Monday, December 3, 2012

Polish

That one word single-handedly changed my musical career.

It's a concept that took years (literally) to sink in and accept. It's one I still grapple with. But it's also the one that helped to change everything. Let me explain:

Years ago I was in L.A. spending time with a guy who was helping me write better songs. This particular guy has written numerous hits in multiple genres, and he was taking me under his wing. We were "driving" the 409 (a/k/a stuck in bumper to bumper traffic!) and he told me to put on my latest CD. He said, "don't turn it up. Don't touch the EQ. This is how A&R guys are gonna' hear it."

Wow, ok.

So we're driving along and I'm waiting for him to come unglued. I mean, I'm thinking, 'yep - hit after hit,' or something foolish like that! On occasion he nods his head, or tilts it slightly to one side while possibly releasing what could be interpreted as a slight grin; but other than that, nothing.

CD gets done - nothing.

(Awkward)

So we head to a taco joint and sit down to eat. And he says....

"Listen, you have diamonds. There's no doubt. Diamonds."

I'm thinking, "OMG, is he really saying this? Ferrarri's, mansions, private jets..."

"But..."

(Geo's, double-wides, greyhounds...)

"You need to polish them."

Crash, bang, boom. Huh? What? But I thought I had diamonds??!!

He continued, "It's as if you pull a diamond out of the dirt, but never polish it."

Fast forward a few years...

I think I finally get what he was saying! There's the art of songwriting...pulling the song 'out of the ground.' Whether or not is a diamond is not the point here - (BTW, most are NOT!)

But the craft of writing is the polishing process. It's removing the impurities. It's making it shine! 

How does that translate to writing?
- Analyze the lyric. Does your story make sense? Are all the tenses correct? Is there tension that the chorus resolves? Does each line stand on its own? Does each line push to the hook? Is the hook original (google it)?  You get the idea.

 - Analyze the melody. Is is current? Is it fresh and original? Is it memorable? Is it easy? Does it fit the mood of the lyric? Does it fit the the mood of the music?  Is it consistent?

Analyze the music. Repeat aforementioned analysis.

Polishing is tweaking. Polishing is also re-writing. Polishing is refining. 

Polishing is GOOD!  


Some of you may be wondering, "I get the polish concept, but HOW do I pull out diamonds?'

- Learn how to dig!
- Get the right tools! (TAXI provides an extensive list of diamond mining materials)
- Put yourself in the right spot! You don't just dig anywhere!
- Start digging.
- Keep digging.
- Find others who will help you dig and dig together.

TAXI helps you with each step pf this journey.  If you're just beginning, they will guide you and teach you to become better (if you're willing to learn.) If you're established, TAXI will refine your skill set and develop your ability to regularly write good songs. Even if you're already a great writer, TAXI will make you better!

If our goal is to write songs that make it in the commercial market, songs that speak to the masses and connect with them emotionally; then we must embrace the polish.

I don't work for TAXI, but TAXI works for me!


15 comments:

  1. I really hope you keep this blog rollin'...it's quite entertaining and informative.

    Rutherford

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful blog post. This is absolute magic from you! I have never seen a more wonderful post than this one. You've really made my day today with this. I hope you keep this up! Nails online shop

    ReplyDelete
  3. I needed to thank you for this phenomenal read!! I unquestionably adored each and every piece of it. I have you bookmarked your site to look at the new stuff you post. taxi cab

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awesome dispatch! I am indeed getting apt to over this info, is truly neighborly my buddy. Likewise fantastic blog here among many of the costly info you acquire. Reserve up the beneficial process you are doing here. UFC 252 live

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's superior, however , check out material at the street address. vag helper cable for audi

    ReplyDelete
  6. Caring Cannabis Clones: It's very mportant for the cannabis clones to bring them carefuly at home and use with some defined steps. This article on Flora Terra about caring cannabis clones has some detailed tips. Follow them to make care of your clones.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your blogs further more each else volume is so entertaining further serviceable It appoints me befall retreat encore. I will instantly grab your rss feed to stay informed of any updates. outlook login

    ReplyDelete
  8. On this subject internet page, you'll see my best information, be sure to look over this level of detail. Gold Coast Decorative Concrete Resurfacing

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very good topic, similar texts are I do not know if they are as good as your work out. Buy Kratom

    ReplyDelete

  10. Are you looking for marijuana dispensary in Santa Rosa California? Flora Terra Santa Rosa’s best dispensary is located on Empire Industrial Ct road. We offer top notch marijuana products at very affordable prices. That’s why we have the title of best cannabis store in Santa Rosa.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Watch the 24 Hours Live TV Channels Streaming on the Internet. These days its getting popular to watch different TV channels online as the Internet streaming is getting popular day by day. That's the reason why cable network revenue got down a lot within a very short time.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such a very useful article. Very interesting to read this article.I would like to thank you for the efforts you had made for writing this awesome article. Google

    ReplyDelete
  13. Most of the time I don’t make comments on websites, but I'd like to say that this article really forced me to do so. Really nice post!
    utica marijuana dispensary

    ReplyDelete
  14. Casinos Near Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel - Mapyro
    The following transit lines have routes 강릉 출장안마 that pass near 경주 출장샵 Harrah's Cherokee 시흥 출장마사지 Casino & Hotel. Easton Avenue and Cherokee 수원 출장마사지 Circle. 동해 출장샵

    ReplyDelete

Other posts you might like...