For all our dear readers of this Songcraft blog, we present to you an exclusive email interview conducted with Betty, a loyal member of the Songcraft circle.
Betty is an accomplished pianist who holds an ABRSM Diploma in piano. She hopes to one day learn both the violin and voice formally (although I think her voice is pretty good as it is already).
Through this interview, we find out more about Betty’s various thoughts & views on songwriting, her meticulous approach to crafting songs, as well as her musical tastes & preferences.
Q: Where do you usually find the inspiration to write your songs?
Betty: Inspiration finds me. But sometimes I would seek it on my own when it takes too long - reading through lyrics of well-written songs, listening closely to well-loved tunes.
Q: How do you usually go about writing your songs, i.e. what’s your songwriting process like?
B: My songwriting process is tedious, if I may say so myself, because I’m the kind who’d want to write everything out.
If a tune hits me, I plonk it out on the piano with the tape recorder running. After the whole brainstorming session, I’d start my notation process at my desk.
If a line hits me, I would write it out then work out other lines from there. At the side of the paper, I would write out other words that rhyme with the last word of each line for more lyric-development.
Q: I’ve noticed that your musical style is rather unique. Certain songs can be “Enya-ish”, and yet others can be “Rodgers & Hammerstein-ish”. There is a certain uniqueness to your music. How would you describe your own songwriting style? And who do you think are your main musical influences?
B: Hmm. I have no idea, really. I think I’m still trying to figure myself out. I guess this is because I write on a whim of an inspiration (Is there such a term?! Haha).
I can’t really say I have main or “fixed ” musical influences because I listen to a wide range of music and am ready to accept any good songwriter that comes my way.
Q: Of all the songs you’ve written (be it just lyrics or melody alone, or the entire song itself), which one are you most proud of, and why?
B: *thinks veryvery long*
You know what, I am proud of each and every piece I wrote. They are each so different in their own style/character. You could say I am proud to have written a variety of songs.
Q: Who are some of your most admired songwriters/composers?
B: Far too many! I think that to be able to get one’s song/composition played on the radio or released in an album or to be on the charts, one really must be a good songwriter/composer; so I am full of awe for most of these talents out there.
Q: If there was one song out there which you wish you could have composed, which song would it be?
B: Again, far too many! In my own opinion, there is just no One Great Song.
But I do wish I had written all those great Disney songs.
Q: You seem to be writing a lot of lyrics to existing music lately. Is lyric-writing something which interests you greatly? And is this something you wish to develop further?
B: Yes, I’ve been very fascinated with well-written/thought lyrics that expresses so much and which complements the music so well.
I’ve never thought of myself as one who could churn out lyrics of substance, maybe due to the fact that I can’t seem to express myself well in words. I reckon that my recent output of lyrics is due to the fact that I’m first attracted to the Music which touched me.
Yes, I do wish to develop better lyric-writing skills!
Q: Can you describe the kind of song which will appeal to you?
B: I’m very big on Melody. So anything melodious and lyrical (do they mean the same?) Especially those that I can sing along to after the first listen.
Infectious beats, a dissonant chord would definitely grab my attention too.
Q: What are your objectives for writing songs – Is it to write something which you yourself like to hear? Or to make a statement? Or simply to express your feelings at that point in time?
B: Hmm it depends on the situation in which I was writing the song. I could expand on a motif which I really like and turn it into a tune, I could write lyrics to proclaim God’s love for me.
But more often, it is an expression of my feelings.
In the case of my writing lyrics for already-composed music, I kinda “psych” myself to think like how the composer would when he/she wrote the music. By “being one” with the composer, I think it helps to achieve a certain sense of “consistency” between the music and lyrics.
[...] Read the full interview at the Songcraft blog here: An Interview With Betty The Songwriter [...]
cool interview!
I n summary, Betty can sing, compose, and play the piano. And do them all pretty well. Steady lah. :)
Oops I just checked back on this post.
Haha thank you Ivan! ;)