Sunday 14 September 2014

Charles Jenkins "How to write a song"

Writing a song can't be that hard right?  Even if you cannot play an instrument or read music you can write lyrics, hum a tune.  After all thousands of people do it all the time.

Of course this isn't the case, and writing for listening can be just as challenging as other forms.

"It takes an enormous amount of effort to make something seem effortless", Charles says during this workshop, but he also says that "the way to start writing songs is to start writing songs.  Don't wait for inspiration".

Got it.  Just write, there's that advice again, deceptively simple.

Involved in this workshop were primary and secondary students, some local, some travelling from a couple of hours away, as well as the WiA 'kids', and all there were in for a real treat.  Not only was it a fun interactive experience, it was a real treat to see a man break down the barriers of communication.  I am not sure that I have ever seen a more engaged group of students, who enthusiastically got involved in what was asked.


Jenkins broke the ice by telling the audience of his own journey as a musician and writer, with a few chuckles to start it all off.  Then the crowd was into it - writing a song.  Each audience member needed to contribute just one word and Jenkins would write a song.  There were a few curly words, a lot of laughter, but the result was a nonsensical and fun jingle.

Next was more difficult, groups providing rhyming couplets, but everyone once again got involved and there were some pearlers provided to make up the song.  And it was a fun little song.

Of course Jenkins still made it look all so easy, but reminded everyone that to be a good songwriter takes time.  To master writing lyrics one must read lots, and to master a melody one must listen lots.  And maybe learn an instrument or two.  And when you are struggling to finish a song you have started?

"The answer to your song is in our song".

Simple....

2 comments:

  1. I hope it's cool with you that I just posted this on Charles' facebook page Sarah. I think it deserves a wider readership :-)

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