Something I Wrote for School

Miguel Hernandez

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A View on Songwriting

Songwriting is as personal as a toothbrush. No one else should/could use it because it just feels naturally off. It’s yours and it is for you. I believe that song writing is a very personal act. They are unique ideas produced by the complex minds of people from diverse backgrounds (i.e. race, religion, friends, etc) and they come out in the form of well woven words and complementing melodies. OR. It comes out in a form of well woven melodies accompanied by complementing words. OR both of the above. I think the initial purpose for song writing is to express what you truly experience within yourself and what you see around you. Sharing it with others, I believe is optional. Songwriting is so powerful that it can change the world no matter how cliché it sounds. The Beatles, Michael Jackson, etc are proof that it is possible to change the way things are through the combination of tones, words and beats.

The videos we watched for class were pretty educational. They gave a lot of tips on how to add some flavor to our songs. The videos were rather instructional though which was rather annoying and helpful at the same time (70% annoying. 25% helpful 5% boring.). I believe that songwriting must be completely natural and free. A wise musician once said that education can paralyze your musical creativity. I agree and disagree with him at the same time.

The videos, on the other hand gave rather stern tips on how to add structure to your songs. But I guess they could be used as tools. When these “tools” are fused with raw honest music and lyrics, you could unlock new doors of creativity and VOILA!

Being knowledgeable about the “rules” in music is a bonus but I think the very essence of crafting a song is honesty, passion, exploration, hard work and love. I’m no pro in songwriting at all but I try.

This was just what my mongrel mind had to say.

The end.

two of the greatest songwriters of our era:

Left: The Dexterous Cedric Bixler-Zavala

Right: El Maestro Omar Rodriguez-Lopez

The Mars Volta

*the picture is owned by Ross Halfin

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