Some of Dave Koller

Some of Dave Koller's original music....

Beyond The Shadows (911 Tribute)
Princess
Torn Pockets
When I Think Of You
Don't Worry About Tomorrow
He's Still Here, But Not For Me

Songwriting 101... From where do songs come?

BY DAVID KOLLER FEB 2005

WHAT IT IS…

Songwriter/musician songwriting is a perception of one’s views towards the climate and environment of one’s social surroundings. It is conscious awareness of how to express emotions through a statement which may not otherwise be comfortably made openly in public. Whether the song has political or a sexual admission the song is a piece of one’s persona and individuality. When I write a song the first thing I do is pick up my instrument, in my case an acoustic guitar which serves as my sounding board to how I can find the right words to say what I mean. Whether you’re into rock, metal, rap, hip-hop, r&b, blues, country or punk, your musical hook should be the first step in catching a person’s attention. Most songs have a musical hook, a memorable lick or music riff that will put the song out to people. Not to get too technical, examples are Led Zeppelin's “Stairway To Heaven”, the first 2 chords are always a dead give away to the a minor chord which is used at the fifth fret on a guitar to introduce the song. Another example is “rem's” song “Losing My Religion” which has a melodic introduction and begins with a strong statement in words, I like Nirvanas way of writing songs and I try to come up with a musical hook which is different than what I have heard so far. Once the hook is built , it can be 1 chord or 5; the musical key of the hook is the way the chords will come out best in writing the music part of the song. If you start in a G major chord than try a C major chord or a B minor chord. Most chords will match with your riff if it sounds good to you. If the chord doesn’t match with the next and becomes tedious try something else but if your satisfied with the musical hook than stick with it.

THEN WHAT…

Once you have come up with the hook than the song melody will inflect the mood of the song, if it starts sounding dark like a creed song than write a lyric around a mysterious subject, like love in turmoil or a positive message like love which can be found easier next time. If the song takes on a happy type melody than write about an experience which made you glad you were around to help someone else with their life. Try to structure your song by comparing your originality to your favorite artist. Every artist had a mentor or an idol to look up to and every generation after will have their own favorite artist they followed in their career. The Beatles liked Elvis, and u2 liked the Beatles and now the young bands like u2 so on it goes.

A THEME OR A MESSAGE…

A song should be expressed with a point in mind. If you have an idea, for example like should I knock on her door, will she be home, will she open up the door..... Just go for I will knock on her door. Be to the point in your idea and the best way to grab attention with a lyric is to go for the stomach punch up front and not hold back. This will make it easier for you to come up with a title for your song. “I will knock on her door” could lead to a title like “She gave me an answer" since the action of knocking on her door will either produce a response of “no” or “yes”; it gives the listener to your words a sort of surprise but a definite ending. If you have an idea like I waited all night, should I see her, or will I stay than the point of lyric would be I will be here for her. It gives a positive affirmation to the person trying to get over a relationship. Once your song takes form most songs start with a verse, than go to the title which is the chorus than back to a second verse and than an instrumental solo part than back to the chorus. This usually is a commercial choice. The best time for a song should be under 3 minutes.

SAVE IT ON TAPE…

Once your song is through and you’re satisfied with it, put it down on tape. If you can use a professional studio to demo the song, and you are an individual songwriter, it is easier to make demos since you are the only decision maker of how you want your song produced. If you're in a band, it’s more difficult, more people are involved with the feedback they give to how they believe the song should be produced and arranged. Pick a studio with its own sound equipment to keep it economical for you. $25 to $50 an hour is a good rate. Make sure you tell the producer to whom you wish to present the song. An artist, a publisher or an a&r person at a record company and the producer will bring out the best of the song's direction.

NOW I ARE ONE…

Now that you have a finished studio demo the next step is who to sell the song to. From my own experience 95% of all artists write their own material so knocking on their doors will be useless, the best way is to play live. If your a solo songwriter try to play at a local coffee house or club that has a talent night, play 1 song only on stage, it should be your best song because giving the crowd too much will turn them off unless they really are turned on by your first song then your wasting your time. If they like your first song performance than tell them that you have this song or any other of yours on a studio c.d. which you are trying to expose to the music industry. Then if they want to hear the song you demo-ed, play it for them. Give the audience little tastes of your talent than you will know very early if you are on the right track with your material. Now the best way for a songwriter to sell his song is to take it to a music publisher who is interested in that genre of music. Focus on the style of music you write, if its rap, take it to "P-diddy Combs" in New York; if its country take it to a publisher in Nashville.

WHY WE ARE HERE, DOING WHAT WE’RE DOING…

If you’re online it’s easier to gets lists and e-mail publishers about your song, the title and which artist it may be similar to. But the best way is to perform live. If it's hard to do the act by yourself try to find a collaborator to perform with you, another musician who likes what you do and believes in it also. If the person you find is trying to gain attention by using your credibility than dump them. When egos get involved with the creative process it never works out. The perfect partner would be a team player, one who won't be demanding on your time for sessions and one who had their own ideas to contribute without hanging on to your shirt tails. Jewel started out in solo acoustic gigging, Simon and Garfunkel were a perfect duo team. Now-days it’s mostly bands making it in music but if you’re a determined songwriter then you can express your ambition and act on your motivation. The best way again is to perform live, and for the most part great bands like Little Richard to The Doors were discovered in clubs doing their thing. Do everything but lip-synch. Otherwise listen and learn from your audience; those are the people who will become your fan base and who will buy your music. Good-luck!

David Koller, Songwriter/Musician/Actor

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