Hey songwriters, At the first Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle meeting of 2016, just about everyone started the year with a “key change.” Call it an easy songwriting trick, a musical modulation designed to hold listener attention or the awe-inspiring moment when a song explodes into unforgettable dimensions. Several good examples were played by members. In an […]
On Saturday November 5th, Mike Hickman, Sue Gartland and Brian Price appeared on WPTS radio’s Saturday Light Brigade to talk about the upcoming Circle’s release of the annual compilation CD. Sue and Brian played a few choice songs, and along with Mike they discussed the Songwriter’s Circle, the CD release, and other topics. You can catch the […]
Hey songwriters, Chatty might be the best way to describe the final Songwriters Circle meeting of 2015. Twenty-one members, including two new to the group, traded new and unfinished songs and coached those searching for lyrical inspiration. Despite some insightful song critiques, extracurricular gabbing of the non-songwriting kind occasionally distracted from the purpose of the […]
Hey songwriters, Sorry to get this out late. I’ve been slammed. “Death” works. With 20 songwriters in attendance at the Nov. 3 meeting of Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle, just about everyone showcased a song about or including death. Four first-timers participated as the Circle also revisited last month’s assignment — detailing individual songwriting processes — and […]
Hey songwriters, Each of us has a songwriting process, whether we think much about it or not. At the Oct. 6 meeting of Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle, 20 members explained 20 approaches to songwriting or relationships with their music, and showcased songs written in those ways. Debbi Pace (woodrose2007@verizon.net) offered a featured set that was finger-pickin’ […]
Hey songwriters, There may be as many ways to write songs as there are songwriters. At the Sept. 1 meeting of Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle, 20 members (including four newcomers) talked about how songwriting methodology impacts the song. Which led to the optional songwriting assignment for the Oct. 6 meeting: think about how you write what […]
Hey songwriters, Four new names were added to the members’ list following a Circle meeting Aug. 4 that workshopped some interesting songs and featured articulate discussions about the artistry, craftsmanship and communication potential of songwriting. Performing on voice, guitar and percussion, Brian Price (brianpriceprodinc@mac.com) played a well-constructed featured set preceding the open stage. Pat Loughlin […]
Hey songwriters, Lots of good songs, insightful critiques and interesting discussion were shared with three new members at the July 7 meeting of Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle. Mike Suley (Msuley78@gmail.com) showed off a half-hour of smartly written originals in the featured set before a jam packed open stage. Brian Price (brianpriceprodinc@mac.com) will be the featured songwriter […]
Hey songwriters, Is it better to write for the arrangement you envision or for one singer, one instrument? Should you play for no pay? If you’re going to rhyme, when, where and how? Those questions and more were discussed by 14 songwriters, including two new members, at the June 2 meeting of Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle. A diminished […]
Hey songwriters, Good songs, good people and lots of good conversation about songwriting.Tuesday’s meeting of Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle attracted three new members and some interesting songs that included elements that were new to the songwriter, as per the suggested songwriting assignment. Karl Bailey (karl.f.bailey@verizon.net) always puts on a good show — his featured set featured original songs […]
