Summer-Fall 2009: The Bridge

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Songs from 2009 Summer Workshops
I Wrote a Hit Song! Contest Winner
Summer-Fall Songwriting Challenge
Poll: Name That Bridge


Songs from 2009 Summer Workshops
My workshop students wrote some fabulous songs this summer! It was a rainy July here in Maine, and that seemed to put them in the mood to write slow, beautiful songs with amazing melodies. Please take a moment to listen to Volcano and Shooting Stars. My classes worked so hard on these songs, and I'm so proud of them!


I Wrote a Hit Song! Contest Winner

Congratulations to Romany, age 10...Romany wrote a hit song!

Romany, from Queensland, Australia, wrote a song called "Time Will Fly" and you can view the lyrics *and* listen to her sing at the I Wrote a Hit Song! webpage. What a beautiful tune! Please stop by and leave a comment for Romany to let her know how much you enjoyed her song.


Songwriting Challenge: The Bridge

Our Songwriting for Kids Vol. 2 class spent some time this summer learning about and working on an important part of modern songwriting: THE BRIDGE.

In the Vol. 1 class, we learned about VERSE and CHORUS which are the building blocks of popular music. But lots of modern songs also have a BRIDGE. Just like a real-life bridge that takes you from one side to another, a musical bridge brings to to a completely different place in the song.

Here's an example. Listen to Bill Withers singing one of my favorite songs, Lean On Me. Pay close attention and see if you can hear how the melody (the part you can hum) and the rhythm change the minute he starts singing "Call on me, brother, when you need a hand..."



Did you hear how the music went to a completely different place? That's the bridge!

Summer-Fall '09 Songwriting Challenge:
Can you write a song with a BRIDGE?

Here are some things to think about:

1. Take the melody someplace new. Is the chorus low? Sing high. Just make sure it's different.
   
2. Take the rhythm someplace new. Go faster, or slower, add some claps like in Lean On Me, some pauses, or even some foot stomping if necessary!
   
3. Don't forget to come back to the chorus, or another verse in the end.
   

Poll: Name That Bridge

I once got to spend 6 months living two blocks from this beautiful bridge. Can you guess where it is?

(Click for answer)
If you can't see the poll, just click here. (Once you vote, you'll be able to see other people's answers, too.)

Spring 2009: Look Around You!

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NEW SUMMER PROGRAMS!
I Wrote a Hit Song! Contest Winner
Spring Songwriting Challenge
Poll: What Did William Carlos Williams Eat?


SUMMER PROGRAMS: Register Now!
I'm excited to announce that we have two brand new additions to our summer programs this year. Songwriting for Kids Vol. 2 (K-3) and Poetry Writing for Kids (3-5). If you like to write, I hope you'll join us for one of our fun workshops. We'll learn how songs, stories, and poems are put together and have lots of fun creating our own! Sessions will be held the weeks of July 13th and July 20th, 2009. For more information, please visit the Songwriting for Kids website or download the 2009 brochure (.pdf).


I Wrote a Hit Song! Contest Winner

Congratulations to Chloe, age 10...Chloe wrote a hit song!

Chloe, from Renoldburg, Ohio, wrote a song called "Once Upon a Time" and you can view the lyrics at the I Wrote a Hit Song! webpage. I think it's great! Please stop by and leave a comment for Chloe to let her know how much you enjoyed her song.


Songwriting Challenge: Look Around You!

It's springtime, and after a long winter in Maine, I'm so glad to finally open the windows wide, take long walks, and take a good look at the changing world around me. Birds are starting to come back from the south and sing outside my window, trees are beginning to bud (and that means *leaves* and *green* will be here soon!), and little green sprouts are beginning to poke up from the ground.

All of these things can make great subjects for songs. The other day, I was watching a blue bird hop around from branch to branch, and this little rhyme popped into my head:

Hey little bluebird
What you gonna' do?
I might have a little secret
That I could share with you

I jotted it down, and then I started to wonder what kind of secret it could be. Maybe the secret is the beginning of Spring. Or the beginning of a song!

Spring '09 Songwriting Challenge:
Stand outside for 10 or 15 minutes and Look Around You!
Can you write a song about what you see?

Here are some things to think about:

1. Pay attention to your senses. What do you SEE, HEAR, SMELL, or FEEL?
   
2. Let your imagination run wild. Do you live in the country? Try to imagine where that squirrel might be rushing off to. Do you live in the city? Try to imagine where the taxis are all rushing off to. What is that place like? Is it real, or is it a fantasy world?
   
3. Try it again. I bet if you try it again tomorrow, you'll notice something completely new.
   

Here's a video from Secret Agent 23 Skidoo that I like and thought you might like too (thanks to Zooglobble for the link):



Poll: What Did William Carlos Williams Eat?

April is Poetry Month, so here is one of my favorite poems by William Carlos Williams. Can you fill in the blank and guess what it was that the poet ate?

This Is Just To Say

I have eaten
the ______
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold


(Click for answer)
If you can't see the poll, just click here. (Once you vote, you'll be able to see other people's answers, too.)

Winter 2009: All You Need Is Love

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Reminder: the SFK Club Newsletter has switched to a quarterly schedule. We'll publish an issue in the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Here’s what’s in this quarter's newsletter (click a chapter title to go straight to that chapter):

I Wrote a Hit Song! Contest Winner
Winter Songwriting Challenge
Poll: Secret Love


I Wrote a Hit Song! Contest Winner

Congratulations to Lorenzo, age 8...Lorenzo wrote a hit song!

Lorenzo, from Westerville, Ohio, wrote a great song about leaving the past behind. You can view the lyrics at the I Wrote a Hit Song! webpage. Please stop by and leave a comment for Lorenzo to let him know how much you enjoyed his song.

If you'd like to enter the I Wrote a Hit Song! Contest, read the contest rules here. The next winner will be chosen randomly from all the entries and announced in the Spring newsletter. Good luck!


Songwriting Challenge: All You Need Is Love

What would you say if I asked you: what is the most popular kind of song?

It's pretty obvious. Just listen to the radio. Pop in a CD. Shuffle your iPod. Everybody's singing love songs! Love songs have been popular ever since music began.

Why? Because everybody needs a little love...even dogs, tomatoes, and planets (click on those words for videos of songs about each of those being loved or looking for love!)

Winter '08 Songwriting Challenge:
Can you write a Love Song?

There are lots of different ways to do it.
Here are some ideas:

• Write about lost love
• Write about found love
• Write about a silly love (anybody here love Skittles as much as I do?)
• Write about a serious love
• Make sure there are a few details that will make the listener understand why you are/were/or could be in love (what color are those Skittles? what color are her eyes? what color was the sky the day you lost your dog?)
  

Sometimes, you can just keep it simple. Check out this song by The Beatles. They don't get too complicated:

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

Poll: Secret Love

If you can't see the poll, just click here. (Once you vote, you'll be able to see other people's answers, too.)