Music & lyrics

Warning: an extra unnecessarily long post - one of the ramifications of not blogging for a while.

There are a number of things I've been thinking about lately that kind of fall under this theme of music and lyrics because these thoughts kind of intertwine with one another in some shape or form.

In case you don't really know me, I like to sing...a lot. I sing almost everywhere/anywhere except the shower (ironic, right? That's where most people actually like to sing). I try to sing softly so that people won't hear me, and there are times when I'm aware that people are listening and I want to stop so they don't get annoyed or think I'm some weirdo, but I just can't help it sometimes. Singing gets me from place to place, bridges the gaps that don't make sense to me, and it's just fun. And singing softly just makes me feel like I'm holding back.

Although, there are some other things that hold me back from singing all out. One is the fact that I'm terrible at recalling lyrics unless I'm very purposeful and disciplined at learning them. I've sung/played Lifehouse's Everything song a bajillion times, but I still don't know the words or the order of the verses by heart. I don't even think I know the lyrics to my own songs.

Or at least, I'm not very confident that I do know them. I haven't disciplined myself to try and play & sing the songs without the words/chords in front of me. I probably do know them. I just don't think I do.

A couple of weeks ago I performed in Dickinson's Talent Show, playing one of my original songs, and I was a teensy bit frustrated at myself that I wasn't confident enough to play my songs without the pages in front of me. I feel like all other musicians can play their songs on the spot in a snap, but I have to have my computer in front of me to make sure I don't make a mistake.

Just typing all of this out makes me realize the simple solution is to practice. I need to practice playing/singing songs without the music. Duh.

I also feel like it's important because lyrics in general are really important to me. I love melodies and harmonies...but maybe it's because I'm more proficient in English than music because lyrics to me give music more depth and meaning. Instrumental music alone lets everyone take their own path to understanding, but lyrics kind of say, "Hey this is my story. Would you be willing to let me guide you through it? As you listen, can you see and feel what I see and feel?"

Although, the other thing that holds me back from singing all out is my guitar playing. I can manage to play and sing at the same time, but my mind is so concerned about my inadequate guitar playing that I don't focus as much on singing, which leads to more singing mistakes. If I had my way, I'd have an uber awesome guitar player that I could stick in my pocket and pull out anytime I wanted to sing a song. I only play guitar because I feel like I have to. The marriage of music and lyrics just isn't the same when you separate them. In the same way lyrics give music more depth of meaning, the right music gives lyrics a solid foundation and a vehicle that everyone can take a ride in.

I have some thoughts on Christmas songs and their lyrics, too. But I will save that for a different post.

Ugh. This post is getting way too long. I have more to say but I will say them later.