Originally Posted by Kevin Emmrich
I just don't get it. Without music, it is just not a song. It seems to me that any aspiring songwriter has to (mandatory, required, no excuses) learn how to play the piano or guitar to at least make suitable work tapes. It would take no longer than 12 months for the "average bear" to become proficient enough on an instrument to compose at least pretty straight forward tunes.

Plus there's BIAB and other tools that can come up with pretty decent musical backings for any one who has learned the simplest basics of chord theory (it will only take a year).

So, what's stopping you lyric-only folks?

Kevin

P.S. Don't take offense -- I really want to know.


I would like to take a moment to respond to the orginal post. I agree completley with you Kevin that as a lyric writer you should be able to at the very least plunk out a few chords. I just bought my first guitar for this very reason. I've commited myself to a short term goal of learning and becoming proficent enough to play and sing at least 3 chords. Once I get there then I'll set another goal for myself, hopefully improving the way I write by learning more about chord progression. I've been writing lyrics for a little over 2 years now, and this to me seems like a natural progression to becoming a better writer.

The only point I disagree with is where you said, without music it just isn't a song. I would say that with music a song is better. Music adds texture, and layers, helps set the mood, and carries the lyrics. But I think if someone sings a song without the benefit of instruments being played along, it's still a song.

No offense taken, and most definatly none meant.

I'm inclined to be musical
But I'm not musicaly inclined