Archive for July, 2010
Pearls of Songwriting Wisdom
Pete Seeger once said that “all songwriters are links in a chain,” and his body of work defends that statement. Known as a legendary folk singer, Seeger turned to roots music and storytelling tradition as sources for inspiration. He helped bring classic American spirituals back into the public consciousness during the 1960s. Along with fellow folk musician Joan Baez, Seeger ushered in an era of musical activism by reviving “We Shall Overcome.”
Seeger’s statement suggests an understanding and appreciation of musical history. Listeners can hear evidence of his dramatic influence on the radio today. Baby boomer troubadours like Joni Mitchell and Bruce Springsteen continued in Seeger’s songwriting tradition by penning tales of the less fortunate. Songwriting tips can’t be etched in stone because each artist taps into creativity in his or her own way. Take a lesson from Pete Seeger, however, and you won’t go far wrong.
One thing you will find that is popular in the Irish capital is traditional folk music. By going around the streets of Dublin like the Whelan’s in Camden Street, you will surely find traditional and folk music. This is one exciting spot has the best of Ireland’s talented folk performers.
A vast array of instruments are utilized in Irish folk music; and while fiddles and flutes are the first that come to mind, the banjo and guitar are now commonly used as well. Some famous Irish bands who have been very successful in taking traditional Irish folk music to the world are the Clancy brothers, The Dubliners and The Chieftans, Tommy Makem and Altan. These bands were even given tribute by the Irish post office by means of coming up with stamps of these iconic bands. Because of the distinct and mesmerizing sound of traditional Irish folk music, The Chieftans music, as well as The Dubliners’ and Clancy Brothers’ has been very popular all over the world.
Before the computer age, upstart songwriters had it tough. Options for laying their music down on tape were extremely limited. They had to scrimp and save just to afford some studio time to lay down a few tracks. Alternatively, they could utilize a four-track recorder to capture their work in grainy low fidelity. The rise of songwriting software programs has turned that entire paradigm on its ear.
These days, songwriters can record professional-quality material from the comfort of their own home. But recording isn’t quite the right word. They can tweak their sonic creations to a tremendous degree, making them sound as sparse or layered as desired. Such software programs make the life of a struggling musician a bit easier; the only thing they can’t do is guarantee a big record deal. And although some people enjoy the sterile sound of these recordings, many people still desire the raw nature of Deering banjos and traditional folk and bluegrass tunes.