write music

Not a lyric since that seminar. Not even one word.

I received a book for my birthday called Jazz ABZ, by Wynton Marsalis. It contains poetry written by him about 26 legendary musicians, with illustration by Paul Rogers. I would love to write music to some of the poetry, particularly the one about Billie Holliday. I wonder how legal that is?

I attended a lyric writing seminar over the weekend, given by Pat Pattison, of Berklee College of Music, Boston. It made so much sense, and has opened my eyes. The most important lesson I learned:

I must commit to being a writer.

It didn’t ever occur to me! I thought I was a musician who occasionally might write something. I suppose that’s because if I actually owned the label “writer”, my work would determine what kind of writer I was, ie, “crap writer”, “inconsistent writer”, “writer who is full of absolute bollocks.” Otherwise I could just disown it, and say, well it’s alright that my work isn’t great, because I’m not really a writer.

I’ve gotta stop worrying about writing good music. I’ve just gotta write, get everything out on paper (or screen), for hours, and hope to like something that comes out. If not, back to the drawing board. I might find new meaning in what I’ve written later.