Tuesday, February 6th, 2024.
Hey, it’s TJ Miller, “You want some game?” Let's #tipundathehat!
For the best indie music click, and follow my Playlist on Spotify.
Unda The Hat is now doing affiliate marketing for Amazon. “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” We feature musical equipment, OG music band Tees, merch, games, and books. This week's Amazon feature is Victor VC Caldwell.
The Art of Songwriting? - Let’s Geaux -
So the past few weeks we have talked about melody, the hook, and song structure. These are the parts that make up the process of songwriting. Songwriting is a skill that involves composing melodies and hooks and placing them in a cohesive song structure. If you missed any of those articles, please go back and read them or re-read them as they are important to the songwriting process. Songwriting also entails writing music (songs don’t always have to have words), and/or lyrics for that piece. Depending on the type of Songwriters are also called and considered composers, this term, however, is usually used in classical music and film scoring. The good thing is I know some of you are scoring music for film and writing classical music so this applies to you as well.
Songwriting is a creative process that can be used as a profession a hobby or a strong stress reliever. People of all ages and skill levels write songs, jingles, lil ditties, or whatever they wish to call them. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, there are always new things to learn about the craft of songwriting. One can also look at songwriting as a process of trial and error. Here take a listen to the songwriting duo Nova Wav, talk about those trials and errors. Nova Wav is composed of Brittany "Chi" Coney and Denisia "Blu June" Andrews. They have written and produced tracks and albums for artists including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Jay-Z, Kehlani, and more.
Don't be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. The most important thing is to have fun and let your creativity flow.
Like any other profession, Songwriting is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. But if you're passionate about music, it's a rewarding and enjoyable way to express yourself and feed you and your family. Yes, songwriting is that important. It is an integral part of the human experience and expression, Songwriting can be a way to process emotions, experiences, and thoughts. It can also be a way to share our stories with others and connect with people who have similar experiences. It can also be a therapeutic process, helping us to work through difficult emotions and find healing. Additionally, it can be a way to express our hopes and dreams and to inspire others to do the same. And some even ask if humanity could survive without music and songs. This of course goes beyond the physical needs of a human but without it there would be far-reaching effects on human culture, emotional well-being, and societal cohesion. Songs even serve as historical records, chronicling events, social movements, and cultural shifts. They offer insights into the past and help societies learn from their history. Not to get too deep on you, but Songwriting is a complex process that involves both conscious and unconscious elements. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to songwriting, there are some common psychological factors that play a role in the process. It is as important to human behavior as storytelling by combining narrative structure, character development, emotional impact, lyrical imagery, themes, and personal connection, songs effectively tell stories that captivate and engage their audience.
So now to get back to the craft of songwriting, if you are wondering how to become a better songwriter here are a few tips, first, choose a good topic and decide if you want to write to someone or something, or about someone or something. Just like in Gospel writing, writers either write about God, to God, as if God is speaking to you, or about an experience that God got them through. In other words, anything that inspires you like current situations politically, or economically remember the song War? Then find a good melody, remember melody is king, remember your song structure and if there are lyrics, tell your story. Put them all together and there you have it, you’ve written a great song, and hopefully a hit song. Don’t forget you may need to play around with it, make some changes here or there but don’t stop until you find what works.
This week's #IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week is - Victor VC Caldwell.
He’s back with another one. VC, the Chatanooga-born, Franklin Tennessee-living songwriter, producer, and engineer has a new single dropping on the 16th called The Time Has Come, featuring Kirk Whalum and Paul Jackson Jr. This is smooth jazz at its finest and shows why VC has so many Grammys, Stellar and Dove awards.
Click on the name link, scroll down to the picture, and then click, and support. For more information on this or to hire Unda The Hat as your brand or label consultant send a message via undathehat.com. If you are an Indie artist and want to be featured, hit me up. See you next week!!