So you want to write songs? (Vol. 1)

5 Things worth sharing this week.

Hey Crashers,

So, we were sitting around a campfire the other night with a pack of teenage songwriters, some of the most talented yet unassuming people I know. I said to myself, "If I was writing a ‘Rapid 5’ for them, what would my songwriting recommendations be?"

But I'm not a songwriter 😊, so I asked a few friends, and here's what they said… I hope it helps you as much as I think it will help the aspiring writers in my world!

(I've also included a song from each person to inspire you).

WHERE DO I START? // MITCH WONG

I asked Mitch what he would do if he were just starting out. Here’s what he said…

I didn’t use many resources but just learned by experience. I found a lot of value in wrestling with songs until they’re finished and not relying on co-writing as a crutch if it was taking too long.

But there is a book that my friend Krissy Nordhoff wrote, which is undoubtedly fantastic for worship writing because she is incredible. It helps young writers learn how they work as writers, how they think, and what sort of ‘writing personality’ they lean towards.

Here's a link to the book!

Here’s one of Mitch’s songs…

WHAT DO I NEED? // HANNAH HOBBS

Hannah Hobbs answered one of my random text messages the other day (I send them to her regularly 😊) asking about the things every hopeful songwriter should have if they are going to record demos of their songs.

Here’s what she said…

A few years ago, I began learning some basic music production skills because, as a writer, I found being able to make a reasonable demo for my songs so beneficial. I keep things really simple. Sometimes an uncomplicated piano and vocal demo is all you need to share a song so that other people can hear it’s potential.

Here’s the basic recording setup I use to make demos;

• A Mac Laptop

• Logic Pro (Here’s a 90 day trial version) - I find it simple to navigate.

• An interface - I use a UAD APOLLO | TWIN

• A Mic - My go-to mic is SHURE SM7B with a cloud lifter.

• A Midi keyboard - The keyboard I’m currently using is the M-AUDIO Hammer 88 key.

Want to see what Hannah has been working on lately?

SO WHAT ABOUT THE LYRICS? // BEN FIELDING

It's the age-old question, "Melody or Lyrics first?" But, whether melody or lyrics come first, a song needs both! We'll leave the tune to you, but here's Ben Fielding's tip to help you write better lyrics.

He suggests reading a book by Pat Pattison called Writing Better Lyrics, and here's a link to resources on Pat Pattison’s website

Pat Pattison is a professor at Berklee College of Music, teaching lyric writing and poetry. Since he started his songwriting course in 2013, over 2.5 million people have taken the course, and he has a stream of Grammy award-winning songwriters who testify to the help he has been to them.

Here’s our favorite Ben song of the moment…

WHAT ABOUT CO-WRITING? // MIA FIELDES

Mia Fieldes is the kind of friend that answers anything; she is a believer in everyone and committed to you finding your feet as a writer more than anyone I know!

Asked what she would say to aspiring writers. Here’s what she said:

I would say, co-write!!! Find people who are strong at whatever you’re not strong at because their strength becomes your greatest teacher.

Be a specialist - it actually serves you really well to know what you excel at (like if you’re a top liner - be the best one; if you produce, be amazing at that).

You don’t have to be amazing at everything, competent, yes, but as a specialist at something, you’ll actually do way more.

One course that covers a lot - all the way through production / demos etc is Song Chasers course by Seth Mosley- it’s really well done!

To get a feel for the content, you can watch this:

Mia also sent two other tips in our conversation that are priceless;

1. “I think it can be easy to write about Jesus and forget that it’s for Jesus… it’s a lot easier to write about someone you truly know and have conversations with every day - you’ll never run out of revelation when you have a real friendship with Him”

2. “Oh, and tell them to make it a discipline - set time every week to write as though it’s a job… it helps in being productive and will encourage them to not only keep going but to know how to write outside of the moments of feeling inspired”

MIA’S FAVOURITE SONG?

“I think my favorite song I’ve written is Chainbreaker - I loved the day we wrote it, and I love what it says, but mostly I love that song because of Zach Williams and his story - it was such a good reminder that God will find you when you in the most obscure place and do something so beautiful to redeem the years.”

HERE IT IS…

NEED MORE HELP? SHOOT THE UNICORN!! // BROOKE LIGERTWOOD

Brooke Ligertwood has produced an online songwriting course with 11 sessions that take you through her process… check out the trailer here.

Brooke is one of the finest songwriters, humans, and lovers of Jesus I know... and yes, I realize I'm biased because of our friendship. Still, I've also been the grateful recipient, along with the rest of you, of incredible songs like 'New Wine,' 'What a Beautiful Name,' and 'A Thousand Hallelujahs,' to name a few!

What’s Brooke been writing? Songs like this;

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It’s your turn now…

If you’re a songwriter, please add other links that can help newer songwriters in the comments! or if you’ve seen anything great, share it. Together, let’s build a library of resources with things that have helped you grow and any of your gear suggestions.

And, don’t forget you can email us at rapid5@thehopefulrhino.com if you have a topic you’d like us to cover or if you’ve seen or created something inspiriting to share.

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THIS WEEK IN THE HOPEFUL RHINO JOURNALS

All the songwriters we referenced in this week's 'Rapid 5' have their own style and way of writing. While they're all unique, one thing they have in common is that they have developed their own unique way of "getting it done."

How do they do it? By working out what works for them and doing it repeatedly, year after year. In other words - they follow their creative process. And that's what we're exploring this week in the 'Rhino Journals,' 'The power and importance of developing your own personal creative process.'

Grace and Peace,

Cass & Rich