up-fiddler
Taming the World--for now
The challenges were initiated when there was a period of drought here in the songwriting forum and no one had posted any new music for quite some time. Instead of writing music the majority of threads had turned into the “Why Does My Voice Suck?” and “How Do I Get Started?” type of dialogues. (I am NOT demeaning those type of threads because they do have value in a different way.) The first challenge was used to jumpstart everyone back into lyric production. Personally I have found that that act of critiquing several songs and being assured that you would get several equally honest reviews in return has been MANY times more useful than asking my family/friends, "Well, what do you think of this?" I hope this explains how we got to this point.
The nature of the challenges has been diverse and that fact makes it difficult to put them into an album with any kind of a cohesive theme. For me, the challenge songs have been mostly throwaways. I have done them for the sake of growth. By and large, I feel that the participants have done likewise. There is only one out of seven which I have used on an album.
I have had an idea batting around in my feeble brain for the last few days. I haven't tried anything with it yet so thought that it might be a good opportunity for a different type of challenge. So here it is for those of us who care to take the shot. If no one does take a shot at this one or if there is another who cares to step up and issue a different challenge that is fine. My feelings certainly won’t be hurt.
Many rhyme schemes, and lack thereof, are employed in the writing of lyrics. One which is almost NEVER used is the lowly Limerick. The Challenge is this…….the verses to the song must rhyme in a limerick pattern AND not be humorous/bawdy in the classic limerick fashion. (No man from Nantucket look-alikes!) In other words the first, second, and fifth lines of the verses need to rhyme and the third and fourth lines need to rhyme. (1,2,5 & 3,4) The song may certainly contain humor……just not limerick humor. Do NOT start with “There once was a man from….” There are no rhyme restrictions on the bridge or choruses. I think to do so would severely limit the songwriter and the material. Any Challenge would need a deadline and this one is February 28 at midnight local time. Songs may be entered as lyrics only, recorded music, or video productions depending on the writer’s time, ability, and resources. The hard part of the Challenges is waiting until all entries are in before responding with individual comments/reviews.
The nature of the challenges has been diverse and that fact makes it difficult to put them into an album with any kind of a cohesive theme. For me, the challenge songs have been mostly throwaways. I have done them for the sake of growth. By and large, I feel that the participants have done likewise. There is only one out of seven which I have used on an album.
I have had an idea batting around in my feeble brain for the last few days. I haven't tried anything with it yet so thought that it might be a good opportunity for a different type of challenge. So here it is for those of us who care to take the shot. If no one does take a shot at this one or if there is another who cares to step up and issue a different challenge that is fine. My feelings certainly won’t be hurt.
Many rhyme schemes, and lack thereof, are employed in the writing of lyrics. One which is almost NEVER used is the lowly Limerick. The Challenge is this…….the verses to the song must rhyme in a limerick pattern AND not be humorous/bawdy in the classic limerick fashion. (No man from Nantucket look-alikes!) In other words the first, second, and fifth lines of the verses need to rhyme and the third and fourth lines need to rhyme. (1,2,5 & 3,4) The song may certainly contain humor……just not limerick humor. Do NOT start with “There once was a man from….” There are no rhyme restrictions on the bridge or choruses. I think to do so would severely limit the songwriter and the material. Any Challenge would need a deadline and this one is February 28 at midnight local time. Songs may be entered as lyrics only, recorded music, or video productions depending on the writer’s time, ability, and resources. The hard part of the Challenges is waiting until all entries are in before responding with individual comments/reviews.
You are driven (Pun 
