am also new at worship songwriting. To make a longstory short, i basically decided to give my all to writing worship songs. I had been in a couple bands and done some engineering/studio projects in the past, and it took me about 8 years to really come to this point. I have started to write and it has been amazing experiencing God in this way. Its great to be with others who are songwriting to God. I appreciate what i have read on these forums.

Welcome to the board! Great to have ya!

[Crunchyriff]

gracejames- welcome!!

Jump in the pool, bro!

[gracejames]

You guys have any mp3s of your songs?
I plan to share some in the future. Need to rehaul
my site.

-j

[reverbbb]

You guys have any mp3s of your songs?
I plan to share some in the future. Need to rehaul
my site.

-j

Try this Topic:

http://guitaristsprais.forumsplace.com/message-8.html

I finally made this a Sticky post so that we can all go back and find it again. It takes me forever to find. There has not been much activity on it for a long while, so it migrates towards the bottom.

[gracejames]

Thank you sir. I will check out some of your tunes!

-j