Yep, Peggy. I think being able to strum some chords, come up with melodies and test how your lyrics sing on your own can really be good for your writing. For me, I write, record a home demo, play it in the car, rewrite, play it some more, rewrite, rerecord, get critiques from fellow songwriters, my wife, my kids, continue to obsess, then record again, and on and on. Finally, when I think I like what I hear, lyrics are tracking with the melody the way I think they should, etc. I hand the song over to the pro demo folks. I also find that, on the rare occasion when I write the lyrics first, I end up drastically changing the lyrics once I start trying to put them to a melody. Things on paper sometimes just don't sound right when sung. I have no commercial success to prove this is the right way to go, but I think it is working for me.
Peggy Burnham said...
OD, OD, OD, Your last two posts have mentioned my age much to much. I am keenly aware of it. I gave my age consideration before I decided to go ahead and learn to play an instrument. I don't aspire to be as good as the professionals. Couldn't if I tried.
I never intended to do my own demos, there are very talented people everywhere that will do a much better job of that than I could ever do. I want what is best for my lyrics/songs, and me singing or playing them on a demo would not be in my best interest. But if I can learn to play and do a better job of writing because of it or a better job of relaying the melody I have in my head to someone that will do a great demo, then mission accomplished. Recorded versions of singing and playing will be left to the professionals.
As far as my songs not ever being heard unless I sing and play them myself , well that is just not true. I have 3 of my songs that have been picked up by two artists and they are cutting them on their CD.
Peggy
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