The Dread Pirate Cliché

No this isn't a blog about pirates. It's a villain far worse than that to the ports of songwriting worldwide: It's the dreaded cliché, and it permeates Christian music like the black death.

Love from Above like a Dove. Really?

You sneak the titles of Amazing Grace or Blessed Assurance into your new song. Oooh, that’s really clever.

It’s the number one problem with Christian music: clichéd phrases and ideas that have been used one million times. And it’s so easy to do. We have a basic truth, and Bible full of things that are so wonderful, and so marvelous. Oops. See how easy it is?

The funny part is we don’t even realize we are doing it. And worship songs have taken it one step further. Now we have “vertical” songs and worn out song phrases like “Lover of My Soul” and “Awesome God”.

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing inherently wrong with those phrases, or hymn titles, or even the Love that comes from Above. You just can’t use them in your next song! Sorry, no!

There are lots of business or success reasons:

1. The powers that be that can help get your songs out are sick of these similar titles and phrases, and they will throw titles like that in the trash without even listening.

2. Those of us who try to help artists will sometimes do something similar when presented with this material, or be forced to just put a shine on a tired idea.

3. The people you are trying to reach are also probably tired of hearing these phrases and clichéd ideas. It is our duty as songwriters to bring something new to their ears.

But here’s the biggest reason:

4. Doesn’t our God, the supreme Master of the freaking universe deserve a unique way to praise Him? Should we not put forth anything but the very best for Him? No more tired rhymes for the One who created us and everything in heaven and earth. No more boring four (or three) chord progressions that grate on the ears of anyone listening.

One of the best sayings I have ever heard (which is almost a cliché itself) is we have to find new ways of speaking old truths. This is the key!

How to Get Better!

1. Think of a New Way to Say It.

If you are talking about the resurrection, find a new phrase or idea that hasn’t been “beaten like a dead horse”. Writing a Christmas song? Find a new angle. Look for poetic means here. A lot of times these will hit you when you are thinking about or doing something else. An idea for a hook or unique way of saying something will come to you. (That’s where programs like Evernote are priceless, or just the note program on your cell phone.)

2. Quit Being Lazy.

It’s easy to use easy rhymes like love and above, or you and to. But folks there are a plethora of ingenious and interesting words to use for anything.

We tend to use words like awesome and amazing a lot. But look what the old thesaurus gives us just for the word amaze: affect, alarm, astonish, astound, bewilder, blow away, blow one's mind, bowl over, daze, dumbfound, electrify, flabbergast, impress, move, perplex, put one away, shock, stagger, startle, strike, stun, stupefy, touch.

Those are some great words to describe what God has done. Use them. Find a rhyme for dumbfound or perplex, and blow people’s minds!

All this takes is the decision to make the extra effort. I usually keep the web site http://www.Rhymezone.com open while writing lyrics. Just go to it and you’ll see why. Or you can just an online thesaurus, or just plain old THINK harder and longer on your lyrics.

This kind of detail, work, and imagination is what sets more professional and successful songwriters apart from amateurs.

3. Don’t Trust Your Mom.

It’s not that she’s not trustworthy, but she will like everything. And she loves Amazing Grace, so if you use that in your song it will be her favorite. This goes for spouses, other family, and best friends.

Seeking out stranger’s opinions is your best bet. Or go to your music pastor or local studio and get their thoughts. Ask them to be dreadfully honest. Sometimes it’s very difficult to get a real read on where you are with your writing as you may be in a small area and everyone knows you and loves you. They may not want to discourage you. But that isn’t always a good thing.

I had to come to Nashville many times and leave with my tail between my legs knowing the songs I brought weren’t good enough. But each trip, each time, I saw where the songs were weak, and it helped me get better as a writer.

So “get back to the drawing board”, avoid cliches “like the plague”, and take your songwriting “to the next level”.

See how easy it is? Arrrrgh!

Have a great week!

EC
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Eric Copeland is a succinct songwriter and industrious producer whose various organizations endeavor to help the Christian artistic sojourner. OK, that’s going a bit far, but blame the thesaurus. Soul of the Songwriter is presented by From the Moment Music, our Christian music publishing side. http://www.FromtheMomentMusic.com

Give Em’ What They Want

Recently we put out a call for songs. We were (and still are really) looking for an uptempo pop country song, and gave VERY SPECIFIC examples, as well as the EXACT Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler songs that the songs should sound like.

Of course, only about half of the 50 or more songs were even close to what we were looking for. People sent us ballads, they sent us backwoods country, they sent folks, they sent country gospel!

Attention songwriters: Yes, I know you love your babies, your songs that God gave you. But if a publisher or artist or producer puts out a call for a fast song, DO NOT send a slow song because it’s great and would be perfect for them.

If they ask for a ballad, that sounds like Celine Dion, don’t send a rock tune that you just write and tell them they can slow it down.

Give them what they ask for.

Like any relationship, first impressions are crucial.

If a songwriter send three songs, and the first one is not even close and it seems like the songwriter ignored what I wanted, do you think I am excited to hear the other two?

Also, when you respond to a song call, send an MP3 and paste the words into the email response. Or you can attach the Word Doc (DOC, RTF, or PDF files only, NO Publisher or other files). Anything other than an MP3 requires a special player. Anything other than DOC, RTF, or PDF risk the publisher or producer not having that format. That’s why it’s just better to paste your lyrics into an email.

I tell this from recent experience (like right now as I’m listening to demos while writing this!). So take my word for it, there are some submissions I just don’t listen to if the song starts slow, and I requested a fast song. Or of the lyrics are racy and I requested something a young Christian artist would sing.

So next time you submit a song to a song call or pitch list, remember these things and you’ll have a much better chance at success.

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For more about our services and opportunities for songwriters, check out our music publishing site at http://www.FromtheMomentMusic.com

Your Song Will Find a Home

(Important Songwriting Alert: Opps at the end of this blog for songwriters. Don’t miss it).

I think every songwriter has had the same fear. What if I die tomorrow and no one ever hears or is moved by the song (or songs) I have written? Especially Christian songwriters who feel that God gave use these songs to be used and to be heard!

For me that has been remedied somewhat by the songs I’ve been blessed to have other artists use. But I do remember that feeling. It would keep me up nights!

One day I got the word that a songwriter friend had pitched one of my songs to an artist doing an independent album. It was a small affair, with probably only a thousand or two CD made for a traveling singer-evangelist. But you know what? It made all the difference to me.

Suddenly, there were complete strangers hearing my song, presented by someone I didn’t even know. My song had a life of it’s own and I didn’t have to lift a finger! I don’t even recall if I got paid anything, but really didn’t care. I had a “cut”! A stranger picked my song (what I considered my best at the time) to be the first song on his album. Nice.

So, how do YOU go about this? I’m sure you’ve made some stabs at this before. Maybe you’ve had a few songs close, but for some reason, no go.

Well, there is only one remedy. Work harder. The songs won’t get played for someone by magic.

There are plenty of ways. Yes, you can use the newfangled web sites like TAXI, Broadjam, and other that have opportunities. These are legitimate ways. But there is nothing like some good old-fashioned detective work and shoe leather to get the job done here.

I know some songwriters who come to Nashville every so often to meet with their BMI rep, or whatever publishing contacts they have, just to show off their newest songs. It’s part of the culture here. People give you free time to show them songs (but not much time, and they will skip a song if it doesn’t strike their fancy by the 1st chorus).

Every free opportunity should be followed. See someone is looking for songs? Then ‘carefully’ read what they are looking for and send a song that fits that description. (But please, for the sake of all that is holy and just, if they ask for a contemporary pop ballad, don’t send a southern gospel country barn burner. Sending the wrong song just because your momma and you love it can burn some serious bridges! ;)

It’s also a good thing to have nice sounding demos of your songs. Badly recorded versions of you singing into a tape recorder at the kitchen table with Mabel singing in the background and the dogs howling doesn’t do anything for you except get you on the wrong kind of ‘best of’ collections.

Take time and spend the necessary money it takes to record quality demos of your songs. Are you a singer? Then use this as a demo (or better yet a master recording you can sell) of your own music. The best demos I have of my music are masters of artists who have recorded my songs.

Of course, you could always sing the songs yourself and get them out of an audience. No one will present them in your special way. and maybe if the songs aren’t translating to other artists or singers it’s because God had it in mind for YOU to get them out to the world. Many of my songs, probably 75% are really best done by me, because I wrote them in my style, which is kinda jazzy and not for everyone. Maybe this wasn’t your first thought when you began reading, but somewhere in your head you have thought “I might have to be the one who gets this song out to the world.”

In any case, to find a home for your songs, you are going to have to do more than surf and read, you are going to have to put together an action list, and go and DO. I heartily recommend action lists. Write it down. Start a text file on your computer right now! (Or read: write now!) Get down some steps that have come to you as you read this, and keep it front and center on your computer desktop.

I keep to do lists on all my computers, in my journals, and sometimes written by hand on my desk. It really helps us creative dunderheads who tend to flit from one idea to another all day and never really get anything done. Lots of ideas and nowhere to go.

There is a home for your song. God gave them to you for a reason. Shouldn't you make something happen this week?

If you need help, you can find us below...

Have a great week!

EC
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Eric Copeland is a producer, songwriter, and consultant for artists, writers, and those who aren’t quite sure what they’re supposed to be doing. His company From the Moment Music is the publishing and songwriter services arm of Creative Soul Records in Nashville, TN. After you have jotted down ideas on your new “To DO List”, check out the sites at http://www.FromtheMomentMusic.com and http://www.CreativeSoulOnline.com

Songwriter To Do Alert: From the Moment Music will be looking for songs on several projects in the VERY near future. To be part of that song call and have the opportunity for your songs to be considered, make SURE you are part of our Opportunities list. You can find this info at http://www.FromtheMomentMusic.com

Or you can sit in songwriting anonymity crying about your Super Bowl team that lost... and write a song about it!

Writing Real

One of the main problems I see for Christian songwriters is getting out of the church mindset, or Bible-speak in songwriting.

I had a hard time starting to write Christian songs.

My faith came first in my life, and then I started writing songs at 13. But writing Christian songs seemed too literal for me. Love songs were much easier (and much like my first car, a 1976 white Camaro, they were a chick magnet!...but I digress...)

I wrote a song or two when asked for church, but it always seemed like I was being sacrilegious when I wrote a song about God or Jesus.

Later in life, in my mid-twenties, I started writing for a Christian vocal group I was in, and started writing what I called “real, and sometimes sad” Christian songs. Songs that didn’t always have happy endings. And that’s when Christian songwriting clicked with me.

Yes, I’ve written praise songs and literal songs about the Cross and Jesus. But the songs that were about real things like dealing with real life sin, being afraid God would not want me, and how to come back to Him started to flow.

Most Christians who start to write songs, especially these days tend to jump into praise and worship: vertical songs that are mostly unoriginal, regurgitated from other worship songs, or plucked word for word from the Psalms.

Frankly, it is the hardest thing to teach in songwriters: speaking in real, conversational language about spiritual things.

Telling stories, and not just Biblical ones, is another hard thing to get writers to try.

I was on a writing weekend with the band Canopy Red in Tallahassee this weekend, and we talked about these very things.

On the way, I listened to an older Sara Groves CD, The Other Side of Something. There was a 2nd CD with interviews on it on how she wrote the songs; every songwriter reading this should listen to that interview.

If you do listen, you will hear her talk about the ideas, people, and real life situations behind each song. Every line is a “real” sentence we would say in normal conversation, or maybe in prayer.

Usually, as beginning songwriters we write something like this:

Oh Lord, wash us in Your blood
Cleanse each stain within
Help us in our daily fight
And distance us from sin

OK, sorry that was really bad because I just made up a quick lyric, but this is an example of alot of lyrics I get from songwriters.

We have traditional thoughts: blood, stains, cleansing, our daily battle, and sin.

I feel this kind of lyric in our current day does little good.

To a nonbeliever, for one it’s a little nasty (blood? yuck), and sounds so churchy, just what they have tried to avoid from religious nutballs (no offense...)

To a lifelong, or seasoned believer, it’s just boring. Yes, we know. Blood, stains, cleans, sin...etc. We’ve heard it for years. Tell us something that will stir our creative soul in a new way...PLEASE!!!!

But read this lyric from Sara Groves song “Compelled”:

What a relief it is to know
I’m a slave to Christ
Of all the masters I have known
I’m compelled to live this life
Free for you

I’m on the other side of something
I’m on the other side of something

I have a new hope that blows away
The small hopes I knew before
And at the end of the day I am yours
And I am compelled

You’ve written on my very heart
Where no man can legislate
The law of your love has taken hold
With your holiness and grace
There’s no mistake

I’m on the other side of something
I’m coming out the other side, the other side

I have a new hope that blows away
The small hopes I knew before
And at the end of the day I am yours
And I am compelled

I am drawn and driven, I am compelled
You have written it, I am compelled
You live in me
And I can’t help myself

See how freeing this lyric is? How appealing, while still talking about the compelling love of Christ, and how we want to live it each day is a real life?

This week as you sit down to write an idea, think of a real concept. Not something you’ve heard before or a bible verse, but a phrase or saying you heard in real life that might make an impact on both a Christian, and a nonbeliever as well.

It’s time to get real.

EC
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Eric Copeland is not anywhere as good a songwriter as Sara Groves, but he’d like to think he and his artists are getting there. Check out what Eric’s company Creative Soul does with and for Christian songwriters at http://www.CreativeSoulOnline.com

The Importance of a Quality Demo

I've been reviewing songs for a new CD we're working on, and I have to tell you from experience, your demo better be good to catch my ear.

Yes, I can hear a great song in a bad demo, but the problem comes when you have someone who's been doing this a long time (a producer like me or a publisher or established artist) listening to MANY songs at a time.

From song to song, the trend is average to below average production, and long intros, and bad mixes. It makes you want to move on to the next song, or at least fast forward into the song to see what the chorus does.

Now folks, I know we're concentrating on Christian songs here, but that is NO excuse to have a demo of low quality. If anything, God DESERVES our very best.

So, how do you improve the quality? Well, many times that means stepping up to a new level, and working with someone who has the experience and sound you need.

Now immediately your mind leaps to who you know, or what local studio you might be able to employ. While this is a step in the right direction, the problem we see here in Nashville/Franklin TN is folks spending money unwisely with producers/engineers who do not know (or care) about the Christian music industry.

It's not about a Nashville "sound", but that the music be of quality. Produced by and for an audience who genuinely cares about a quality product that serves the Lord.

Listen, when Chris Tomlin writes a song, he doesn't record it on a cassette and release it to the world. He doesn't sing it into a computer mic and post it on Myspace.

He brings it to his publisher or producer, and they carefully choose the right arranger, musicians, studios, producers, and engineers to give the song what it needs.

And guess what, YOU can do the same thing.

Yes, it may take a bit of investment. But do you really think that God gave you this gift to use as poorly as possible?

And don't roll your eyes at me songwriter, I KNOW you will drop $400 on Playstation 3 or get a $500 car payment you can't afford to get that new 2010 Mustang or take a Disney vacation you can't afford. (Wait, that's all me...sorry).

But you know what I mean.

The bottom line is it doesn't take alot to invest in taking your songs to a whole new level. But it does take a decision on your part to move into a new direction.

And this could be the way when someone listens to your song, they ENJOY it way too much to dismiss it, or "skip to the chorus" like some jaded producer who is impatient because he feels he has much more important things to do with his time. (Oh wait, that's me again...sorry).

Have a great week!

EC
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Eric Copeland is a songwriter, arranger, producer, and jaded demo listener. Got questions about your songwriting or how to make a better demo that can help your song get heard by a bigger audience? Check out http://www.MasterscoreMusic.com, our unique high quality service especially designed for Christian songwriters.

Just Write!

So what's my best suggestion for the developing (or old pro) songwriters Write more! Write often! Write now!

It seems we want to say we have writer's block, or don't have time, or don't know what to write about.

But there's a sure fire way to get things percolating...just write!

I know it seems silly, but the best cure for not writing is to...you got it: Write.

How do you do it?

Here's some surefire ways that help me.

1. Go to the piano and throw you hands down.

That's right I am advocating random notes. It won't hurt. And sometimes you might just hear something you've never heard before.

This works for guitar too.

Resist the urge to play the same chords you always play (yes, I'm talking to you!)

You have to DIG DEEPER. Since I'm not there to push you, imagine I or some other music industry person is listening. Try to hear music with new ears. What would be cool, different, inventive, melodic, quirky?

So try to close your eyes and just play a chord. Stretch your hands in a way you don't normally do.

Just trying this may open up new arenas of sound.

2. Write a story.

Just sit at your computer, or write in a journal. But come up with a story about a song idea you have had.

Then try to find a hook in the story, and develop that into a chorus. Write verses about the beginning, middle, and end of the story.

Sometimes just seeing the make believe land in detail can help flesh out a song.

3. Have a listening party.

I find I write what I listen to.

Want to write in more of a rock style? Listen to the rock you like.

What to make music like your favorite artist? Play along, or immerse yourself in their music.

We can't help but emulate! What you write will be your own version of that style, and may lead you exactly where you want to go.

4. VOLUME, VOLUME, VOLUME!

The more you write, the more chance there will something of real worth in your writing.

I tell new writers to do one thing: Write. ALOT.

Yes, it may get repetitive, but one thing that I see it does is teach form and push them to get better.

I have written hundreds if not thousands of songs in the past 30+ years, but I would probably not show you half of them. They were either silly, or half done, or ideas that never went anywhere.

But they were very important in my growth as a writer.

So, just write. Don't be afraid. The more you write the better you get.

Have a great week!

EC
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Eric Copeland is a songwriter who writes for artists on the Creative Soul Records and Creative Soul Jazz labels in Nashville, TN. His company Masterscore Music helps writers make amazing quality demos that really help the writer pitch and show off their music. For more info check out http://www.MasterscoreMusic.com

Fifteen Minutes

Everyone knows the famous Andy Warhol thing that everyone gets their fifteen minutes of fame. And to a point it’s true.

What people want more than anything is just for someone to listen and pay attention to THEM.

Especially songwriters.

I remember when I was green songwriter in my 20s (I’m not green anymore, I drive a minivan ;). The one thing I wanted more than anything was for someone to hear my songs in Nashville and just tell me I was good.

What I got ,and most likely what I needed, was criticism and “keep working at it, kid”. But all that did was make me mad and spur me on to be a producer and start my own company...

I find it’s no different these days as probably about a HUNDRED times as many people are writing songs and trying to be heard among the throng of independents. And many are still dreaming like it’s 1984 and they are about to signed to a record or publishing deal.

But in truth, what you need is to sharpen your songwriting steel against other steel that’s even sharper than yours. You need to take off your blinders, put a helmet on, and get your songs out there.

I harp on this all the time with artists. How will the world know about you and how will you ever improve without checking your skillz (mad or not) with professionals?

This does not mean your band mates who already think you are a prima donna, and since they don’t write, they don’t want you throwing your songs in their face again, besides haven’t they already told you that you rock, dude?

This does not mean your music minister. He’s heard them already and thinks you’re great. Although he still won’t sub any of your songs in for the standard praise and worship zombie nation choruses.

This certainly does not mean your parents. Oh sure, THEY are partial (unless you have really mean parents, then it could be the other way around).

No, you have to find pros.

You have to invest in your songs. You have to take the same care and creative power you put into writing them, and put that into finding folks to help you grow past where you are.

Have you noticed by showing them to your friends, family, and dog, that while they may have gushed, nodded, and wagged, YOU never really got better from that? That all the praise never helped you actually WRITE better?

As a producer and consultant I have the great pleasure of watching a strange side effect of artists and writers coming to town to work: They get better.

They get stretched. They get challenged. They get motivated and inspired to write in ways they never thought of before.

Have you ever had this happen? You write a song and make a demo, and you think it rocks. Everyone you know says it rocks.

Then you meet up with a pro. Maybe you travel to Nashville and you are sitting there with them, and they press play, and...you hear bad things. What? Wow that’s actually not very good. It’s kinda weak, and he’s gonna say it’s weak. Oh no. Why did I come here? I should go be a greeter at Walmart forever!

It’s because we actually HEAR things different when we are in the presence of someone who we know is more experienced than us. It still happens to me. I’ll go show a player or engineer a mix, or a song, and while I’m showing it (sometimes right before), I feel obliged to try and apologize.

Folks, there is value in getting evaluated by someone who works in this business all the time. Even for those of us who, um, work in this business all the time....

So, here’s this week’s challenge. Find someone in the industry. Approach them with your song(s). Invest in your writing in a way that will truly grow the very NEXT song you write.

It may not be your fifteen minutes of fame, but it certainly could be fifteen minutes that leads you to become a better writer.

Have a great week!

EC
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Eric Copeland has been humbled many times by trying to climb the songwriting mountain, but now tries to help songwriters in a positive way through his songwriter services company Masterscore Music. Check out the new improved and expanded site at http://www.MasterscoreMusic.com