http://mountainsongmusic.net/news.html Mountain Song Music: Sonja S. Key: Articles Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:23:55 -0800 http://mountainsongmusic.net/news.html#9 First Song

Has God given you a song? Has He given you a verse, chorus or a phrase, but you struggle to complete it? Can’t seem to get the words down on the page? Or maybe, you know God wants you to write songs for the Christian Community, but you don’t know where or how to get started.

I faced these same problems when I first began to write songs. I’ve been to several seminars and conferences on Christian songwriting. When asked how to write songs, songwriters focus more on the spiritual side of things emphasizing developing a close relationship with the Lord than on the “craft” of songwriting.

Developing a close relationship with the Lord is absolutely necessary to great Christian songwriting, but I needed information about the “craft.”

Songwriting conferences and seminars don’t offer classes on developing the “craft” of songwriting. Honing your craft comes from personal study, writing a lot of songs, and getting professional critiques on your work.

But first, you must write a song.

Christian Songwriting begins with “Inspiration.” God drops a phrase into your spirit and you think “this would make a great song.” But it’s just a phrase.

The phrase has to be developed.

Or maybe you have a full chorus. Verses have to be written that support and lead up to the “chorus.”

If you have neither of the above, choose a scripture for a starting point. One which has touched your heart during your personal devotions or from a sermon.

Now you have “Inspiration.”

My song “Ascribe to You” was inspired from the scripture I Chronicles 16:29.

"Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name”¦"

My first thoughts were, “Yes Lord, I will ascribe to You the glory due Your name.”

Those thoughts formed the main line of my chorus.
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