Thoughts on Writing & Composing



Because I am a very lousy violinist, I have a strong desire to sing the instrumental tunes I cannot play. And I really love to play. I find that many instrumental tunes are so interesting harmonically and melodically. This has led me to writing lyrics to instrumentals.  Certainly writing lyrics to instrumentals is nothing new. I take my leads from my favorite lyricists, Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross. I could go on and on describing how much I love the lyrics of other people.  Lyricists like S. Cornfield who wrote the lyrics to the Keith Jarrett tune, "Memories of Tomorrow," or one of the funniest and coolest lyrics to the Thelonius Monk tune, "Well You Needn't," which (with lyrics) is called "Its Over Now," written by Mike Ferro.

Writing lyrics for existing instrumentals is like a crossword puzzle of sorts, an interesting exercise in telling a story without damaging the melody. Not all instrumentalists like this exercise but, being a singer, I love it. I only hope I do the tunes I write lyrics for the justice they deserve.

Since I majored in music in high school and college, and since I have retained a smidgen of music theory since then, my writing desires are not limited to lyrics alone. My music theory teacher generally gets an ear full and an e-mail full whenever I am in the midst of solo writings. Fortunately, I have also enjoyed partnership writing, a bit easier, and one of my favorite ways of writing.

In addition to writing song form, I have in the works two (adult) children's stories, "My Little Heart, Ruthie," and "The King of Pentacles," both of which are waiting patiently for me to find the time and space in which to finish them.



Finally, I believe that choreography is just another form of writing and, since I started as a dancer, I still dance in the living room when not in dance class. This form of my writing no one might ever see. But I have enjoyed many hours writing with my body to the music of Dave Grusin, particularly back when I was a dance teacher. To me, Pat Metheny's music sounds like it was written for ballet dancers. I have enjoyed many choreographic moments with the music of Pat Metheny . . .  and so has my living room.

 
©2007 Photographs by Janine Stengel