Try writing songs, both lyrics, and chords. It's a great way to learn and express yourself. it also forces you to learn new chords to match the sound you're looking for.
102 2022-07-16 20:48:11
Topic: I Miss Those Days When Chordie Hopped (7 replies, posted in Songwriting)
I kind of revised my poem into this song. Missing the old days of chordie that I am sure many will remember. Fun little blues tune that I will try and record before the weekend is over.
I Miss Those Days When Chordie HoppedJeff Gilpin
~
I [E]miss those days when Chordie hopped
[E]Music back then never had to end
[A]Searching for songs that weren’t easy to find
In[E]sightful music about blew my mind
[B7]Sage advice, seemed it never stopped
I [E]miss those days when Chordie hopped
~
I [E]miss those days when Chordie hopped
[E]Finding my rhymes just a tune at a time
[A]People I met there, the salt of the earth
[E]Felt I knew them all since the day of my birth
[B7]Nights I never ever wanted to stop
I [E]miss those days when Chordie hopped
~
I [E]miss those days when Chordie hopped
My [E]virtual hangout tunes I would bang out
[A]Sharing ideas without all the baggage
[E]Writing new songs just like the old adage
[A]The pennies we saved ounces prevent
[E]Words so wise that were heaven sent
[B7]Not sure why it's all slowed to a stop
I [E]miss those days when Chordie hopped [E7]
103 2022-07-16 15:10:28
Re: I Miss Those Days When Chordie Hopped (9 replies, posted in Poems)
Just an observation from me. I miss all my old chordie friends showing up here, too many to name, that I don't see on here much anymore, and the interaction that started me writing songs. Wouldn't it be nice if we had that here again? I know it might be a pipe dream but I do miss the old chordie days.
104 2022-07-16 14:21:18
Topic: I Miss Those Days When Chordie Hopped (9 replies, posted in Poems)
I Miss Those Days When Chordie Hopped
I miss those days when Chordie hopped
Music back then never had any end
I could search for songs that were easy to find
Insightful music about blew my mind
And the people I met there, the salt of the earth
Felt I knew them ever since my birth
Sharing ideas without any baggage
Writing new songs just like the old adage
Of the pennies we saved and the ounces prevent
Words so wise were heaven sent with some
Sages' advice seemed that never stopped
I miss those days when Chordie hopped
105 2022-07-14 00:42:49
Re: Recording - Prince Edward Island Song (3 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Hey Jim - I enjoyed it although it was sorrowful. Thanks for sharing in songwriting.
106 2022-07-05 00:09:52
Re: I Want to Make You Laugh (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Thank you Jan. I was hesitant to record and share this one but decided to in the end. I think the whole world can do better and hopefully will someday soon.
107 2022-07-05 00:07:13
Re: As She Taps Her Toes Along (4 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Thanks Jan! Glad I got a grin out of you. 
108 2022-07-04 15:07:59
Topic: I Want to Make You Laugh (2 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Another song I wrote for my wife after another shooting, this time in a small town in Texas not far from where we used to live. It was supposed to give her something more positive to think about on a sad day.
https://soundcloud.com/jets60/i-want-to-make-you-laugh
I Want to Make You Laugh By Jeff Gilpin
~
[G]I want to make you [C]laugh ooh [G]ooh
I want to make you [C]laugh
[G]I want to make you [C]laugh ooh [G]ooh
I want to make you [C]laugh
~
[Am]Every day, every [C]day
[G]The world just breaks my [D]heart
[Em]I want to look a[F]way
[C]But I see it’s tearing us all a[D]part so
~
[G]I want to make you [C]laugh ooh [G]ooh
I want to make you [C]laugh
[G]I want to make you [C]laugh ooh [G]ooh
I want to make you [C]laugh
~
Solo on chorus chords
~
[G]I want to make you [C]laugh ooh [G]ooh
I want to make you [C]laugh
[G]I want to make you [C]laugh ooh [G]ooh
I want to make you [C]laugh
[Am]Just when I think it’s [C]safe
[G]Another tragedy comes up a[D]gain
[Em]Almost beyond be[F]lief
[C]Is it ever going to [D]end…ever [D7]going to end…so
~
[G]I want to make you [C]laugh ooh [G]ooh
I want to make you [C]laugh
[G]I want to make you [C]laugh ooh [G]ooh
I want to make you [C]laugh when all you want to do is [Em]cry
109 2022-07-04 00:35:07
Re: As She Taps Her Toes Along (4 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Thanks Jan. It's up on soundcloud.
110 2022-07-03 19:44:48
Topic: As She Taps Her Toes Along (4 replies, posted in Songwriting)
New song I wrote today. A little more up-tempo than I normally write but it felt right. https://soundcloud.com/jets60/as-she-ta … toes-along
As She Taps Her Toes Along by Jeff Gilpin
~
Intro strumming E
~
[E]Think I’ll forgo the razor
It [A]burns just like a phaser
[D]Cleaning myself up to wear
My [A]brand-new chartreuse blazer
[E]Like a cat on catnip
[A]Swaying on a freight ship
[D]Cleaning myself up to
See [A]if I can a[D]maze her
~
As she [E]taps her toes along
In [A]time to a brand-new song
[D]Lyrics make her start to grin
[A]Somewhere about near the end [E]
~
[E]I am like an old doggy
[A]When its fur gets soggy
[D]Shower to de-funk-a-fy
[A]Makes the drain all cloggy
[E]Nattily out I bebop
[A]Humming a little do whap
[D]Rising from the shower's steam
[A]Mirror's a little [D]foggy
~
As she [E]taps her toes along
In [A]time to a brand-new song
[D]Lyrics make her start to grin
[A]Somewhere about near the end [E]
~
[A]Lyrical adjustments
[E]Keeps the story going
As [A]I keep scratching
Out the story [E]song
[A]Discovering the path
[E]Creative bit of math
To [A]end up where I do
Sur[D]prising me and you …because we’re
~
[E]Heading down no road
[A]Staying in our abode
[D]Think I’ve done enough so now
I’ll [A]rest my heavy load
[E]Over there I see you
[A]Wondering what’ll we do
I [D]send you psychic messages
And [A]wait until you de[D]code
~
As she [E]taps her toes along
In [A]time to a brand-new song
[D]Lyrics make her start to grin
[A]Somewhere about near the end X 2 end on [D]end then [E]
111 2022-07-03 16:07:09
Topic: Delivery Trucks - Posted (5 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Hey everyone - I finally got around to recording Delivery Trucks (written late last year). Let me know what you think.
112 2022-06-28 00:42:40
Re: The Door (Mama's Song) (6 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Another great song Jim. Your Mom sounds like a strong wonderful person. Well done!
114 2022-06-15 01:01:53
Re: well look who's back (5 replies, posted in Songwriting)
I really enjoyed that Joe! Great song that I'm adding to my covers!
115 2022-06-15 00:53:11
Re: Untitled (5 replies, posted in Poems)
Thanks Jim - That's a good title too! Now I have another decision, along with the chords and melody.
116 2022-06-14 10:41:30
Re: Untitled (5 replies, posted in Poems)
Thanks, Jan and Phil - I like the idea of The other shoe to drop as the title. Now how to find the right music. Sounds kind of Prine-like in my head but I'll figure it out.
117 2022-06-13 00:56:42
Topic: Untitled (5 replies, posted in Poems)
Wrote this little untitled poem tonight. I will most likely turn it into a song in time.
Untitled - Jeff Gilpin
A blank page tells a story
That words cannot express
When thoughts are tangled
Words a little mangled
A blank page is what says it best
Hearts are not so fragile
Though our minds might disagree
When our hearts are broken
The aching pain unspoken
Hidden from the whole wide world to see
Yet you’re out there somewhere
Living your life day to day
Living your lifelong story
A blank page or a heartache away
People just keep on going
After all sorts of stops
When they just don’t want to
Or even when they want to is when they’re
Waiting for that other shoe to drop
Out in the middle of nowhere
The greatest of songs could be sung
And nobody will hear
Have a laugh or shed a tear
Except for the singer when all is said and done
Yet we’re all out here somewhere
Living our lives day to day
Living our lifelong story
A sweet song or a heartbreak away
Erase all the words you’ll get a blank page
Break your heart you’ll get a good cry
But keep on keeping on
Like the words to that song
That you’ll carry in your heart until you die
118 2022-06-08 23:52:22
Re: My Hourglass of Sand (9 replies, posted in Songwriting)
I had some time tonight and was able to get a good enough recording. Hope you all like it. https://soundcloud.com/jets60/my-hourglass-of-sand
119 2022-06-07 23:16:25
Re: My Hourglass of Sand (9 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Thanks you two. Yeah, relationships with daughters can be tricky. Hopefully, she'll get over it. She asked for time which led to the song title.
121 2022-06-07 00:22:47
Re: My Hourglass of Sand (9 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Thanks Brian - Should have it up sometime this weekend.
122 2022-06-06 23:49:19
Topic: My Hourglass of Sand (9 replies, posted in Songwriting)
This is a song I just wrote about a little rift that is going on between my daughter and me. Fingerpick song somewhere between 60-80 bpm (haven't settled yet) 4/4 time. I'll try and get it recorded soon.
My Hourglass of Sand Jeff Gilpin
~
[C]Upstairs writing words
[G]Whatever comes to mind
[C]What I’ve gained what I’ve lost
And [F]what I’ve left behind
[C]Trying, thinking of what to say
[G]To drive her hurt away
But [F]words are sitting here to stay
Until she comes back a[C]round
~
[C]Problem’s that she’s far away
[G]Yet she’s in my thoughts to stay
[C]Taking up her residence
My [F]mind her unmade bed
[C]I see her just sitting there
[G]Me, she doesn’t want to hear
[F]But it keeps her picture near
Refreshing my mind’s [C]eye
~
And [F]I know that she knows
[C]But that’s just how it goes
While the [F]days just flow on and on
My [G]hourglass of sand [F]
~
Wonder [C]when or if she’ll come around
[G]Maybe come on back to town
[C]Hopefully I’m a little spry but
[F]Likely tired and catching five
[C] The continent divides
[G]But I’m not trying to hide
[F]She knows where she can find
Her old man growing [C]older
~
Solo on chorus F C F G F
~
[C]Until that time I guess
[G]I’ll stay here in my mess
[C]Where only I can find
[F]A way to mend this tear
[C]I’m good at fixing stuff
[G]Hoping that I’m good enough
To [F]fix the gulf between us
And to make us whole a[C]gain
~
Chorus x 2 end fade on verse chords
123 2022-06-03 00:30:18
Re: My heart still cries (9 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Hey Trevor. This is a very well-written song. You captured the pain of many things that happen when love is lost or no longer there. I also liked your chords, very fitting for the heart-felt theme of the song. Touching performance as well. I heard it a different way in my head before I listened. Great vocals and musical arrangement. Very polished and professional sound in my opinion. Well done!
125 2022-05-29 01:28:51
Re: Saint Lucia (8 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Thanks, Jan and Pete. Jan, I am breaking in my Volt 276 audio interface which I actually got right before we left for vacation. Both my guitar and my mic for vocals are plugged into that interface, and as you noticed I'm getting a much cleaner sound by using it. I'm still working to switch from Audacity to Ableton Live Lite for my audio software but I'm not quite there yet. I'm taking my time and enjoying the change as I get to play with new toys.