TAXI's Robin Frederick discusses Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting with Michael Laskow

[edabuyen]

Thank you how about my rough recording senior citizens? please kindly help.I am 64 years old composer of songs for the elders here philippines.I am the first ever composer of senior citizens song for the elders. I play music by ear only.

[jdsongwriter]

I miss your songwriting class! I hope things are going well! Watch out for a new pop song coming soon. I plan on purchasing your book on writing for TV and film. That has to be a great book! JD

[UrinationNation]

She's wrong, common experiences in the human condition bind us all together, where as writing a song about how it's hard to eat 20 hot dogs in one sitting may not resonate in certain parts of Africa, it will sure a hell sell in our white world. So this crap about having to fill in all the gaps neatly so that everyone gets it, is nonsense. It's not that people don't get it it's that they have heard it so much that they totally get it and are sick of hearing it. Stop writing according to formulas!

[marconuovo]

I tell you this boys n girls: there are no rules. Play what you feel, write what you live.

If there's power in it, it will resonate with other people, 'cause that's all there is.

Best2U,

Marco Nuovo

[wildmanchris200]

Never imagined 'd see the Taxi staff on You Tube!!!

Hello, from Wild Man Chris!!!

[firstcat]

I heartily disagree. The listener is free to internalize things like "I remember that night" to their own personal experiences. Specifications in the lyrics are not the same things as hooks. If any of this lyrical business is even noticed by the listener, the songwriter is already more than 50% there, as someone is already paying attention.

[muffex3]

wow, well said. really well said o_O

[zaenzaen]

I bought the book...good insights.

Learning and creativity go together.

[dwightcasey]

I've read her book and met her in person. Her advises make sense, but I would prefer something more creative then a re-write of "You've lost that loving feeling" and "Unchained melody"(awful title, BTW)

[jpsmart59]

The music industry is one big con and it cons the young teens and the artist rides on it until he is thrown aside in a year or two then the next teen idol comes along to take his place. Also, the worst songs become hits by the same market after promoting it on the TV and radio, etc. The rappers just rap and that is not true talent or music even though you may find a few with real talent. There, I said enough.

[scatteredprojects]

Its not a con, its a game, if you arent willing to play the game, then your going to be a spectator. I don't see why people get so mad about 'new' stuff comming out. Really, do you want to hear the same musicians with the same style year after year after year? If so put your ipod on loop. Most, not all, but most well known musicians got that way because they are talented. This goes for underground artists as well. You can't keep doing something if it dosent make you money. Its part of life.

[jpsmart59]

I don't want to listen to half of these new musicians. Give me the old ones like MJ, Lennon and McCartney, Bacharic and Donny Osmond...lol I am exargerrating a little. Music shouldn't be discarded after a month or two. It is all controlled by the Ilumaniti anyways, music industry and media.

[scatteredprojects]

Thats why they make oldies stations. =p

I actually prefer new music over old most the time. Music has to evolve onward, even if it means a couple of mutant gene pools squirming about. But old and new, you will always have to sift thru the mud to find the gold. I half way agree with the industry control thing and half way dont. Seems like most musicians are musicians based on family and who they know. I also think the ones that get disposed of got like that cause it was their time to go.

[AdrianWaitemusic]

Yes, but unfortunately, there seems to be sooo much more mud to dig through.

[scatteredprojects]

haha, true true. Heres to really big shovels! =D

[fenderjazzthunder]

this is what happens to you when you live in hype land, nothing. yeah that's right NOTHING!

[TuRdSandwitch18]

good advise! I think it has 2 b specific but general

[12thDecember]

I'm going to agree up to a point, which is that if you make the song too specific, the listener won't be able to insinuate their own attitudes and emotions into it. When I hear "She's In Love With The Boy," I think it's a nice story, but it's got nothing to do with me because it's too specific. When I hear "Wide Open Spaces," I love the song because it invites identification with seeking freedom.

"The Gambler" has specifics *and* an overall theme, but it needed Rogers to make it a hit.

[annstewart82]

I'm a christian songwriter...how do I get my music out to people?

Music is more of blessing when you share it with people.

[12thDecember]

Take it to every church you know, and if it's good, it will find its way.

Make a video and post it on YouTube. Don't worry about copyright; you're protected by digital production. Or copyright it if you prefer, you can find info on how to do that online.

Best of luck.

[soulballet]

pray

[zoodynoody]

I just got my first deal, thanks to what I learned from Robin's book. She knows what she's talking about. I'm planning on staying tuned...

[miroxp]

What exactly this woman knows about songwriting and all those dreamsellers at TAXI and the likes It has less to do with talent and craft and much more about who you know If i'm wrong why 98% of music out there is pure crap? They insist we must write GREAT songs-great songs happen rarely its all marketing and huge money to MAKE listeners believe they are listening to a great songs Ever asked yourselves why a producer with 200 million records sold would never give you advice or write such a book..

[PietyOFpaxson]

I'm with you on this one miroxp, no doubt. I think many agree, that is why underground music has become so popular. Unfortunately, the industry has already "brainwashed" so many.

[CovelliProductnz]

great advise

[SonicMelon]

What great advice! Keep em comin'!

[LeeshaHarvey]

This is great advice. I wonder, though, where the balance is between giving enough detail that the listener understands the story being told but not giving so many details and specifics that it alienates listeners because they can't relate. I've heard from other songwriting classes that there is some benefit to writing with common and relatable emotions but general enough that everyone thinks you're writing the song for THEIR specific circumstance. Does she talk about this somewhere? Thanks!

[tedsingingfox]

This is the smartest new voice about the songwriting CRAFT in decades. What an amazing woman. I've sat through 4-5 live seminars with Robin, and she's got more insider info to share about what's happening NOW in the songwriting biz than just about anybody else out there nowadays