Songwriting Secrets Interview changes...

Hi all,

Some of you already know this, but I thought I should just spell it out here in the blog.

The Songwriting Secrets Interview that I currently offer now has a LIFETIME worth of FREE updates.

I used to only offer Session Two for free, but now, for EVERY interview I do (with any high-profiled songwriter, producer or artist) it will be available to you for free on the download page.

Why am I doing this?

Because the interviews that I do are a pleasure for me to conduct. I don't consider it 'work' and therefore I don't see why I should be charging any more for it.

For those who don't know, there is already over 4 hours of content in the interview and I've just added another hour.

In a week or two, I will also be adding another hour. There is some great stuff and some real golden nuggets in the Songwriting Secrets Interview.

If you don't have it already, you can grab a copy here. (scroll down and click order).

Is everyone cool with this decision? :-)

Can I know your thoughts about this? Please post your comments below...

Shamir

PS. Please post your comments below, and try not to hit me with an email instead. I'm completely overloaded with emails at the moment! Thanks! :-)

Incorporating Metaphors in your Songwriting

For those who are new to the idea of a metaphor, here's a quick definition..

A metaphor is the expression of an understanding of one concept in terms of another concept, where there is some similarity or correlation between the two.

That was taken from an online dictionary.

Here's an extract metaphor taken from William Shakespeare:

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players
They have their exits and their entrances

Now there are a gazillion metaphors used in several songs today. So many of them sound over-used and a bit too familiar. This doesn't mean it's a bad thing... but what this DOES do is open up a opportunity for us to get a little creative a think a little bit outside the box.

Before we set out to do this, let's check out these cool metaphors... (in bold)

- On and on the rain will fall like tears from the sun (Sting)

- They paved paradise and put up a parking lot (Joni Mitchell)

- Here abandoned in my fame, armageddon of the brain (Michael Jackson)

I discovered a nice little exercise recently that helped me create more metaphors then I could ever dream about. The original concept is by the author Pat Pattison.

Write down a list of adjectives on one side and nouns on another. Make sure these words are somewhat created in impulse ie. don't think about it, just write it down. Start with the adjectives...

For example:

Adjectives

smoky
refried
decaffeinated
hollow
understated

Then do the nouns... for example:

Nouns

conversion
railroad
rainbow
rainforest
eyebrows

You will find the two lists will sound very disjointed and will eventually make some pretty strange combinations. This is good.

Now, take a look at both of your lists side by side. Think about each combination for a minute. They should stimulate some pretty interesting possibilities.

Take ANY combination and try to write s sentence or short paragraphs from it.

Like this:

"Since I got your phone call, everything seems dull. My day has been bleached of sound and color. Even the rainbow this afternoon has been decaffeinated".

You want to write down at least 5 short paragraph incorporating a combination from your list.

So, I would probably write the remaining short paragraphs with these combo's:

smoky conversation
refried railroad
hollow rain forest
understated eyebrows

Now, we would jumble them up into different combinations (for example smoky eyebrows) and write a sentence or short paragraph for each one. The point of the exercise is to see what overtones (linking idea's, metaphors) are produced by this blind striking of notes.

Some wonderful accidents can happen this way :-)

Remember, we aren't writing a song here. We're focusing on metaphors which we will essentially be able to use at some point when writing. You can perform this exercise as many times as you like.

You will soon be pouring with metaphors.

Feel free to comment...

Enjoy,

Shamir
www.SongwritingTipsOnline.com/Secrets

My Holiday and Possible Future Plans...

It's official. I'm going to Spain on Monday (with my family) and I'm going to completely unwind for a full 8 days. Sun, sea and sand. Oh, and... apparently... songwriting.

In all honesty I didn't want to write anything, but my sister insisted on taking her guitar. She can't live without it. To be honest, I can't live without my piano. But that's a tough one to carry around ;-)

I'm also going to take some time to reflect on what other products I'd like to create. I'm not talking about audio interviews, (although I will be doing more of those) I'm more talking about getting involved in other sectors of the music world.

What only various people know, is that aside from the songwriting training, I'm also a vocal coach, a piano teacher and a producer.

I love to watch people learn how to play the piano. I love to see people progress with their songwriting skills - and I love to hear people improve on their vocal abilities and grow more stronger in their performances.

So, I have many things to ponder over.

I have many things I want to share to the world and I want to do it sooner rather than later. So I guess, I'm kinda' declaring to you my commitment to actually 'doing something about it'.

Most people would probably think I'm stupid for telling my plans - "why the heck are you telling your subscribers and customers about your future products?"... (that's what I hear them scream).

Well, why not? I'm looking to provide VALUE here. Some hardcore value-driven courses that I feel are very much needed in the music world today.

I meet people every week who are in real need of crafting their skills as songwriters, singers, musicians and performers. I'm gonna step up to the plate and try and do something about this.

Anyway, sorry for the rant :-)

I'd like to hear your thoughts about this. Please feel free to post a comment.

Enjoy,

Shamir

PS. For those who purchased the Songwriting Secrets Interview, the special Q&A bonus (session two) will be on the download page at the end of June, or at the latest very early July.

PPS. If you want to purchase it, go here... SongwritingTipsOnline.com