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Can YOU write 50 songs in 90 days??? http://5090.fawm.org/ The insanity starts July 4. EDIT - if you do sign up, let me know so I can 'follow' your progress! http://5090.fawm.org/fawmers/vikkiflawith/
Last edited by Hummingbird; 06/26/09 01:43 PM.
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For lurkers, don't be scared away by the numbers -- 50 is not that important. It is all about trying to write a lot in a short period of time, trying new things, stepping outside your comfort zone, etc, etc...
Last year I ended up calling it my 20/90, this year I am not sure what it is goings to turn out like.
Kevin
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Yes, but most of them would probably be pretty crappy.
Alan
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No! I can write 50 lyrics in 90 days but doubt they'd have music, so no songs. I could probably do between 20-25 in 90 days, if I haven't run off all my composer friends... =)
UNLESS! This band in a Box thing that I ordered isn't difficult to master, in that case, I could, but they'd probably be about 50/50 -good/really bad. But it's a fun thing to try!
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Al: Crappy ideas can sometimes lead to a good song. Instrumentals are OK, too.
Caroline: Lyrics only are just fine.
Kevin
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If I was single, with no kids, and living in an apartment, I know I could. However...........
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Kevin,
No disagreement with you about crappy things that can turn into good things (coal to diamonds!!??). If I had more time available, I would give it a go one year. I just don't have the time with my wife's health and my never-ending repsonsibilities. Right now, I am literally getting by on 4 hours sleep a day...have been for a couple of years. I go to bed about 5:00 AM and get up around 10:00 AM. It's pretty much non-stop the rest of the time. the only appreciable downtime Ihave is Itake 2 - 3 hours out to watch the Cardinals play baseball most nights.
All that said, I might try it this year just to see how many I can do. I'm going to speculate 25 - 30 and maybe 5 or 6 of them will be decent.
You have written some very nice pieces from this project. I mentioned this on another thread last week, but I'll say it again: Your playing and composing have improved dramatically.
Talk atcha later.
Alan
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Hi Vikki: My advice here is pointed at the "newbies" among us and not aimed at "old hands" like yourself. Short answer: Yes. I've done more than that in 90 days. Long Answer: Don't expect much quality if you do. (I'm talking about completed songs including lyrics, music and recording.) I don't want anyone to think I'm here to "rain on their parade" but if you are seriously attempting to write and record so many songs with even a chance to make it past an intern listening at some publishing house or producer, you are probably only doing it for fun. Nothing wrong with that... and it certainly will add to your experience. Just don't be too disappointed if none of them make it to the charts... LOL! Whatever you do... write with a purpose, save all lyrics and melodies... and don't be afraid to do a re-write a few months later. Keep a catalog of your work in numerical and alphabetical order for later reference. It is possible to convert a "sows ear" into a silk purse after you have gained experience in all the facets needed to create a great song. Meanwhile, don't take yourselves too seriously and try to have fun while creating something new. Best wishes for success. Dave http://www.ShowCaseYourMusic.com/DaveRice
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I don't want anyone to think I'm here to "rain on their parade"... I'm getting an umbrella. Here's one from last 50/90: http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6834520Kevin
Last edited by Kevin Emmrich; 06/25/09 07:54 PM.
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Dave, the point of a personal challenge like this is not about numbers, perfection, or pitching the results. It's about WRITING, about pushing past your limits, about being creative, about challenging yourself to go beyond your comfort zone.
I can honestly say that participating in FAWM and 50/90 have made me more prolific, and a better writer for the exercise.
And, I have pitched and signed several tracks written during FAWM & 50/90 over the past couple years.
There is no downside.
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Anyone can take a bucket of golf balls to a range and put em down and hit em in fast succession. Not much to be learned when not taking time to work on the "craft". Otherwise, it's just throwing down some new ditties with no respect for songcraft. Now if it's sex you're talking about,,,,,,,No, not even that! My wife would start to feel the same as the listeners to those quickie songs. What's the point? Learn more and get better results by taking time and to build each house with care,,,,not just fast for fast's sake! Geezzz! Less is more! The clock and calender are good for planning vacations! Just some thoughts to consider. Continue on! John
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HiDee Mz Vicki!
I usually have no problemo..COULD pen more'n 2-a-day..think 5 is my "Record"..at a younger age.
My only problem with FAWM is I don't know HOW to "Cut & Paste", & it's too-much-time to transfer 'em from here to there, as I already DID one Feb a few years ago.
I think the "Pressure" to Create on A Deadline IS a Great Experience for those who wanna "Turn Pro" down the pike. And..you'll probably USE some of the Quickies ya make up when ya go back & check 'em out Later.
I learned AGES-ago...(Waal..1999 WAS a long time..far as I can see)..to set-aside a time DAILY when it was "Writing Time". The Early AMs are a "Habit" Now..(& I've got ALL NIGHT for my Subconscious to percolate the Previous Day's Events & come up with a Hook..or two [& sometimes a complete Melody as-well!])
It's relatively EASY...just gotta "Get Programmed".
& that..is why I think the FAWM Experience IS a Good'n'.
TRY IT...It does get Easier..
Best Wishes, Stan
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Hi Vikki, Kevin, Al, Stan, Summeyo, John and anyone else reading this thread.
Remember, I'm not saying that FAWM is a bad idea. I'm just stating that IMHO, your quality will be better if you take your time. Of course its great to "push the envelope" from time to time. I've long advocated that its good for a songwriter to work in several genres. It does take you out of your "comfort zone" sometimes... and that is a positive thing. "Speed writing" and collaboration can also be very positive experiences.
B-T-W, Kevin, thanks for the link to your collaborative song. Nice!
Best wishes for success,
Dave
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Hmmmm.... I don't know, I don't see it as throwing craft out the window. I see it as exercising my creative muscles and challenging myself to go beyond my comfort zone. Because of participating in these challenges, I write better faster. Sure, some stuff is chaff (ain't it always), but experience is a great teacher. When we focus too much on product, we lose creative spark. The purpose of the challenge is to light a fire.
But hey, each to his own.
I do it because it's inspiring, exciting and fun. And the community is great too.
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Anyone can take a bucket of golf balls to a range and put em down and hit em in fast succession. Not much to be learned when not taking time to work on the "craft". Otherwise, it's just throwing down some new ditties with no respect for songcraft. LOL! That's a pretty arrogant, ignorant and few other -ant's statement. If you haven't done it or tried it, why make statements that have no basis in reality? kevin
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I can not good ones maybe LOL
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I'm still trying to finish the fourteen I wrote for FAWM in February!
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I actually think this is a great idea, and I think 90 days in plenty of time to write 50 songs (lyrics)
The mor eI write, the better they are, when I slack off, they get weak and have holes in them, nothing with substance. So, I'm jumping on this challenge, never know what'll come form it!
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I actually think this is a great idea, and I think 90 days in plenty of time to write 50 songs (lyrics)
The more I write, the better they are, when I slack off, they get weak and have holes in them, nothing with substance. So, I'm jumping on this challenge, never know what'll come form it!
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I don't think I could do it. I admire those who do.
Tom
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Nashville has 20,000 writers who write 50 songs EVERY 90 days...i write about 30...no time to participate in this, i'm busy trying to get my A1A Audio Productions up and paying for itself be well, have some summer fun, write a hit...mj
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I probably won't jump on this particular challenge but I do see the value.
Two anecdotes:
I wrote a lyric for a challenge on the Muses' Muse -- it was all about syllable count. 5-syllable lines in the verse, 4 in the chorus, and so on. I wrote something quickly, struggling a bit with the restrictions. Not something I would have written for "me". Long story short, that lyric eventually won an international songwriting competition (along with music, though the lyrics were cited by the judges as being particulary good)
Also on the Muses' Muse, I followed a "Rhymes" thread where you had to (very quickly) toss up 4 to 12 rhyming lines based on a title the last person posted. There was an odd title waiting for the next person and I quickly -- VERY quickly -- wrote 12 lines. I stepped back later and realized there was a kernel in what I had written, and I expanded it into a full lyric, polishing as I went. Eventually I wrote my own melody and chord progression to it (I'm normally a lyrics-only fellow) and sang it at a cabaret. It turned into a strange and unusual but deeply felt song about aging and regret. (It's the "Rumplestiltzin" song on my website)
These are two of the most successful songs I've written -- one a big contest winner and another one of my only really personal songs (me writing the music as well); and I would have written neither of them without the artificial restrictions of an odd challenge and a requirement to write *SOMETHING* quickly.
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I actually think this is a great idea, and I think 90 days in plenty of time to write 50 songs (lyrics)
The more I write, the better they are, when I slack off, they get weak and have holes in them, nothing with substance. So, I'm jumping on this challenge, never know what'll come form it! Now there's a reverse effect For most I would bet anything there would be more holes and less substance in completeing even ONE song in one day,never mind 2 songs a day or 50 in 90 days There's an interesting challenge for The mentor program with Harriet & Pat,or the challenge boards. Make five song submissions,two that were completed in one day by the same person. Two that was completed in one day by another person. And One that was completed in a week to 4 weeks by another. See if they could spot which ones were done in a day. Which have the most holes and weakness. Even though my answer would be definitely No! I am not capable of completing 50 songs in 90 days. No Way! I do believe in the idea of writing alot is a very good thing, plain and simple writers write. It is good to push yourself and get out of your comfort zone but more importantly than this procedure or anything else is doing "What works best for you" If writing alot keeps you fresh, and sharp then by all means do it! So if someone has the time to do this and the drive - go for it My only goal is to write ONE hit song,one great song in my WHOLE LIFE! One song that will outlast me and be enjoyed by as many people as possible long after I'm gone. It's not to complete 10,000 songs. But if writing tons helps you find your rare special one in a lifetime song, than that's the way you have to go. I have songs that are different from each other in ways and always to someone there will be a preference. BUT none are throw aways and none weaker or less effective than the other. And on top of that I'm kinda superstitious in a way. I feel I only know so many chords have so many rythyms in my body and melodies in my head. Or at least decent ones. So I WON"T copy from myself and make my songs sound alike, If I write ALOT in a too short a time that is gonna happen. I personally need to apply ALOT of what Fawm's concept is about to my myself. So I don't get 50 songs in 90 days but for me 1 song a month would be HUGE!! I'm very depressed that I only have about 35 in this entire decade. But then again I think too much I put more focus on the tempo and metronome for a song than many do on there entire song. The FEEL of your song is HUGE! I know you feel "Feel" but sometimes you have to stop and consider it. Otherwise all your songs start to FEEL the same,besides sound the same and become less effective. Even though I think the numbers 50 in 90 are a way bit extreme! I completely agree that running ALOT is the best way to prepare for a race. You can not argue with that!! Best of Luck to all involved enjoy yourselves! Note* - remember not to neglect Loved ones too much!
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Long Answer: Don't expect much quality if you do. (I'm talking about completed songs including lyrics, music and recording.)
Hi Dave, I've actually heard some very good songs that were written during FAWM; some from JPF members. I've participated the last two years, and never hit the goal. But it was a great challenge, and it really got me to concentrate on my writing, which is sometimes difficult to do with everything else going on in my life. And yes, by all means, once the challenge is over, go back and fine tune the songs. That's what, I believe, most of the participants do. Also, the FAWM community is extremely supportive. I'm a big fan of the process.
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I've signed more than one track written during FAWM or 50/90. So just because it's fast-paced doesn't mean there isn't craft.
But really the point is to come up with 50 IDEAS and SKETCH them. Not to post completed crafted produced songs.
There's no writer here that can't come up with all kinds of ideas for songs. The point of the challenge is to get them out of your head and on paper.
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Considering it's taken me 20 years to write 50 keepers, I doubt it. I've always been a quality over quanity kinda guy.
Last edited by Bob Cushing; 07/04/09 05:21 PM.
bc
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One of the things I've noticed when I write a lot is that I come with lines I can use in other songs to make them better. I heard Jeff Steele talk about reusing lines in some of his hits. So it's okay to recylcle your stuff.
I think I might try this. I think I can do it but the 50 songs may only have one verse LOL. And they'll probably all have the same tune but most of my songs do that already.
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One of the things I've noticed when I write a lot is that I come with lines I can use in other songs to make them better. I heard Jeff Steele talk about reusing lines in some of his hits. So it's okay to recylcle your stuff. Eb, I'm so glad to read this, because I do that, too! Sometimes all I have is one or two good lines, and I set them aside. But when I'm looking for ideas, I revisit them (I save them all) and they sometimes lead to something worthwhile. Good for you for trying the challenge. If you do sign up, PM me and I'll add you to my watch list.
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I'm already thrilled that I joined up 6 or so days ago. Feels like it's been a month, because so many lyrics ideas have emerged and I've already begun to set up a collab network with composers/vocalists. The FAWN community - like JPF - is wonderful. I have no intention of striving for 50 completed lyrics/songs. I'd go insane. However, I feel I'm capable of 20-25 half-decent lyrics and a slew of others that I can revise at leisure once the challenge is over in October. And I'm confident of at least 5-10 satisfying collaborations. For me, joining was about the motivation factor and about stepping out of my comfort zone in terms of genre and theme. All of this can only be a good thing. And it didn't cost a cent. Donna
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"If one man can do it, any man can do it. It is true. But the real question is, if one man did it, are you willing to do what it takes to do it as well?" –Brian Austin Whitney
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