JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum Why are there so many lyric-only folks?

FD, I don't think lyricists generally feel limited, especially if the composer has provided a leadsheet - which in my opinion is essential. I’ve worked both with and without leadsheets, and without is a nightmare. I don’t do it anymore.

Besides, why would the lyricist be looking to create her/his own rhythm if the melody has already been determined by the composer/vocalist? With a leadsheet (and of course the music), she/he can see exactly which and what kind of notes need to be written to. It's then a matter of finding the right words and creating a consistent/coherent lyric that matches the mood of the music. I feel it's unlikely that a lyricist would be required to write the melody. This is more often the task of the vocalist if not the composer.

There’s plenty a lyricist can do with a track, because often the composer already knows the theme/storyline he/she wants but needs the lyric to be written by a wordsmith, or needs someone to polish whatever he/she has already written. I’ve just finished a project like that, and have co-written a lot of lyrics that already had a melody.

There are many kinds of collaboration, all of which need to be discussed and decided upon from the beginning.

As I said in my previous post, I’m not after instrumentals & melodies. I can create my own melodies for my lyrics (though I don’t always do it ). I’d simply like a few simple backing tracks in different genres and time signatures to sing against so that I can more quickly get a feel for the melody as I’m singing. A backing track kind of ‘jump starts’ me. Even though that particular track won’t be a part of the resulting song.

I don’t agree that music and lyrics need to created at the same time for a song to be authentic. But as you say, it’s open to debate. No doubt others here will chime in.

Donna