Here’s some songwriting food for thought. It’s something which I’ve been pondering about for quite some time:
Does your vocal ability affect the songs you write?
What I mean is, do you tend to avoid writing songs which you feel you are unable to deliver vocally, even though there are instances whereby you had wished to write certain parts in certain ways? Conversely, do you tend to only write songs that fit your vocals well?
For example, if I know that my vocal range is of the lower range, I find myself avoiding writing songs which go really high. (Yes, I could easily transpose them down but then sometimes the essence is lost.) Or if I find that I’m unable to deliver rock vocals, I avoid writing rock songs even though there are moments when I have the intention to do so.
Plus the fact that for the monthly Songcraft sessions, we usually always present our OWN songs, so we tend to want to be able to deliver our own song well…and to deliver it well is to write a song which you are able to handle. And for someone with limited vocal prowess, I find myself ending up writing songs of rather limited vocal demands.
Do you tend to only write songs which you yourself can perform?
That’s why I really envy singer-songwriters.
Talented people such as Jason Mraz, Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, Dick Lee, Tanya Chua, Rick Price, Billy Joel, Elton John, etc. It seems like the sky’s the limit for these people, because they can deliver whatever they want to write.
But I suppose a true songwriter/composer is focused purely on the song, and not how he/she is able to deliver it.
One example I can think of is Richard Rodgers. I believe he could not have performed ALL those marvellous songs he composed, such as the numbers in The Sound of Music or Oklahoma!…as many of them were technically very demanding. However, he was so focused on the song itself, and he had this perfect vision of what he wanted the songs to sound like (when performed by the best performers, not himself), and hence he composed his music towards that vision.
Same probably goes for Leonard Bernstein (West Side Story), Diane Warren, Michael Masser (who wrote some of Whitney Houston’s greatest hits) or Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid).
Lastly, it must be noted that for an amatuer beginner songwriter who has just written some new songs, it might be a challenge to find someone else who i) is interested enough to perform your new compositions, and ii) is talented enough to deliver your song the way you envision it to be delivered.
Which is why sometimes the best person to record a new composition is the songwriter himself/herself.
Your thoughts?
As proven by the examples you listed, I DO NOT think one’s vocal ability affect how one writes music.
I think Experience and Knowledge affect.
I think in general, when we first start out writing, we tend to be a little “safe” and therefore write songs that are “easier to manage” melodically and harmonically.
And I guess, therefore, easier to sing (?).
Sometimes it depends on the Type of music we write. For someone who treats songwriting as a hobby, it’s more of an outlet of one’s feelings/emotions so maybe there’s not much diva-power needed. However if one is writing for the industry, some virtuosity is required.
Personally, I like to explore new keys when I compose a new tune. But most importantly, I compose in keys that Suit the Mood of the music.
I wholeheartedly agree with you about the best person to record a song is the composer. Even though his/her rendition might pale in comparison to a better singer’s, I feel the composer’s version is the Truest and most heart-felt.
And, it’s always fantastic to hear it from the horse’s mouth ;p
My range of singing definitely affects the songs i write coz who else will deliver it for me?
The other thing, is that the song is heard in the mind first and then sung to actualise the melody. I am not good at transposing the key so the song will take shape according to my vocal range.
Hmm…I think it is 1 of the factors that affect the songs. I think what instrument you know how to play or how you write songs affects too. Of course experience and level of acceptance is another factor. Don’t we get bolder when our songs are well-received? And of course what kind of songs you like to write, e.g. if you like to write sing-along or community kind of songs, then you’ll try not to write songs that are too “challenging”.
Personally, yah, guess I’m affected coz 1 of the ways I have a song is just singing it out first & recording it in any sound device I can get my hands on (usually my mobile). Then I try to put notes to it later on (if I ever get down to it). Also, as I can only play a few chords on the guitar, then I’ll just make a song out of those few chords. Not that I write many songs though.
Indeed, the composer would know how he/she wants to bring out the song in the truest way.
Great input guys! Thanks for the comments.
Short answer — yes, it does influence the way I write. Which explains why I tend to produce only instrumentals. LOL
Well, I’m a songwriter who is limited vocally too. I have a great alto-tenor range, but not soprano. My take on it is this, you must learn to master what YOU have! Not what Diane Warren or Elton John have!
And yes, when you are limited vocally, you do need to be very creative to play around with your voice to give a song that “umph”! I find that falsetto notes are my BEST friend in the whole wide world!!
Most of the time, i do only write songs that I can deliver, or at least well enough for the person I would like to sing it to get that exact vibe i got when i wrote it.
Emotions play a big part for me too. I could have just sung something i wrote that wasn’t a 5 star performance, but, my listeners FELT the song, and could see where it came from.
However, i do plan to get vocal lessons as well as learn how to play an instrument, maybe doing these things will help!!