write a song, and perform it

... my focus at the moment. It’ll come back.

It was more of an admin evening for an upcoming series of concerts, but in the second half members played songs they were working on and everyone was very supportive.

If I’m going to do this thing, this is the environment to do it in. Do I really want to put in the time and do this right now? Why wouldn’t I? What’s holding me back?

On Sunday 3rd May.

Wrote another disney parody for my school’s spring show and I performed it, but I still don’t think I can count this because the music and some lyrics were not original, but I’m getting there…

... on this.

The song I like are not the best ones to start with! I took in a couple of songbooks by Randy Newman and Ben Folds (two heroes of mine) and melodies I thought I knew were lost in the complexity of the notation. Unfortunately the role models I aspire to being like are talented composers who have distinctive styles. Also my teacher didn’t know them.

So we started with Andrew Lloyd Webber, which is a total cheese-fest, but brilliant to learn technique with. I am going to look at the RN/BF songs in piano on Wed though, to work out the chord structures so I can sing along at home and familiarise them.

I’m finding it hard not following a course book. I’m taking more responsibility for my musical development, but I feel a bit lost too.

To myself – I haven’t forgotten this. I am getting better at reading music, which means I will soon be able to write music. I’ve bought the leads to link the piano to my Mac, so soon I’ll be able to compose…

Actually I could compose now. I’m not because I have enough on my plate with writing a goddamn play by Dec 19th for my writing course :-) patience young Jedi…

I’ve been performing for years, but never with a song of my own. It’s always a friend’s or a cover.

Here are mys steps:

1) write something I’d like to perform
2) record it
3) make a youtube video of it
4) find somewhere I’d like to perform
5) perform

Instead of an open mic (as well as?) I could write a song for the concert we give for family and friends at the end of the singing course. That solves a lot of logistical issues – including the band. I’ll have a band to perform my song! I feel sick just thinking about it. I guess it’s a challenge.

I’ve broken this down into segments (thanks weallareone!):

• Piano lessons to learn music and accompaniment
• Singing lessons to improve my main instrument
• A363 to hone my language and creative process
• Guitar – I’m going to dip into it as I fancy through the year

It would be just amazing to do this by the end of the summer term 2009 at an open mic. I’m really excited about this coming year!