Paul McCartney & Michael W Smith

[reverbbb]

How come those guys are so melodic? They have a natural ability to develop a clever melody at the drop of a hat.

Example: I watched a Paul McCartney special about 1-1/2 ago. He used his daughter as the interviewer. They showed some old family clips throughout the show. There was one where the McCartney family was on a family outing on a beach in the Caribbean or Bahamas (I think). Paul brings his acoustic guitar, of coarse. You can tell by the sequence of the moment, he just starts making up words and in a beautiful melody - just from out of no where. I have never heard that song on a recording. It was just a passing moment for Paul. Imagine the 1000's of passing moments for Paul that we have never heard?

I want to write CCM & PW songs that are melodic and interesting. When I was growing up, I would go to bars and around town and hear folks playing there original music. Nearly 100% of the time, I was unimpressed because of the lack of originality and melody. Even when they thought that they had a clever melody, you could predict that their song would never be radio material due to the lack of (dare I say) commercialization.

There are many artists and novice musicians that despise the whole concept of commercialization. I understand their point of view, but at the same time, their concept of "being an artist first and commercial never" holds them back IMO. Take Frank Zappa for instance. Brilliant artist, but far from commercial mainstream. Therefore, Zappa never became a huge air play musician like say Brooks & Dunn or Van Halen.

Now with MWS, it seems that everything that hits the radio is melodic. Perhaps in real life, MWS has his moments where things are not all that melodic. But if you have ever met truly gifted people, you would realize the reason they became famous. They truly are gifted virtually all the time.

So, does that mean that they were born that way, or they really studied their craft and became gifted? Was Don Rickles always funny? He has said that you need to find your formula and exploit that winning combination to the extreme.

Please provide some thoughts about this concept. I want to become a more melodic songwriter that inspires people to sing along. How do I get there?

[TheViking]

I just came out of the studio and got on the net to see what all you good brothers ( and maybe sisters) had cooked up this time. Being a part of this forum is a treat.
The question you raise is very interesting. "How do I become a writer of songs people would want to sing" is an important question. In my ears some people write stuff that makes me go wow what a songwriter. The songs reveals a lot of knowledge on music theory, may have brilliant chord progressions and even fine lyrics. But a lot of times this kind of songs just don't stick. Other times i hear simple songs with standard chord progressions and the lyrics might even be your average love, show know, flow kinda thing, but the song sticks.
When it comes to music I tend to think more and more that simplicity rules. Easy to remember, easy to sing notes put together, sounding "good" in my ears. If you are able to throw in some easy to remember lyrics, you have a song people will sing. The more I work with music the more I get the feeling that I want to communicate through it. When i talk with people I tend to use "normal" words so everyone can understand what I am saying. It's the same with music. If you want to get across you need to make songs people can get a hold on.
How do you do it? Obviously there is no 3, 6 or 12 step program that makes you a "hit maker". When I wrote stuff earlier I was very concerned about what the listner thought about me. I wanted my songs to show my talent and knowledge. When I write stuff today I want to communicate more than show off. What I make might be a mood an atmosphere or maybe even just a simple message built up by words or notes. I made myself some work tapes of songs i remembered either because of the tune, the lyrics, the vocalist or the orchestration. It is amazing how many of those songs are really simple. When I know I have to write a new song, I tend to listen to those tapes, not to copy what they did, but to have a humble approach to the craft.

[Pearly Gator]

Associate with artists. There, now you know. Smitty is the worship pastor/leader at his church. Oh, to get paid to play music..

If you are surrounded by musicians 24/7 it rubs off. Just like a good minister is someone who spends every moment in The Word and just like Moses' face shined from being in God's presence on the mountain.

Last July, I spent a week at Saddleback community church's Worship Conference. It was a week of worship lectures, and concerts. Hanging out with 3500 other musicians, singers and worship artists. I'm here to tell you it rubs off! 3500 Christian worship leaders under one roof is something to experience! (Can't wait for heaven, but I digress...) The third night, I went up to my hotel room and wrote 5 worship songs.

Write the songs that only you can write. Reverbbb, I think you are already there. Your stuff is great.

PG

[ptrallan01]

I think you are a pretty good song writer from what i've heard. I think your focus is to get better and you have been given two good suggestions already.

A question, how do YOU go about writing a song? Music then lyrics, lyrics then music, both coming at the same time, topic first then expression? Review these and be the best at them that YOU can be.

One of the ministers of our church writes his sermons out note for note, word for word and delivers them with no improvisation people love his preaching. I have ceased using paper and a good friend of mine told me to never preach from notes again. He's right! I stink with a piece of paper in front of me and will even bore myself :oops: !!! Each of us uses a different method of study and delivery but to one end, His glory. So it is with musical creativity.

You can study Paul or Michael or whoever's style and grow from it but inspiration and creativity are part inborn and part developed. The in born part is a strong desire to say whats on our minds. The developed part is the tool that we use. Try thinking of songs as movies or novels, or short stories, or plays and see if this helps.

Remember The Viking's advice KISS. I am amazed how many hit songs work of all genres work on I, IV, V, VI: Heart and Soul, No Woman No Cry, Crazy Game of Poker, Emmanuel, Jesus Be a Fence. Four songs Jazz, Reggae, Roots Rock, Funk, Country and all from those 4 chords.

Keep up the good work my brother and it will come!

Peter

[Pearly Gator]

Practice makes perfect. But on-the-fly makes art.

Lyrics run out after the melody like children after an ice cream truck.

Music is the art of thinking with sounds.

Nobody knows what a hit is. You just do what you feel.

I'd rather be remembered first as a Christian who played guitar and composed songs,than a songwriter who was also a Christian.

In your music, do not strive to write what sells. Strive to write the most accurate representation of what you are. You are unique enough to sell.

Music reaches where words can't.

Rock through adversity.

Making music should not be left to the professionals.

Music is the language that can only be heard when you get your own thoughts out of the way.

[reverbbb]

I have given this a little more thought today. I understand the message and the suggestions that you posted Pearly Gator. A lot of GOOD points and perspectives.

Here are some of my new thoughts on this subject.

Was it Paul that said if you speak in tongues and nobody can understand the message about God, then what is the point of speaking at all (severely paraphrased :oops: )? If I write Worship songs that are boring or uninspiring, then what is the message for then my peers? If I write songs privately to worship God, then it can be any art form because it is intended to show my heart to God. If I use that same art form and present it publically, then my art form can become self-serving if the audience cannot relate to it (assuming that I could care less if they relate to it or not - just as long as the "art" is presented :? ).

On the other hand, if I write songs so that I can encourage, spread the message, and invite others to participate, then these songs should be interesting and easy for folks to relate or sing along with. That is where the melodic talent applies to that I am referring. It seems like a thin boarderline betweenst inspirational or self-serving. The trick is to stay on the inspirational side and remain humble to the worship of God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit.

So, writing a "hit" song can be self-serving if your heart tends make it out that way. Or, it can be the most effective way to communicate the depth of your heart as it applies to worshiping Him.

[kewlpack]

Yo Rev,

Yes, it was Paul. 1 Cor 12-14 is the context. Good stuff, especially for P/W folks.

Maybe it's oversimplifying things, but constantly listening to quality artists within the scope of genres you want to write in would be a good move. It makes sense that we will draw inspiration from inspiring resources! :) (hey i need to write that down! Oh! I just did! 8) )

Some good musicians to listen to (and draw influence from) that you may or may not know of:

Keith Green (wrote tons of music and GAVE it all away for the most part).
Michael Card (not as pop, but deep spiritual messages).
Steven Curtis Chapman (eh... the king of Christian Pop, even though I don't think he wanted it that way)
Michael W. Smith
FFH
Chris Rice (I'm REALLY liking this guys stuff)
Avalon
etc.... etc...

[Thinking out loud] Something that might be worth considering is that most of the music put out by Christian artists isn't all that bluesy; rather it is meditative or uplifting and encouraging. That's not to say there aren't great bluesy Christian musicians because I know you and M.LeP. are both brothers I look up to. Maybe we can take the emotive power of blues music and bring it to a whole new level by infusing it with the light and life of Christ! What would we call it though? It can't be Christian "Blues" because we shouldn't be all that sad... hmmm... something with a positive sound is more appropo. [End Thinking out loud].

Anyway... I know we all don't wanna just copy what's already been done... however, if there is a "formulae" that works for our brethren then maybe it behooves us to borrow from it liberally when working to make a song more "catchy" and inspiring - and ultimately even if we sound like a bunch of drunk rats when we praise him, it is still a joyful noise that he LOVES!

Lord bless ya,
~A~

I forgot to mention that you will notice a distinct absence of fancy guitar solos in most Christian music. I wonder if this is because they feel that the message is the most important part of the song, and that a guitar/instrumental solo might detract from that emphasis... again just conjecture. My guitar teacher noticed this as we've been going through several songs I want to learn from.

[Pearly Gator]

Do you enjoy tearin' up the fretboard in a blues rock tune to God? It's okay. After all, it's God who made you who you are. Are your songs boring to you? If not, they're fine. :)

Psalms 33:3, "Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise." So go ahead and use every trick at your disposal. When you do it, keep your eyes on Christ and you will not sink. Our target is not a hit record. Our target is our utmost for His highest. So make a big hit for God. :D

Psalms 40:3, "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD."

Father in heaven, we come to Your throne because Jesus said we could. Please bless us with the talent and skill to build your kingdom using the tools in our hands. Just like You gave cunning and skill to the builders of the temple in 2 Chronicles chapter 2, give us the musical talent, cunning and skill to build Your kingdom through the ministry of song. We ask this in The Name above all names, Jesus Christ The Lord, amen.

"And the LORD said unto him, "What is that in thine hand?" Exodus 4:2a

[kewlpack]

Amen and Amen! ;)

[stephen]

I forgot to mention that you will notice a distinct absence of fancy guitar solos in most Christian music. I wonder if this is because they feel that the message is the most important part of the song, and that a guitar/instrumental solo might detract from that emphasis... again just conjecture. My guitar teacher noticed this as we've been going through several songs I want to learn from.

This is one of the reasons why I wanted to start this forum. First off, have you ever heard some traditional Jewish/Hasidic music? Those musicians are going off! They are putting their all into it!

Now, what would it be like, if MW Smith, just sang so-so, and held back, so as not to draw attention to himself? What it would be like, is the song would not be received by many.

There is a mind set in CCM, and P&W, that if you play the guitar, you have to be at best, ambient background noise at most. Now in CCM, I think there is a little more room to stretch out, but in the church, its like your under a microscope, and if you play to enthusiastically, your accussed of just showing off. And I think this flies directly in the face of "Make a Joyful NOISE, unto the Lord!"

Good topic guys!

[Crunchyriff]

Just browsing thru this thread, I wanted to address Zappa.

You have to understand that Frank did NOT want to be mainstream in the least- in fact the majority of his music was written in rebellion to commercial formulas and "normal" accepted frameworks of composition (not to mention the rotten lyrics of most of his material..).

Musically, Frank was a pioneer, and somewhat of a genius. He was a brilliant man who knew how to craft a song 'correctly' if you will; and went out on a limb to go against the grain.

It's too bad he had such a loathing of Christianity, and I wonder what or WHO turned him off to the cross- or if he was one who was just intrinsically & diametrically opposed to the Light ...