SONGWRITING SEGMENT 4

  1. What is the easiest vowel to rhyme?
    1. It would have to be “e”: Not only are there countless words ending in “e”, you can also choose other words ending in “y”, “ly”, “ing”, “ech”…

Examples                “ed”                       “ly”

Beseech                  Bleed                     Aimlessly

Breach                   Concede                 Ardently

Each                      Creed                     Boundlessly

Reach                    Deed                      Breathlessly

Speech                   Exceed                   Brotherly

Teach                     Feed                      Inwardly

Preach                   Heed                      Worthlessly

Intercede               Yearningly

Plead                     (hundreds of “ly”)

Read

Need

  1. B) Then, “e” rhymes can be found abundantly in words ending in “ty”, “ry”.
  2. C) Words ending in “e” seem endless:

Agree, Be, Decree, Free, Flee, Gethsemane, Knee, Sea, See, She, Thee, Tree.

  1. D) Some singers don’t enjoy singing lines that end in “e”—it’s a placement issue: “e” comes through the nose. I’ve heard singers try to place “e” a little lower and it comes out “eh”—sounds bad to me.

Some Final Notes

  1. When inspiration strikes just right, don’t’ think about rules, structure, “do’s and don’ts.” You will lose the spontaneity in what you need to say.
    1. Get it down instantly: you’ll have plenty of time to do what we call “polish” your song. Trying to do everything perfectly at the beginning may cause you to lose your inspiration, or lose a line, or a word that was spectacular!
    2. The point: Yes, you want to write poetically, but phrases you would not use in common, every day speaking usually don’t work in a song.
    3. Old hymns, some of them, use old English, almost Elizabethan Style, and they work well because first, the melody is characteristic of that era—during the period of Elizabeth I, Queen not England and Elizabeth II Queen of the United Kingdom.
  2. This brings me to the last note. Actually, I have written in this style: “How Blessed” is written with a flavor of old world elegance. It worked. Try writing in all styles: Southern Gospel, Hymn, Contemporary; a style that mixes these three, most people call it, “middle of the Road” style.
    1. Then there’s Blue Grass, Country and Convention styles. Convention style is old quartet and choir style such as “I’ll Fly Away,” “Victory In Jesus.” Certain lyrics fit certain styles. You will hear this instinctively. I would love to record one of your songs someday!!