i hardly ever sit down to (force) out a song any more. i used to, and went through several years of trash. when i joined chordie i thought i needed to write songs that had meaning and or a story.

these days i only write when something is itching to get out; i was in the shower and an opening line came to me, so while i was washing my bits i was developing the words and tune (they usually come together) so after drying off, i scurry down to my studio and pop the words down and look for the chords. if i have something good then i need to record it right away as if i don't by the time i get back to it, it's gone, so i leave it in my slush pile, and when i have a tune but no words i'll go back and see if they fit, maybe years later!

other times i've been strumming away or tinkling on the piano, when a chord sequence or a riff or tune comes out, soon a few words will come along whether i'm trying to write a song or not. in all cases the first few lines dictate the theme/story of the song, and what may start out as a rock song may end up as a ballad!

hi EB, there are one or two others, but in the main it's true. what people don't realize is that when your song (or poem) appears here it's just like publishing them as it's appeared in print and so if some unscrupulous person plagiarizes the song then you have your first basis for legal action. i'm probably well off base here, but i dare say someone will put us straight.

thanks for the comment.

phill

don't forget we (mostly) all got into music listening to mindless pop. and it's not the fans that put him where he is, it's the music moguls, the fat cats, the simon cowells of this world that wind them up and then mindlessly let them go. the show biz ethos is:- no publicity is bad publicity.

not to say that bieber doesn't deserve a good slapping or a few years in jail. money talks i guess. what the hell was a 19 year old doing in a Ferrari anyway? and i believe it was drink and drugs.

just before the globe type bulbs were stopped over here, Tesco were selling pigtails (as you call them) for 50 pence each, so we bought a shed load of them. now they sell at around £5 a pop! i like them as they are something like 9 watts a bulb giving off 50 watts equivalent. they also give a better light for taking photo's and video i found . i have seen the old style for sale but they are very expensive now £9 +

i like the reference to "your brain". i have a pal who likes to say he has 3 brain cells and if 2 agree then whatever he was thinking comes out of his mouth. not always a good thing!

you poem made me think and remember, so it did it's job. well done.

hi EB. it's a sad fact that though our poems get hundreds of hits, very few members actually give a critique. when i first joined chordie, there were a group of like minded members that would read every word and give a friendly review and advice. we all became friends and i felt as if i was a part of a community. i chatted with people from all over the world, it was a great feeling. sadly i don't feel like that any more.

i've seen some terrific poems come up here and not one reply, it would be nice if people reading them would give, even a perfunctory "nice one" lets start a new trend?

thanks by the way for reading and leaving a comment.

phill

do you perform for yourself or an audience? if your a cover band then it matters. if your playing as a performer (as i do) then you should put your own stamp on it. if your just playing to entertain yourself....play it as it will make you happy.

DITTO

i call it hitting the pitch, while the intro is playing turn away from the mic and hum or whatever sound you feel most comfortable making. when you feel happy that you're in key, go for it.

of course it's always advisable to sing in your own comfy key. when i'm rehearsing a new song, i'll sing unaccompanied at full boar and try notes till i find the right key then just transpose the chords from the copy.

it can be a bit naughty if you have to learn a solo in Ab, i hate Ab!

hi gjimmy17.

it's actually in Db and a 3 chord trick (Db-Gb-Db-Ab) if you have trouble with barre chords, i suggest you use a capo on the 4th frett and play A shaped chords. alternatively capo on the 1st frett and play C shaped chords.

any samples? just checking.