FOCUS!
It's one of the most important elements of writing a song that will communicate to the hearts of millions of listeners.
One of the greatest deficits I find in the work of aspiring songwriters is that they try to cover too much information in one song. They may start with a Great Idea -- and they may even come up with a Great Hook/Title. But then, they get caught up in the PROCESS of writing and begin to "wander" from the central point of the song.
Remember: The thing you want listeners to remember is that ONE line of melody and lyric that expresses the MAIN POINT of the song. It doesn't matter how many beautiful poetic words you use or how much music theory you incorporate into your song. IF LISTENERS GET LOST, THEY CHANGE THE CHANNEL AND YOUR SONG IS GONE! The listener HAS to "get it" if you want to write a song that connects with millions.
The Hook/Title is your ARRIVAL POINT. It is the "focal point" of the song. Everything else about the song...the verses, the bridge and even the rest of the chorus has to arrive at the Hook.
You only have 3-31/2 minutes to get the listener from absolutely NO knowledge of what your song is about, to the heart of its message. DON'T GET SIDETRACKED!
Remember: You have lots of songs in you! You don't have to put all your great ideas and rhymes into one song. Keep your song -- and your listeners -- FOCUSED!
Keep your "eyes on the PRIZE" which in the case of songwriting is that ONE GREAT HOOK!
About Me
- Mary Dawson
- I describe myself best as an obsessive-compulsive songwriter. I love everything about the craft and the business of songs. No matter what else I may be doing -- writing articles and books, teaching, consulting or hosting my Internet radio show, "I Write the Songs" -- I am always working on a new song! Professionally, I have been involved in the music business for over 25 years. I am the president of CQK Music Group of Dallas, an umbrella company for a number of music-related products and services. My book, "How to Get Somewhere in the Music Business from Nowhere with Nothing," contains the answers to the literally thousands of questions about songwriting and the music business that I have received over the years in response to my Internet and print articles, my classes and seminars.
2 comments:
Hello Mary, My name is Joan Arthurs I enjoyed your articles, Thanks for all that you do, for songwriters such as myself. I do strive to write songs with a strong Hook/Title, that captures the heart. I am going to send you a few songs to be critque.
Thanks again
Joan
Hi Joan:
Thanks for your note. I will look forward to hearing your songs. Keep writing....
Blessings,
Mary
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