tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672771289371555272.post8187112559015806899..comments2023-08-05T17:32:24.688+08:00Comments on my music haven: musings on songwriting part 1Firdaushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16510680989681638340noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672771289371555272.post-88609482374443806662008-04-19T23:50:00.000+08:002008-04-19T23:50:00.000+08:00Ivan - yes, i agree! but it depends on the motivat...Ivan - yes, i agree! but it depends on the motivations of the songwriter i guess. if the purpose is (1) then (2) wouldn't matter.<BR/><BR/>Lingfeng - yes, i agree too!<BR/><BR/>Jeremy - i have an inkling that because you admire the broadway composers, you are more focused on the craft of songwriting itself, and not limited by the performance aspect. i think that's great - the hard part is to find people to perform them! haha..Firdaushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16510680989681638340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672771289371555272.post-79915299606338618062008-04-18T10:46:00.000+08:002008-04-18T10:46:00.000+08:00Excellent article and analysis. I couldn't agree m...Excellent article and analysis. I couldn't agree more. This subject is something I've been pondering over for a long time too. <BR/><BR/>Personally I prefer to focus on simply the "composition", i.e. for anyone to perform, not just myself. I feel that when I write not for a specific performer in mind, I am able to be more liberated in my thinking, and I can write with no boundaries whatsoever, e.g. range, quality, style, etc. <BR/><BR/>In other words, the "composition" takes precedence over everything else. If I write for myself, I'm always thinking about how I can write within a certain range, or whether I have the "style" to deliver the song, etc. Too many restrictions. And in the end, my song is compromised to suit my own vocal and expressive needs.<BR/><BR/>So therefore, I always prefer to just "compose", rather than aspire to be a singer-songwriter.<BR/><BR/>But that's just me. Cos I'm a weak performer. Strong performers may think otherwise. <BR/><BR/>If I were a strong performer, I might think otherwise too, haha!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672771289371555272.post-84623219140734597352008-04-18T09:47:00.000+08:002008-04-18T09:47:00.000+08:00I would say it can be both, i.e. writing for yours...I would say it can be both, i.e. writing for yourself to perform and for others.<BR/><BR/>Maybe I'm thinking in the perspective of the Christian songs I write. It is a personal song, but then again, I also wish that it will be used to minister to others, you know, encourage others.<BR/><BR/>I know, sometimes it's difficult as you wish to have your song performed in a certain way, but then you've got to struggle with accepting another person's style.<BR/>It's like adaptations.<BR/><BR/>It really depends lah. If you're a good singer, then why shouldn't you write for yourself!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672771289371555272.post-14628406451973546142008-04-18T03:07:00.000+08:002008-04-18T03:07:00.000+08:00What you've written makes sense. You're suggesting...What you've written makes sense. You're suggesting there are different levels of "being a songwriter": (1) writing to perform it yourself and (2) writing for others to perform. <BR/><BR/>Level 2 obviously requires higher skills, because you have to go beyond merely writing a song, but writing it with the specific characteristics of other singers in mind.Ivan Chewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02727226573817276108noreply@blogger.com