Composition contest observations
I love good songwriting contests. Bring out the best in songwriters because the contest deadline gives them something to write about.
However, I am amazed at how many people put pen to paper and do it. It’s fantastic. You can also hear some wonderful talents.
Anyway, let’s go back to the list of common songwriting flaws from the judges’ point of view.
Please do not take this list as an absolute truth. These points are just observations I have made followed by some suggestions on how to approach the points.
1. Lots of cliches and clichés in lyrics.
It amazes me that we are all unique, special and different and yet when we write a love song, for example, everything sounds the same lyrically.
We as songwriters need to quiet our minds and listen to the true essence of ourselves. Only then can we write a song from our own unique and different perspectives. However, it takes a lot of practice to get to that stage.
2. Clumsy lyrical delivery.
The rhythm of the lyrics and melody is mixed and the song does not have a natural flow. It is as if there are too many words in the song and the writer is having a hard time exploring all the ideas.
Remember, a song is most effective when it comes to a concept / idea. If you find you have too many ideas in a song, pick one to run and write another song (or two) out of the leftovers.
3. Not enough attention was paid to the format of the song.
There have been many times when I have been listening to a song and have said to myself ‘there should be a bridge here’, or a chorus has been written that does not stand out enough.
It’s worth getting an idea of what a verse, chorus, pre-chorus, and bridge do and how you can use them.
4. Songs last too long.
This is also mainly a question of format, but sometimes it can be said that there is a hymn phrase that the composer loves because it is repeated over and over and over and over again (you get the idea) again.
There is nothing wrong with a long song as long as the journey and the story are there for the listener. If you say that after 3 and a half minutes you are starting to repeat things and your idea runs out then the song ends.
5. The times of the past, present and future are mixed.
Be careful not to mix up your verb tenses when you are telling the story in your song. This sends a confusing and confusing message to the listener.
People want to be led by the hand and guided on a little journey, unless you are the composer equivalent of Quentin Tarantino, you must be aware of how the story goes chronologically.
There you have it, a short list of things to consider.
Practice, practice and practice your craft, have fun with it, share it with others and when a songwriting contest comes around, do your best and give it a try.
You have nothing to lose and much to win.