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I don’t know the “rules” of songwriting. I never studied them. I couldn’t tell you how a bridge is supposed to fit, or what the books say about rhyme schemes. And yet, I’ve written over 250 songs — each one in five minutes or less.
Here’s the truth I’ve discovered:
Songs don’t come from rulebooks.
S...
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The Stage 32 August Open House is happening this Wednesday, and it’s completely free for any new or current Stage 32 members to attend! This is a fantastic opportunity for creatives to learn how to get the most out of the platform, ask questions live, and take part in a posting challenge where one w...
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I’ve been listening back to two of the songs I wrote today, and it’s interesting how different they hit me.
Yay Yay Yo is pure fun — a tune I can play again and again and still laugh at the insanity of it. Music needs joyrides like that.
But Ain’t Gotta Worry… that one’s something else. Every time I...
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My songwriting process is a mystery even to me.
When a song arrives, I don’t stop to think about genre. I just write it out as fast as it comes. The words pour in, and my only job is to catch them before they vanish.
It’s only after the dust settles that I look back and realize:
“This one needs to be...
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This is such a beautiful reflection on the creative process, Wyman Brent, thank you for sharing it. There’s something really powerful about your ability to listen to the song as it comes, rather than...
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Ashley Renée Smith!, thank you so much. I know this may sound odd, but I really do not look for songs to write. I do not think that now I should write a blues tune, or dance, or jazz, or rock or whate...
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Very well said Wyman Brent - I'm the same way. And if I don't write it down fast, it's gone just as quickly as it came.
Have you ever had a song you can’t get enough of? One that, even on repeat, still hits you every single time? For me right now, it’s “Run No More” by Kaleo. There’s something about the mood, the vocal grit, the way it builds—it’s haunting and powerful in all the right ways. https://www.youtube.com/w...
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Maurice Vaughan Happy you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing yours, first time hearing that for me :) Very powerful.
Leonardo Ramirez That is so rough! Time does heal, though, despite it feeling like it doesn't sometimes. I'm glad you are able to listen to it again.
Kat Spencer, great choice. However, I must admit that two of my own songs No Lock to Fit, and Letters Without Roads keep me listening on repeat. I should make clear I only write the lyrics. I am not a...
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Thanks Kat Spencer - all is well now. And you're right - healing is a journey.
You're welcome, Kat Spencer.
I usually listen to film scores that I really like to help me get an idea of what I want to do for a scene. Once I do that I go my piano and just play with an idea and I've made some awesome and intense themes. What about you? What's your process?
I used to do this, but over time I started to trust more and more in my instincts, my empathy, and that the productions are hiring me for my particular perspective and interpretations. So, for me nowa...
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Brian Gunter I have a hard time not having an inspiration. Usually I think of how a story makes me feel then I find another film that makes me feel the same way and I listen to the music. Then I go to...
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Nakoa Cabatbat like I said, I don’t think it’s wrong at all to do it the way you’re doing it. I used to do that a lot too. All I’m saying is that moving away from that helped me find more of my own pa...
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I typically make a music playlist of cues that fit the vibe of a film I'm working on. I may drive around listening to it in my car and zoning out. By the time I'm ready to start writing, my head is in...
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Nakoa Cabatbat - I'm usually sparked by a lyric or title that pops into my head. I rarely hear melodies in advance, though, and usually just sit at my piano, and my fingers find where they want to sta...
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Hi fellow composers! I need your advice. I started writing a story for my granddaughter about 10 years ago. Two weeks ago I finally finished it, as a screenplay for an 8-episode miniseries. The story is about a girl named Penny. Music is her life, a safe place where she can hide from life and the pa...
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barrry@musicsupervisor.com. i know him and the site - great and knowledgeable guy.
I am very interested in helping with your project. Please email me with more info. divahopmusic@gmail.com
Been woodshedding scary movies and scores looking at what makes the scares truly scary (at least on first viewing). I ended up in the way-way back machine. So, here’s a shout-out to the spooky films OG Val Lewton, who just may be the originator of the false jump-scare! Here it is from the 1942 bange...
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Hi, Brian Gunter. My favorite scary score is the Jaws score.
Just putting a few quick thoughts together in hopes that all my filmmaker friends, and my fellow composers get a little something positive from my perspective and experience to help make your next filmmaker/composer collaboration go brilliantly!
Cheers all!
Thanks for sharing, Brian Gunter! Keep the tips coming, they're so helpful!
Thanks Ashley Renée Smith! , I hope it is helpful!
2. Does the music that first inspired you still inspire you?
3. After you have just composed your favorite piece of music (of all time), where would you most like it to
I have only been able to create music for myself so far, over 200 songs. Having said that, I know that many of them are more than suitable for placement in TV shows, fiilms, and performed live. And, m...
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I love the third question the most for myself now, cause I am now thinking about - I just released my new album (yesterday :)) and I am thinking about arranging it to make it as something real and beautiful for concert, cause you still can do everything if you can make live concert right :)
When I compose for myself, it's more intuitive, freer. Conversely, when it's for an album or a film, it's more structured because the music composed must tick certain boxes. As for inspiration, I refe...
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That’s a great question! When I’m working on a contracted project, my goal is to connect empathetically with the characters of someone else’s story. Finding that connection is a different process that...
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2 - One does - it’s a Romantic piece.
1 - when writing for specific piece -
It’s how the story and hit points come
‘Down’. Then doing best customer service with people involved.
This is a story that hits all the right notes, literally.
Comedian, violist, writer, and now filmmaker Isabel Hagen has never fit neatly into one box, and that’s exactly what makes her journey so inspiring. In this Deadline article, she opens up about her background as a classically trained musician...
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2 people like this
Seems I do the same- even with my driving.
- LoL
I understand- yes - it’s a flow when writing.
Kerry Kennard, evven with your driving? That is definitely one way to go with the flow.
2 people like this
I tend to let my songs come as they are, then give them a polish as needed.