Comments on: Is Songwriting Communication or Expression? http://www.songwright.co.uk/2009/07/29/is-songwriting-communication-or-expression/ Ideas and Advice for Songwriters (formerly songwright.co.uk) Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:50:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Tom http://www.songwright.co.uk/2009/07/29/is-songwriting-communication-or-expression/comment-page-1/#comment-382 Tom Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:15:47 +0000 http://www.songwright.co.uk/?p=422#comment-382 I know what you mean, Nolan. It definitely depends on the context that you're composing for. "I’m not the type to express myself and my feelings to strangers." - Me too. I think often people who are naturally introverted find artistic ways of expressing themselves. What do you think about my idea that communication isn't quite the right word for this? I know what you mean, Nolan. It definitely depends on the context that you’re composing for. “I’m not the type to express myself and my feelings to strangers.” – Me too. I think often people who are naturally introverted find artistic ways of expressing themselves.

What do you think about my idea that communication isn’t quite the right word for this?

]]> By: Nolan http://www.songwright.co.uk/2009/07/29/is-songwriting-communication-or-expression/comment-page-1/#comment-381 Nolan Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:04:27 +0000 http://www.songwright.co.uk/?p=422#comment-381 Arguments can be made for and against both sides. I know that personally, I've written from both approaches. However, the music I record and perform live is there to communicate, whereas the expressive music is mostly for myself. But that has to do with my personality - I'm not the type to express myself and my feelings to strangers. I have no problems sharing ideas with them though. There are two schools though, and I can appreciate both. Arguments can be made for and against both sides. I know that personally, I’ve written from both approaches. However, the music I record and perform live is there to communicate, whereas the expressive music is mostly for myself. But that has to do with my personality – I’m not the type to express myself and my feelings to strangers. I have no problems sharing ideas with them though.

There are two schools though, and I can appreciate both.

]]> By: Tom http://www.songwright.co.uk/2009/07/29/is-songwriting-communication-or-expression/comment-page-1/#comment-375 Tom Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:01:44 +0000 http://www.songwright.co.uk/?p=422#comment-375 I'm not sure T.C. I think art is something different. Art evolved from a sort of pleasant misfiring of our ability to see patterns in the world. Any animal needs to be able to spot patterns, and it's helpful to over compensate eg. If I see something out of the corner of my eye, it's better to <em>assume</em> it's a predator and run away. If it is, I'm safe, if it isn't no harm done. Art (might have) evolved from that pattern recognition so that we enjoy the act of understanding patterns. And I think that's where it differs from communication. You can become lost in the patterns of a piece of music, take an enormous, almost physical satisfaction from seeing those patterns to the end. But I've felt that from music that hasn't communicated anything, in that it hasn't been a specific emotion, it isn't 'happy' or 'sad', and it has no specific lyrical message. All that has happened is that I've been swept up by the logic and patterns of the piece. I'm not sure that communication is the right word for that. I’m not sure T.C. I think art is something different.

Art evolved from a sort of pleasant misfiring of our ability to see patterns in the world. Any animal needs to be able to spot patterns, and it’s helpful to over compensate eg. If I see something out of the corner of my eye, it’s better to assume it’s a predator and run away. If it is, I’m safe, if it isn’t no harm done.

Art (might have) evolved from that pattern recognition so that we enjoy the act of understanding patterns. And I think that’s where it differs from communication. You can become lost in the patterns of a piece of music, take an enormous, almost physical satisfaction from seeing those patterns to the end.

But I’ve felt that from music that hasn’t communicated anything, in that it hasn’t been a specific emotion, it isn’t ‘happy’ or ‘sad’, and it has no specific lyrical message. All that has happened is that I’ve been swept up by the logic and patterns of the piece.

I’m not sure that communication is the right word for that.

]]> By: T.C. http://www.songwright.co.uk/2009/07/29/is-songwriting-communication-or-expression/comment-page-1/#comment-374 T.C. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:28:07 +0000 http://www.songwright.co.uk/?p=422#comment-374 Yes you are splitting hairs. Successful art communicates. Hopefully it communicates what the artist intended but great art communicates infinitely more. A work of art that does not communicate does not succeed. It fails. Be it a painting or a song. At least in my opinion. Yes you are splitting hairs. Successful art communicates. Hopefully it communicates what the artist intended but great art communicates infinitely more.

A work of art that does not communicate does not succeed. It fails. Be it a painting or a song. At least in my opinion.

]]>