Brushing Lyrics
by Bob Boyes
Brushing lyrics isn't probably what you think, although all art is a wonderful thing to create. This also could be the name of a song, which inturn, gives off all kinds of possibilities: metaphors, angles, to spark instantly that flash of an idea to work on.
SUCCESS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS
If you're starting out on the art of Songwriting, whatever age you may be-is a joy to create although do expect disappointments. Especially if you're hoping to make a living out of the music business. As you could just be Brushing lyrics with other Songwriters' that have achieved success. But with hard work, a bit of luck, right time, anything is possible.
CASTING OUT BAD HABITS
Always check your work over in detail. It can, and probably will determine how publishers, artist management, perceive your latest catchy tune cast away bad habits as quickly as you can, by always checking your work, as I've just mentioned. Because you'll be surprised how you probably will rewrite your lyrics, again and again: from changing words that fit better, to swapping lines around for a lyric to flow-so choose your words carefully.
STRUCTURE
That's another story for another essay...
LYRICS AND INSTRUMENTS
If you're a pure lyric writer, and you don't play a musical instrument, it's a good idea to join a guild of songwriters to collaborate with composers, as some Composers'will be looking for lyricists. As you will find that not everyone can be a one man band so to speak like in life, everybody needs somebody.
And, if anything materializes from the collaboration - so does a 50/50 split in royalties.
Anyway, getting back to the sounds of creativity. If you do receive head melodies, I would strongly recommend that you invest in a acoustic guitar or keyboard. This way you could really progress your lyric writing to the next level, as an acoustic is a very versatile instrument... or keyboard... or both perhaps...
When I hear D major chord (rock chord) or a pleasant C major chord to the sadness of E minor, lyric lines start to form in my head. Vocals start moving to make tunes of possibilities-up and down of the frets of my guitar's neck. Also, a capo a very useful bit of kit to change the sound of key chords and vocal pitch. It's amazing what six strings can do.
As I have already touched upon, if you are an absolute beginner, online, books, or tutor (face-to-face) are all avenues - from A to B. Also, being self-taught, this can probably be difficult, unless you're a born natural "Just one of those people who pick things up quickly!"
FINAL THOUGHTS FOR NOW
I have covered the outskirts on this topic; there is so much more to be explored on the insides. As I alluded to you about structure: it can be joy it can be pain when trying to get it right. But practice makes perfect - so they say, whoever they are.
Yes, everything has a structure, for the yin and yang to flow fluently: Rhyme schemes, syllables, bars, not drinking bars. But it sounds good: consonants, vowel sounds, meter, stressed/unstressed syllables.
Patterns form rhythm and rhyme. Adjectives are used alot to describe the noun. Action verbs form powerful images of story telling. Be careful of the dreaded run on sentence. Different length lines, how many lines in verse, chorus and Bridge/middle eight? - if used (many songs do and don't.) A riff, a solo, instrumental etc.
So my final thoughts for now: it can be overwhelming to a mere novice but with patience, time will improve your abilities to nurture your talents guidance, helps alot but what you do and say will show in the end.
Structure? Yes, yes, yes - it really does matter.
Bye for now, that yes, yes, yes. Has given me an idea for a song yes, sometimes it is just that light bulb moment.
Find Bob's lyrics here: https://www.premiumlyrics.com/en-eu/lyrics/artist/bob-boyes
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