Song Club #61: Other People
Writing songs and making music with folks who ain't you
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One of the true gifts of my life has been the opportunity to make and play music with other folks. From various bands to long distance collaborations, I have sought out and been lucky enough to find musical fellowship.
The luck part is important to point out. You can seek collaboration and community around music and not find it. You can throw an ad on Craigslist and receive only replies that make you uncomfortable. You can find yourself kicking around the edge of a scene, trying to fit in and never quite achieving it. You can have awkward jams for years.
Regardless, it’s worth trying to find a way to play music with or around other people. I would go so far as to say it’s a thing all people should try to do. Sing-alongs and open mics feel a lot like church, without the dogma. They are animating and heart-opening.
This week’s ‘Entry Points’ are all low(ish) barrier ways to find musical collaboration or community.
I truly hope you do.
Lucy
‘Entry Points’
#1
Song design: Have a friend give you a ‘brief’ for a song they want you to write. Write it. Share it with them. Laugh about it.
#2
Party guitar: Learn a couple of classics. Next time you’re at a house party, see if you can get a sing-along going.
#3
Open mic: Try going to one and performing. Challenge yourself to perform newer, more vulnerable work. Be as present as you can when others share their work.
#4
Same prompt, different song: If you have other friends who write music, write together to the same prompt and get together to share your results.
#5
Long distance co-write: Use voice notes to co-write a song with a friend. Start with a chorus or verse, then pass the song back and forward until it’s finished.
What is your current musical community and collaboration like? How would you like it to shift?